What Keeps Your Creativity Flowing? Plus, a Giveaway!

Win a Bead Buddy Junior and $50 Artbeads Gift Card

We’ve all been there. You’ve whipped out piece after piece of fabulous jewelry and then all of a sudden…you’re stuck. The creative ideas won’t come and all you’ve done for the past hour is push beads around the bead mat, hoping for inspiration to strike! When making jewelry, how can you keep the creativity flowing and overcome those blocks we all face from time to time? We’ve asked designers we work with and our own designers this question to help inspire you. Make sure to read all the way to the end to find out how you could win a $50 Artbeads gift card and a Bead Buddy Junior travel case to keep your creativity flowing!

Our own designer Cheri Carlson had this to say about finding creative inspiration:

I get energized when I see what others have created. Going to markets, galleries, antique stores. I used to be a magazine hound with clippings everywhere, but Pinterest is now my favorite tool for collecting all kinds of inspiration and it’s so organized – no clutter!

Lenka Bindzar, the founder of Raven’s Journey, designs amazing Czech glass beads. How does she keep the ideas coming?

I have a lot of practical tasks at work. We are a small business, so sometimes I have to get my hands dirty. My favorite part of the job is the creative side – when I have all of my “chores” done and it’s time to create, I’m very excited for the task.� My customers are also very inspiring with their amazing creations…Even though I know what I love, I want to create beads for more than one style of beading and their perspective is welcome and valued.

Lenka Bindzar and Cynthia Kimura
Lenka visiting with Cynthia at the Artbeads Cafe

Grace Ma of Grace Lampwork Beads is inspired by the colors of the glass she is constantly working with:

I think glass colors are like music notes. There are endless combinations in music, and the same goes for the glass colors. Playing with glass in the flame, you always can discover some surprising results like a child digging in the sand, picking up sea shells. It’s so fun. There’s a curious girl living in my heart. I just let her do whatever she wants, set her free, and let her have fun. Also, I ask my customers what they want. Always listen to your customers, they never go wrong.

Rio de Janeiro
Beautiful Colors in Grace Lampwork Beads

Nunn Design’s Becky Nunn is inspired by inspiring others:

The mission of Nunn Design is: Through collaborative relationships, Nunn Design inspires and nurtures creativity. Being true to this mission is a passion for me. When I’m developing new products, I am not just thinking about making beautiful findings. I think a great deal about how I am going to inspire others to create and how my customers are going to use the jewelry components. I find the aspect of designing components that a variety of jewelry artists are able to create with to be very creatively challenging.

Anne, the maker behind Gardanne Beads, takes inspiration wherever she can find it:

It is a common answer but it is true: my main inspiration is nature.� I am inspired by other artists from all disciplines…I love collaborating with other artists, it has always been a rewarding experience for me…I love online eCourses, especially in painting…Pinterest, of course. I have boards on color combinations, doodles, paintings, etc. When I am having a rough time in the studio, many times this can jumpstart my creativity….Looking back at my own work can stimulate me to further explore a technique or a color combination that I forgot about.�

Some of the pictures Anne takes of nature that inspires her. She loves how the camera on her phone allows her to catch inspiration before it slips away.

TierraCast’s Tracy Gonzales likes to find inspiration in specific projects:

I am most inspired by “gifting”, meaning I need to create something to give to someone else. I am currently distracted by crocheting hats for babies!

Finally, Beadalon’s Wyatt White gives a quick answer to what helps the creativity flow:

Red wine in a really nice glass.

We’ll drink to that! If you need more ideas for overcoming creative blocks, check out this Facebook Live video, where Cynthia and Cheri share more tips for letting the creativity flow:

To inspire you even more, we’re having a giveaway! One lucky winner could win a $50 Artbeads.com Gift Card and a Bead Buddy Junior travel case to take their creativity on the go. To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post about what keeps your creativity flowing. For extra entries, follow the prompts below. Enter before this contest ends at 11:59pm Pacific Time on Wednesday, October 24th.

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Comments

    • Meredith
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I just look at the world around me when I need inspiration. Sometimes its nature, sometimes I might see something eye catching on Pinterest, and sometimes I get the best inspiration just looking at what everyone else is creating in all the FB beading groups! 😉

    • Elizabeth Frye
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    My creativity inspiration comes from so many different places just as many others have stated. I really enjoy watching the videos on Artbeads.com, all the Cafes & live videos with tutorials. I love that you not only discuss & demonstrate new products but also new ways to use current products! I also get inspiration from colors, textures & patterns in nature as well as fabrics in clothing & décor. Plus there are also so many incredibly talented designers that so generously share their skills, tips & design ideas with others (books, classes, videos etc) that I feel there is a lifetime of inspiration & education out there!

