Nostalgic Winter Fresh Picks
Posted by Ali on November 25 at 05:26 pmThe Fresh Picks this past week could have been inspired by travel magazines, holiday cooking, memories of vacations, or winter. These are great ways to trigger your creative energy. While shopping downtown this week, I was inspired by a rose bush covered in snow – with the pink roses still in bloom! It was too odd not to notice, yet people walked past this bush all day long without stopping . . . to smell the roses.
This time of year we all seem to be in such a rush to do everything – drive, shop, cook, eat, create – try to take a moment in the midst of all your rushing around to notice obscure moments around you. You’ll be surprised by what might influence your next design.
This week’s Top 10
- Cardinal’s Nest by Cuban Queen
- Mint Chocolate Cocoa by Lisa S
- Icicles and Peppermints by Snickers
- A Chain Tied To My Heart by CAS
- Polynesian Batik by Perlemamma
- sand and sea by Jodi O
- Café Crema by Anna C
- Symphony in B Minor by Sandy S
- raindrops and sunshowers by Tab
- Cape Cod by Debbi C
Cardinal's Nest
Cardinal’s Nest by Cuban Queen - I love Cardinals. We have one in the tree out side our kitchen window all winter, but he just never seems to sit still long enough for me to take a picture of him 
This pick does a great job of creating this image for us. The coral chosen is the perfect red. I like how one may not immediately think of combining the coral with mica quartz, bronzite, Chinese ocean jasper, and turritella agate, just to name a few. I really like the use of the copper wire wrapped triangle, it adds that “Je ne sais quoi”. If I were going to make a piece with this pick, I might add a few CZ salsa or poppy faceted fans, I can’t resist a touch of sparkle.
Mint Chocolate Cocoa
Mint Chocolate Chip by Lisa S - This is a delicious combination. As it so happens I am drinking a Mint Cocoa from one of my favorite grocery stores, Trader Joe’s, with Dakota (my dog) in a deep sleep at me feet. The brown stones chosen seem to swirl around each other while minty greens are tossed in for the finishing flavor. This pick would definitely make a statement if designed into a necklace… there are some pretty big and bold shapes. The silver green dancing button does a fantastic job of softening this design.
Icicles and Peppermints
Icicles and Peppermint by Snickers - I took one look at this pick and said to myself… “I have to make something out of this!” I love how its holiday and winter and sparkle and snow all wrapped up without being kitschy. Excellent choices in pearls, the colors – fire pink, gold, pepper red, silver peacock and pearly whites, and the biwa sticks really make this piece pop. The Australian chrysoprase adds a breath of refreshing green while the crystal clear CZ and the Stampt pewter poinsettia filigree are the icing. I feel like getting my tree or going to Chicago to see all the beautiful lights and decorations. Just wonderful!
…”
LOL
P.S. Thanks to Lima Beads for …”
On Nov 25, 2008 at 8:30 pm #
Kevin says:I think I’m going to vote for Sand and Sea this week because it makes me feel the warmest.
On Nov 25, 2008 at 11:56 pm #
beadaholchick says:Cafe Crema caught my eye as soon as I saw it & put it in my favorites.(Being a latte addict it naturally appealed to me!!) It has my vote!
On Nov 26, 2008 at 8:37 am #
Alice P says:I can’t choose! I can’t choose! They are all so wonderful! Alice
On Nov 26, 2008 at 12:24 pm #
Perlemamma says:If I had to choose one of these beautiful fresh picks(that includes my own pick, haha), I think I vote for Sandy’s Symphony. Pure harmony:-)
On Nov 26, 2008 at 12:59 pm #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:Perlemamma- I love Polynesian Batik! Turquoise and brown has been a favorite combination for me for a long time, and the pattern in the turquoise donut makes the name of the pick fit perfectly!
On Nov 26, 2008 at 1:22 pm #
Perlemamma says:Cuban Queen; Thank you, nice comment coming from the Queen of Fresh picks! Yes, turqoise and brown, light blue and brown, light pink and brown… is brown still the new black? I try not to repeat myself, but it’s hard not to make another pick in these colours! (By the way, is the word “batik” spelled right in English?)
On Nov 26, 2008 at 2:17 pm #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:ha ha I think CAS holds the title of Queen of Fresh Picks! lol Yeah I know what you mean about brown being the new black, I’ve always loved it and it goes with everything! (And yes, you spelled batik right.)
Great pick!
On Nov 26, 2008 at 2:59 pm #
Kevin says:Where is CAS?
A whole day with no fresh picks or blog comments? That is unheard of!
I hope everything is OK.
She’s probably just swamped with Thanksgiving preparations.
On Nov 26, 2008 at 3:24 pm #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:Kevin, I was thinking the same thing!
