I love shopping for beads, it’s dangerously fun. What bead craft person doesn’t? What I really think is fun is when other people buy me beads. I am always surprised at the generosity of the gift, but am more surprised by the creative purchasing. I typically receive beads in colors that I would probably overlook on my own shopping excursions. This challenges me to create designs in color schemes outside of my creative box. Below are pictures of new bead gifts I’ve received in great colors for Spring and Summer. Also, there are pictures of some of my own recent pick of new glass and gemstone beads. I think I’ll be very busy in the weeks to come.

My good friend GMK gave me these beautiful, faceted garnet beads.

These wonderful Czech and dichroic glass beads were given to me by my brother.

This wonderful glass bead mix from India, Chinese crystals, and gemstones were given to me by my sister.

These are my recent purchases of Czech glass and gemstone beads.

Hopefully, if time is on my side, some of these beads will show up in summer works!