  1. Reply

    Hello ladies, everything about you say inspires me what you have to offer and beads and so on it to Torio‘s videos you’re just totally amazing I’m just saying everything about this site and you ladies !! Thank you very much for all your inspiration everywhere on the site so thank you very much I hope to win because I’m new at this I want to really dive into it and this is the place to do it at face! You ladies are great people keep up the good work because you really inspire me! XOXO DONNA

  2. Reply

    I have already left tour three comments not sure if I’m supposed to leave one here also but everything about your products it to Torio how to new products how to use them and your beautiful boobs are just totally amazing everything about your size your blog is totally amazing so thank you even though I’m a newbie I want to dive right into all year inspiring ideas thank you very much !💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕💜💕

    • PEREZ Deborah
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    Soooooo many things inspire my jewelry… I take Inspiration from basically anything lol. The internet of course (Facebook communities, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram…), but also from nature itself, from the people I encounter, from shop windows too, from a new finding sometimes or an odd shaped bead, a new color combo… It’s very difficult to explain exactly what makes the creative juices flow but hey everyone is different and that what makes us unique. thanks for the chance and for the inspiration you provide us with your videos 😉

    • Connie
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    Boredom actually inspires me. When I get bored I start really looking around me – I often go up to my workroom and start playing around with different bead combinations and find myself inspired to keep going.
    Next thing I know I’ve made a necklace and several earrings with another necklace laid out on my bead board!

    • Gini
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I have been going through a long dry spell creatively. My usual go to is buying artisan made lampwork beads and fashioning them into earrings and the occasional bracelet or necklace. The stores in my area do not carry a very large selection of quality beads or findings. I happened upon Art Beads on Facebook. After reading a few posts and looking at a few Youtube videos I became intrigued by the talented designers perspectives.
    In the last month I have been challenged to think outside of my safe zone. To try different techniques and materials. I want to thank everyone at Art Beads for giving me inspiration and for the wide array of products on the website to choose from. Most valuable are the tutorials and little videos that give ideas on how to use the different products.
    I now complete several projects a day. 🙂 I look forward to Mondays and Thursday for additional inspiration!
    Thanks so much!

    • Donna
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    A particular bead, charm, or string of beads gives me inspiration. I’ll keep trying other things with it until something strikes me as perfect.

    • Judy S
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I get inspired when I view tutorials from Artbeads.com or when I watch Artbeads Cafe and Cynthia’s weekly videos. Also Pinterest and instagram motivate me to create.

    • Lisa Neeb
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I buy beads and findings I love. When I’m lacking inspiration I get the things I’ve purchased along the way aka (stash) out and somehow something always comes together. I love it even more because it’s all components that I purchased because I loved it to begin with.

    • Mary Drayer
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I have a board on Pinterest called Design Inspirations. It has everything on it. Or I use the Internet and look up jewelry trends. I always seem to have plenty of ideas without going blank. Please check out my Designs inspirations board on Pinterest.

    • Kim Bantle
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    What keeps me inspired is to keep some beads, findings and wire out on my bead table and make with what’s staring in front of me! Sometimes I even clean up my bead table so I can sdee what I have, sometimes the messiness inspires me to create! I love being “In my own little corner in my own little world I can bead what ever I want to bead! That line is a song from the television version of Cinderella starring Celeste Holm as the good fairy and Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella. The word in the song is “be” not bead, however bead fits nicely, too!

    • Cheryl Smith
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    The thing that keeps me inspired is the beads themselves they speak a language to me. The beads colors and beautiful shapes keeps my creative mind going coming up with new ideas. I love beading and hope to continue until beading till I am well into elderly age.

    • Stephanie Molohon
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    I get restless if I’m not creating. When I reach a wall and go outside for fresh air and inspiration. Usually I have more ideas than I have time to work on them.

    • Cora Schomburg
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    Most often, I am inspired by nature’s colors and shapes. But different cultures also provide inspiration, especially their fabrics. Finally, making gifts for other people will challenge me to leave my comfort zone and explore new themes or styles.

  3. Reply

    I get inspired by going to art/craft shows seeing what others created or just purchasing a variety of beads that grab my attention.

    • Linda Thielepape
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    I really enjoy the Art Cafe where Cynthia and her guest showcase a new piece of jewelry . They show how easy it is to make and inspire me to make it too! They are always creating new pieces by changing just a few things. They make it look so easy!!! This also inspires me to be creative as well! I love ❤️ these tutorials!

    • Beverly King
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    Sometimes all I have to do is dig through my “stash”. I often find things I have forgotten about! It could be a nice stone pendant. It could be a beautiful artisan bead. Or an unusual metal component. I’m tactile. I need to handle things. To get a “feel” or vibe of the piece!

