Beadphoria Beading Inspiration: Being Creative on Demand

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bead, beading, beading design, beading inspiration, beading techniques, beading tips, Beadphoria, Beadphoria.com, Beadphoria.wordpress.com, beads, Bracelets, creative beading, creativity, inspiration, jewelry design, jewelry making, make your own jewelry, Suzann Sladcik Wilson, www.Beadphoria.com

By Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

Recently, Beadphoria received an order for 28 bracelets due in 2 weeks. The catch? They all need to be custom and different.

Beadphoria loves a challenge, but being creative on demand can be difficult. Where to turn when the muse has seemed to stop whispering in your ear? Here are a few sources Beadphoria goes to.

Inspiration Journals –having a place to keep your ideas in when they come to you is helpful during dry times. You can use inexpensive wire bound notebook or sketch book. Sketch out color combinations, partial patterns, or finished pieces. Dating your ideas is a fun way to see how you have progressed.

Catalogs-The mailbox is almost stuffed with catalogs these days. If something catches your eye, even if it is just a color palette, cut it out and slip it into your inspiration journal.

Bead Stew- I have a bowl on my workbench that after my bead board gets too cluttered, everything gets dumped into it. Eventually, the beads go where they belong, but before then, the beads seem to sometimes magically mix together. Many deigns have been sparked from my “bead stew”.

Web sites – May websites now have beading inspiration at just a few clicks away. Some favorites are Fusion Beads, e-patterns central, and of course the Beadphoria Website.

Where do you turn to for inspiration?

If you have any questions about beading, or Beading Inspiration, please feel free to contact me at 224-305-3321 or Suzann@Beadphoria.com. Always happy to share the joy of beading with you, Suzann Sladcik Wilson of Beadphoria.com.

Beadphoria: Mind, Body, & Spirit – Beading Inspiration

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beading class, beading design, beading inspiration, beads, body, focal beads, inspiration challenges, jewelry design, mind, pendants, spirit beading, Suzann Sladcik Wilson, The Desert and the Ocean, www.Beadphoria.com

This Egyptian Necklace on display at the Art Institute in Chicago is a great source of inspiration

Beadphoria often hears the question “where can I find inspiration for my beading?” Here are a few ideas that Beadphoria relies on when working through an inspiration challenge.

Let your wardrobe be your guide – Chose a colorful favorite top or an outfit that could use some new life with a new piece of jewelry! Suzann Sladcik Wilson of Beadphoria’s first published piece “The Desert and the Ocean” was inspired by a patterned silk top that had a mix of aqua, brown, and off white.

Focus on a Focal – A strong pendant or vibrant focal bead can help guide you with color choices. They may give you ideas to mix colors you hadn’t thought of.

Come together! – Getting together with other beaders in a beading class will help you by seeing other people’s work. Their color mixes might be just what you are looking for. Also, your fellow jewelry artists might be able to give you advice to keep your creativity flowing.

Look to the past – Museums are a great place to find new ideas from old masters. Paintings and sculptures can challenge your perspective and enable you to see things in a new light. Some museums even have entire collections devoted to jewelry!

What are some sources you use for beading inspiration? Please share your comment below.

If you have any questions about beading, or beading inspiration, feel free to contact me directly at 224-305-3321 or Suzann@Beadphoria.com . Always happy to share the joy of beading with you, Suzann Sladcik Wilson of www.Beadphoria.com .