Bead of the Month

September 2023 Bead of the Month -  "Nothing makes me happier than a new box of crayons and the limitless possibilities for creativity and expression" - Audra Delashmutt, Bead Artist About the artist:  "I've been making beads for the last 20+ years. My favorite beads to make are ones with bright colors, fun shapes or designs, and ones that make people." - Audra Delashmutt, Bead Artist. Audra Delashmutt lives in Illinois with her family and furry studio helpers. She has...

August 2023 Bead of the Month -  "Inspired by melons, these green and rubino beads are bright, summery, and sweet!" - Melanie Hazen, bead artist About the artist: Melanie Hazen is a full-time high school teacher and part-time artist who shares, "I’ve been making beads for almost 20 years. I discovered bead-making at an art fair in Nashville, TN and immediately knew I had to learn how to do it. I’ve never looked back!" ...

July 2023 Bead of the Month - "That burst of color across the sky! There is something joyful about seeing the rainbow at the end of a storm and knowing it has passed." - Audra Delashmutt, bead artist About the artist: Audra Delashmutt is a Beads of Courage Hall of Fame artist who has been making beads for over 20 years. Her favorite beads to make are ones with bright colors, fun shapes or designs, and ones that make people smile. ...

June 2023 Bead of the Month - “Nothing beats taking your children somewhere magical and looking at the sparkle in their eyes as they see and play with the floating wonder that is a group of balloons. Nothing gives me more joy than thinking back on those times with my children.” -Gerry White About the artist: "Years ago, I apprenticed as a goldsmith in the Caribbean. Here, I found an appreciation of jewelry and wearable art. Over the years, I have been fortunate to study other...

May 2023 Bead of the Month - The Swirly Snake bead reminds you to stay flexible! About the bead: "This happy snake was a bead design my daughter came up with back when we first started making beads. I wanted to recreate it since she brings me joy." - Kari Chittenden, bead artistAbout the artist: Bead making started for Kari in 2000 as a hobby to share with her (then) 12-year-old daughter. 22 years later, they still love making beads and doing craft shows together. When her daughter was a kid,...

April 2023 Bead of the Month - The Rainbow Shooting Star bead reminds you to look for the joy that's all around you!About the bead: "What is more joyful than looking up into the night sky to see a shooting star, or finding a rainbow after a spring storm? Both in one bead -- that's a feel-good, joyful bead!" - Diana Spiller, bead artistMore about the bead: "I have been making simpler shooting star beads for BOC for a while now, and I wanted to elaborate on that theme with something a little...

February 2023 Bead of the Month - The Home Heart bead reminds you that home is not a place - it's a feeling! About the bead: "Being home with my family brings me great joy. The saying, 'Home is where the heart is,' is so true! - Lisa Hanley, bead artistAbout the artist: Lisa has been making beads for about 13 years in the Pacific Northwest. She especially likes to make colorful, sculptural beads for kids. Animals and nature are her main inspirations and she loves trying to come up...

Artist Statement: The Brown Sweet Swirl Bead is a swirl of pumpkin pie with whipped cream, cinnamon latte, the harvest moon, the last autumn flowers in the garden. It reminds us that, no matter how grey the day, you can always find a little bit of sunshine. Artist Bio:  Diana Spiller is a Beads of Courage Hall of Fame bead artist. Diana shares, “I have spent my entire life dabbling in art, (pottery, fabric, sketching, fused glass, painting, etc) but when I discovered beadmaking 10...

Artist Statement: Fall is my favorite time of the year, leaving the hot summer behind, a time to welcome warm colors, cooling temperatures and falling leaves. My owl is a here to lead you into the colors of fall. Artist Bio:  Diane Sepanski is a Beads of Courage Hall of Fame artist and has been making beads for about 15 years. Diane shares, “I enjoy the process of melting and creating. Glass gives me the way to express my ideas and designs and make them into reality.” ...

Artist statement: The calla lily and the color yellow are welcome symbols of spring. I combined them both in this pretty bead to celebrate spring, the season of new beginnings. I hope it encourages everyone to try something new this spring! Artist Bio: Debora Sims has been donating beads to the children for over ten years. She was in the first group of bead artists enrolled in the Hall of Fame. Beads of Courage has sent her beads into outer space and on the Iditarod sled dog race. She has a...

About the Bead: This cheerful little chick will help you get ready for all things spring! Order now so you can tuck one into every Easter basket!About the Artist: Karen Crown has always been interested in art. She was lucky enough to have gone to college for art education and received a BFA from UW-Milwaukee and a Master’s Degree from UW-Whitewater. She taught art for 24 years at Union Grove Union High School in Wisconsin. Besides making glass beads, her interests include painting, drawing and...