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

    • Denise Sheaves
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I use beads for my knitting projects mostly. One day when time permits, I will get into beading. I try to tune into most of the live videos.

    • Michele Burrell
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Creating something beautiful.. When I’m stuck, I look at Nature.. Something always comes to mind

    • Mary Drayer
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I have a design inspiration board on Pinterest. I refer back to it periodically to keep my ideas and visions fresh. I also use the web to see what new trends there are in fashion and of course the Pantone colors of the year. I sketch my ideas out before I start any project which Is somewhat new for me to do but works greatly. 😀❤️

    • Mel Gill-Drouin
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    So many influences; some wonderful FB community beading groups; FB live design challenges; Pinterest; wonderful website tutorials and design ideas, to name just a few

    • Peppy Obrien
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Watching Cynthia do the live xhallenges inspires me. Also the shows showing the new products motivate me as well

    • Melanie Clevenger
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Your live feeds are what keep me inspired… every single week. If I miss one, I really miss it!!

    • Laura Welscher
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    When I need inspiration, I go online to see what others have created. My searches usually lead to Artbeads.com where I love to look thru the design studio. A new outfit can also be inspiring, as need to make jewelry to go with it.

    • Tanya Thomas
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Watching you and other designers inspire me. The desire and passion to create flows through me inspires me.

    • Deborah Richards
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I’m a member of several FB beading groups along with Artbeads that keep me inspired to create. I love Swarovski and delicas. It’s great having the Bead Buddy Jr travel case for storing multiple projects.

  1. Reply

    I people-watch for my writing – but I also jewellery-watch for my fund-raising.

    • Angela Presnell
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    For me being creative isn’t about me and what I like. It’s about playing with different beads, combos, colors but most importantly it’s the people around me and the smile on their face when I make them things they love.😊

    • maryann
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I get inspired by watching on line videos and tutorials!

    • Michele Smith
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    When I need inspiration, I usually look at colorful candy , nature, looking at my glass rods and to just imagine what I can do with them. Sometimes just looking at flowers and their colors inspires me to try and see if I can duplicate the colors when I make a bead. Then the hunt for the right bead to finish the jewelry I want to put together.

    • Chris Civitello
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Watching your videos and love the projects you bring to us inspires me.Not to mention the beautiful selection of beads!!

    • Cheryl Malotky
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Your web site gives me many ideas and friends also help get my creative ideas going. Living in the north woods on a lake also helps.

    • Cherri Artrip
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I get a lot of inspiration from the videos and the Design Studio at Artbeads.com! Pinterest is another great source. My problem is trying to stay focused on the project I’m working on and not jumping to the next wonderful thing Cynthia and Cheri has presented!

    • Amber Frechette
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I get inspiration from my girls. Their interests, creations, even their personalities are a source of inspiration

    • Sandra Farnham
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    My creativity is inspired by beautiful beads

    • Phyllis Deem
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I get inspiration from your website. I love the Design Studio. I also get inspired from Facebook posts, Pinterest and YouTube.
    Thanks for your great techniques.

    • Tara Roberts
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Colors inspire me. The texture, tones, and depth of colors placed together inspire me. I love the changing seasons and the colors of the seasons.

    • lisa beck
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    i draw out my ideas

    • Nancy
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I love the variety of shapes and colors and combining them to see what they make…it sparks my imagination that keeps the creativity energized…the videos here are really helpful too 🙂

    • Glenda Smith
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I’m inspired everyday by everything around me! People, colors, stores, TV shows, the weather, my current mood…you name it! Inspiration is all around us❤️

    • Judy Shield
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    All your videos inspire me.

    • Janice Cipriano
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Design studio at Artbeads.com, and Pinterest.

    • Miranda
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Weather, mood and things I see around me.

    • Roxanne Pokrzywinski
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Mostly other people are my influences… often I’ll see something someone else has designed, or something they are wearing or just a color they may have on… also, anything outside and within nature. I always try to put a twist on something I’ve seen many times before, but maybe with new lighting or in an unexpected color palette!

    • Kim Karns
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    New beads inspire me!! I also love to explore new colors in my beads and materials!

    • Anne B Hilliard
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    One thing that helps is the wonderful Thursday videos. I love to window shop on Artbeads.com and see the new items. I also look for color palettes on the web. Patterns on Cloth sometimes sparks an idea, especially for peyote designs. When all else fails I just take out some beads and just start rearranging them to see if inspiration hits.

