White Hot Summer Bead Theme

leaf pendant charm SHABBY wh... PalomaAntigua $3.85	wood buttons... set of 9 BIR... WoodsOfNarnia $9.98	WHITE - 4 x vintage style me... ciaocolor $3.40	Birch Logs Focal Bead humblebeads $12.00
Bird in Cage and Branches Ha... LittleLauraSti... $7.50	A Sparrow's Egg humblebeads $8.00	Old Lace White - 16mm Patina... missficklemedi... $13.00	Snow Bird bead Ceramic handm... BeadsBirdsandB... $14.00
Two Brass Dragonfly Charms -... PatinaQueen $3.50	assorted ivory white lace st... CatherineColeS... $2.50	Antique Dogwood Blossom Pend... humblebeads $12.00	Natural undyed sari silk rib... Crochetmushroo... $19.50
6 Feet White Glint Chain (WC... SupplyPusher $6.00	Set of three chapped white h... LuthienEf $7.00	SWOOPING bird charm, shabby... PatinaWorx $13.75	Calling All Angels Feather P... humblebeads $14.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

 

Is it hot enough for you?  I love the look of crisp summer whites when the tempatures are soaring.  

I'm thinking fluffy dandelions, feathers, queen's anne lace, white picket fences, sheets on a clothes line, delicate bird eggs, flower petals, birch tree forests, pieces of aged lace and jars of white buttons.  All images from my childhood summers and now they are seeping into my summer jewelry designs. 

Here is a fun collection of pendants and beads in subtle shades of white and cream, pairing my art beads with some of my favorite Etsy picks.

I love the idea of adding in ribbon, lace or chain in shabby chic hues to bring in some texture to your designs.  Gather together pearls, light blue lace agate, quartz and white milk glass to create monochromatic pieces.   

When the temperatures rise, do you lighten up your jewelry styles?  

Iced Lemon Bead Theme

I love the color palette from this month's challenge painting!  Here are some of my top picks that would fit with our theme.

MissFickleMedia, AslanCrafts, 

BEADiNtRiGuE and CapturedMoments

Starry Road Studio, ClassicBead, 

AtlantisGlass and KyliePerry

Have you entered our challenge yet?  I'm amazed by what I'm seeing so far!

To read more about our challenge and join in this month, visit here.

Bead Theme: Island Inspiration

My mind is only focused on one thing this week - tropical islands!

I'm loving ferns - I can't get enough of them! A fern is a hardy and ancient plant.  Some cultures use ferns to symbolizes new growth, strength and peace.  Not to mention they also fit in with this month's island theme!

Black Mud Studio, Speaking Your Truth

Humblebeads, Black Mud Studio

I'm daydreaming about beach combing.  Sand between my toes, the sound of the waves lapping at the shore, little treasures hidden among the beach pebbles - I could so be there right now! These beads have already beaten me to it. 

Miss Fickle Media, Humblebeads

seaurchin, Floridity

What are some themes or trends you are loving lately?

What's the Buzz? Bee Bead Round Up

I'm loving bees, beehives & honeycombs at the moment. 

From milky golden honey hues, to sunshine infused yellows these little bees and their accompanying accents offer a touch of whimsy for your spring and summer designs.

Here are some bee inspired art beads that I would pair together. 

Miss Fickle Media, Kerri Fuhr

Outwest, Kylie Parry

Kylie Parry, Gaea (Beads of Clay)

Hint, Humblebeads

Green Girl Studios, Elaine Ray

Kelley's Beads, Jangles

Mix your bee inspired art beads with warm brass findings, tiny metal bee charms, yellow onyz, citrine or yellow opal.  For contrast you could add in wood beads or smokey quartz. 

Tropical Island Bead Picks

Let's talk tropical!  I picked this month's challenge painting because: 

1. I'm ready for some serious color

2. I'm ready for tropical islands. 

Thankfully the tropical islands are my destination at the end of the month when I head out on the Bead Cruise.  The color, well there is no shortage of color here in the art bead world so let's celebrate those tropical hues today.

Let's get this party started - top left to right:

Jangles, Humblebeads

Cindy Gimbrone, Lynn Davis

Miss Fickle Media, Mary Harding

Marsha Neal, Creative Impressions in Clay

Kylie Parry, Pinocean

Classic Bead, Jade Scott

So go make with the fabulous and show us what you create for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge!  You could see your work here on Monday as a Featured Designer.

Bead Theme - July Challenge

Need a little inspiration for this month's challenge based on the cave paintings from the Lascaux Cave? Here are a few of my picks, enjoy the eye candy! Click on the links to go directly to the items listed below.

Zoa Art

Lisa Peters Art

Hint

Sue Beads

Green Girl Studios available from the BeadLady

Creative Impressions in Clay

Cindy Gimbrone

Jangles

ExpeditionD

Bead Theme - Circle, Circle, Dot, Square

Here is a bead theme inspired by our monthly challenge painting from Kandinsky. These are from our faithful contributors who bring you the art bead scoop 365 days a year!

Gem Glow Cobalt Blue Components from Lynn Davis.

Primary Colors Bead Set from Cindy Gimbrone Beads.

Can-Do Kandinsky from Humblebeads.

Twilight Zone Button from Creative Impressions in Clay.

Round Circles Charm from Jangles.

Can you believe today is the 12th of June! You don't want to miss entering in this month's challenge, check out all those great prizes from our sponsors. Add your entry to this weekend's to-do list. Happy Creating!

Seaworthy Beads!

I don't know about you, but with June just a few days away I'm ready to pack my beads and head to the beach. Unfortunately I will have to wait a bit longer before I'm walking on any sandy shores, in the meantime here are some of my favorite sea-inspired picks from Etsy.

Come on in, the water's fine! Let's jump in with SeaUrchin's Deep Ocean Pool pendant. I have a few of her beads and they are divine!

Tap into that inner mermaid with MamacitaBeadworks' Seaweed Pendant.

Feeling barnacle-y? I love SummerStudio's Sea Things Pendant.

This stoneware pendant from ArtisanClay reminds me dried sea salts, argh matey!

Ocean blue lampwork glass beads from HMB Studios looks like they were plucked straight from the deep blue sea.

Add in a few faux sea glass beads from KelleysBeads.

Who doesn't love a mythic sea creature? This metal Horse Play charm is from Hint.

And finally, my knobby urchin because every time I make one I feel like I'm at the ocean!