    • Pam
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    I love looking at the colors and textures of nature during all the seasons of the year. I notice these things when I walk my dog. I also like thinking of special places I have visited and how those impressions translate into beads.

    • Yolanda
    • October 21, 2018
    Reply

    I have been making jewelry for some years now. But when I have that block I will go on youtube, Pinterest, Artbeads (of course) and google jewelry making to inspire me. Although the weekly videos you share have helped to keep me focused and give me more inspiration and think a little further outside the box.

  4. Reply

    My creativity comes from all over the place: sometimes it’s staring off into space, sometimes it’s seeing the inspiring work of others, sometimes it’s the materials themselves that speak to me. I never know when or where that next stroke of inspiration will come so I try to keep some kind of notebook with me at all times to jot down the ideas when they strike. But, if I’m really stuck I try to get my mind off it and go outside to enjoy the fresh air or even clean my studio as a messy space can be a huge block for me.

  5. Reply

    I’m often inspired by other people’s work, seeing something I want to do my own creative spin on. I especially love clever and unusual ways of doing things or using materials. Ultimately, the best inspiration comes when I sit down with the materials in my hands. The more I do, the better the ideas flow.

    • Phyllis Deem
    • October 22, 2018
    Reply

    My inspiration comes from many sources, other beaders, FB, designers websites.

    • Phyllis Deem
    • October 22, 2018
    Reply

    My inspiration comes mainly from the beautiful pieces created by my FB friends.

    • Nitza
    • October 22, 2018
    Reply

    My inspiration comes from photos: nature, buildings, historical fashion. The photos help to apreciate color, texture and forms.

    • Dannette
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    Watching the experts at work often gives me inspiration! And the seasons, the colors are so glorious for spring, summer, fall and winter!

    • Kim kreft
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    I love Pinterest I look a a design and can then get ideas flowing and start creating

    • Sandy
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    I find a “refresh” button by looking at magazines, ads and checking out what is being sold in stores or craft shows– fun to people watch once in awhile! too! Love old movies to see the fashions and styles. Buying a new outfit — helps to “be motivate” to create something different. Find it motivation when making gifts for family and friends and you look to make something “special” and meaningful for them as well as a satisfying and challenging for yourself.

    • Elyssa
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    New beads are what inspires me. I’ve found that when something catches my eye and I buy it, I’m always dying to see what I can make!

    • Heather
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    I walk away from the table and let my imagination take over!! Which isn’t always an immediate fix, but it’s better to take a break and regroup. I write down things I picture. Right now I find I am returning to the type of necklaces I made 10 years ago…somehow it was easier then and a lariat style is foremost…as is working with copper again! You were one of the few companies who sold it way back when!
    PS,,,I can’t enter the contest as usual, lol. I leave it up to you Katie.

    • Eva
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    Nature and colors my children use in their artwork inspire me.

    • Lori
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    I find inspiration for jewelry in clothing I already own. If I loved the colors enough to but the blouse I will love the jewelry. Grace does beautiful work, wonderful color combos and her beads inspire you to make something deserving of the beautiful the beads.

    • judy nathan
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    I’m inspired to make jewellery about all the things that interest me most at different times in my life. Right now it’s about goddesses and tarot cards and animals.

    • Marlane (Lanie) Bourne
    • October 23, 2018
    Reply

    Your videos every week are my greatest inspiration.

    • Jackie Muller
    • October 24, 2018
    Reply

    I think just spotting jewel tone colors gets my juices flowing the most. But I also like to use anything to get inspired…magazines, instagram, pintrest, youtube tutorials! Have to say that my most recent slump was fixed when I started watching Cynthia work her magic on Mondays!!

    • SANDRA AULTMAN
    • October 24, 2018
    Reply

    One source of my inspiration comes from looking at other jewelry. I see a piece and say heh – that would be wonderful only I would change this and add that. The next thing I know – it’s a unique piece.

    • kelly woods
    • October 24, 2018
    Reply

    Thank you for sharing and being an inspiration.

    • Kimberly Crawford
    • October 25, 2018
    Reply

    I just realized my previous comments were on the page rather than the blog. Here is the synopsis:
    I am a naturally inquisitive & motivated person who has the good fortune of being inspired by many things. Nature, travel/cultural immersion, museums/markets & art/crafts shows are often inspiring. Colors, Scents/smells, music & an emotional connection help me to keep me motivated to create. If I am really stuck or challenged by a particular piece, there’s nothing quite like jumping right in, pulling out all my stash & simply trying everything on/auditioning pieces. Finally, I love to learn & teach therefore through collaboration, working w/others, classes/tutorials (such as Artbeads.com 😉 & sharing, I am often inspired.

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