    • Yvonne SKinner-Ntiri
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    The things that inspire me are nature. All aspects. I love gems and minerals. Artwork, poetry and cultures from around the world. Too much inspiration not enough time.

    • Sandra
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    colors and pieces of focals from artists I admire. But color is my favorite

  2. Reply

    Color is my main inspiration
    Each tone has a “texture” to my mind

    Thank you for all the helpful demos and tutorials
    Without these I would miss out on some amazing projects

    • Rosee Hanemaayer
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I love Artbeads. I think I have every video saved! Thank you for making them!

    I am thrilled to have found your blog.

    • Carol Davey
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I love watching your live videos for inspiration from all the lovely beads and findings. I also love the colour combinations you come up with. Love love love 😊

    • Moria Fainberg
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I tend to use Pinterest sick I can get ideas for all types of hobbies, arts and antiques. So many creative people and gorgeous objects. Then I go to Artbeads to shop for my supplies.

    • Diane Logan
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I look for inspiration from my Beading Group who encourage me on every piece of jewelry I make. I also look for inspiration from videos such as Artbeads Cafe, You Tube, etc.

    • Carol Streeper
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I love watching videos – Artbeads, YouTube, Facebook groups.

    • Yolanda Sanders
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Looking at jewelry making book, and watching people demo a piece of jewelry

    • Becky
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I love checking out Pinterest and watching tutorials with new techniques. I also look at trends and the Pantone colors of the year. Of course Artbeads Cafe and Artbeads live videos showing new products help inspire me.

    • Laurena Whitwer
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    There is a lot that inspires me–Artbeads, the Monday challenges, Cafes, and new product videos get me thinking about new or different ways to bead, which I love (!) but my greatest inspiration is the people I make jewelry for …the things they like (flowers, birds, the ocean, and so on), their favorite colors or colors that represent something they love, their personality (conservative, flamboyant, etc.). I love making jewelry that is “them.”

    • Deana Williamson
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Wow, inspiration comes from so many places!! Nature, fabric, a flash of color, anything shiny, all the amazingly creative works on your site/page. I could go on, but I have to go to work so I can support my bead habit! 😂

    • Kathleen
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Watching your Artbeads Live Shows inspires me.

  3. Reply

    I am inspired by places, color, and patterns. My favorite experience creating is discovering a new beadweaving pattern and then creating lots of versions of it with inspiring colors. I also love working with new bead shapes and materials.

    • Carolyn DeBoni
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    I love to watch FB live videos and YouTube videos to keep learning new tecniques. I love to try new things this keeps my creativity fresh.

    • Johnnie Hart
    • October 19, 2018
    Reply

    Every week when I watch all your videos, I don’t know what I want to try first! I want to make everything so my list is long – never run out of ideas. Really enjoy learning new techniques and there is so much to learn.

    • Christian Rodgers
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I watch a lot of you tube video and belong to a lot of beading groups. Also nature is one of the best sources for creativity.

  4. Reply

    WOW…so many different things. For me the beauty of nature, the colors and smells, the organic flow of wire feels like a rolling stream. There’s just so much. Then you add people…their comments, likes, dislikes, support, love, gallery owners, customers, friends, family. Creating for me is mixing together different thoughts, visions, ideas and feelings and just seeing what evolves from all of that. My business name is Broken and Renewed because there’s so much broken in the world which can be taken and renewed. That’s creating for me.

    • Nancy Bontempi
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I just collect things I like: beads, charms, chain, etc. For some items, ideas come right away. Others sit around until I happen upon something else to go with them. I enjoy interesting color and texture combinations. Of course, I love to look at what others are doing.

    • Linda Oliver
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    My inspiration is endless: design studios, galleries, Pintrest, YouTube, nature, paintings, movies, others jewelry, store sale catalogs, etc. sometimes out of nowhere an idea will come and if I don’t jot it down or design immediately , it will leave me! Many times I have to get out of bed to design because I can’t sleep for thinking of jewelry(addiction huh??)!

    • Dee
    • October 20, 2018
    Reply

    I love visiting Artbead website for inspiration; your website is easy to understand and see other artists’ ideas and fantastic display of art to piggyback with mine own work. Does it make sense to you that your site is clean and easy to use… I always get a boost in my spirit when I see what inspires others and how each person puts their own twist with texture, colors and workmanship! I can always depend on Artbeads to have the supplies I need and their quick response when those creative juices flow.

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