On Nov 26, 2008 at 4:26 pm #
Bonnie R says:remember – she said that she was going to miss the Tuesday Lunch sale because she is out of town for the holidays.
On Nov 26, 2008 at 4:32 pm #
beadaholchick says:OK-I guess we all know we’re starting to feel like family when one of us can miss another-& then one of us remembers where they are!!
It’s great-yet another thing to be grateful for on my list:>
On Nov 26, 2008 at 5:04 pm #
Kevin says:Man! She is going to be super mad when she gets back and sees the email I’m about to send….
On Nov 29, 2008 at 6:02 pm #
CAS says:Okay everyone, I’m baaaaccckkkk!!!!!!
I was away in CT and PA for the Thanksgiving holiday (Tuesday until today, Saturday), and I just (20 minutes ago) got back. I’m super bummed that I missed the “lunch special”, but I’m super excited that THERE’S A SALE!!!!!!!!!!
I hope that everyone had a super holiday, with lots of love and things to be thankfull for (for you Perlemamma, I hope that you had a super week too).
I have to say that I love all of the picks this week, but especially Perlemamma’s, Cuban Queen’s, Tab’s and Debi C’s. And don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be up late doing “fresh picks” tonight.
P.S. I thought of you today, Cuban Queen, as we were driving up 87.
On Nov 29, 2008 at 6:44 pm #
Kitty Chicky Cat says:Yayyyyyyyyy!!! HI!
On Nov 30, 2008 at 11:11 am #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:Good to see you’re back, CAS, and you weren’t kidding, you really were up all night doing fresh picks, weren’t you?! lol And yeah, I’m on 87 waaayy too much, as a matter of fact, I’ll be back on it tonight!
On Nov 30, 2008 at 1:26 pm #
Perlemamma says:CAS: Thank you, my week was ok but here in Norway we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Reading about you guys in here gave me some thoughts about the subject, though, I really think it’s a nice thing to stop and think about all we should be grateful for.
Maybe I’ll import this custom (in this family, anyway)…
Allthough we don’t have Thanksgiving, we still have eating orgies in Norway too. Almost every weekend in December -before Christmas- we have something called “julebord” where people gather and eat traditional Christmas (dinner) dishes – with family, friends or people you work with. And some of these parties are not exactly alcohol-free…
(By the way, CAS, I think we have pretty much the same taste in fresh picks:-))
On Nov 30, 2008 at 2:53 pm #
CAS says:Perlemamma – They do say that “great minds think alike”.
“Julebord” sounds like lots of fun, unless, of course, you’re the one stuck doing the dishes. I never pass up a chance to eat someone else’s cooking (provided it’s not clams or brussel sprouts).
On Nov 30, 2008 at 6:14 pm #
Debbi aka Sparkle Chick says:CAS, can I tell you that I am honored that you mentioned my fresh pick as one of your faves of the week?!
I am new to designing the picks and have several of yours on my favorites list….thanks so much for the mention! And by the way, your picks were definitely missed this week!
Welcome back!
On Dec 01, 2008 at 5:35 pm #
CAS says:Debbi C – LOVE…LOVE…LOVE your “Spearmint”, so cool & green I want to eat it. Keep up the great work with your picks. I’d love to see some of your completed pieces.
On Dec 01, 2008 at 9:32 pm #
Debbi aka Sparkle Chick says:CAS, THANK YOU for your kind comments! Designing and browsing through the fresh picks give me SO much joy! And, when I get back to creating after Christmas, I have inspiration from everyone here…not to mention gorgeous new Lima Beads to play with!
On Dec 02, 2008 at 11:31 am #
Bonnie R says:Debbi C – love Spearmint. I like the blue green tones with the white whit. Really clean look. If you like the clean look, in some of the strands of rainbow flourite pillow beads are some clear light green ones. They look like seaglass. Really nice just not many per strand.
On Dec 02, 2008 at 11:50 am #
CAS says:Mary S – I love your “Frost”! I would have never thought of going with the black, white and silver. It’s a very cool and inspired pick, very “outside of the box”.
On Dec 02, 2008 at 12:57 pm #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:Mary S, I love “Frost”, too. It caught my eye right away, it’s in my favorites!
On Dec 03, 2008 at 10:32 am #
Perlemamma says:I quickly browsed the Fresh picks, and realised that someone in here has made 359 picks. Guess who:-)
Loved her “London Fog”…
On Dec 03, 2008 at 11:06 am #
Mary S - Sweet Chick says:WOW! CAS and Cuban Queen, THANK YOU!
I am honored with your comments.
It seems I am always putting your fresh picks in my favorites list. You both have very unique and beautiful combinations.
Where do you come up with so many new ideas?
On Dec 03, 2008 at 11:39 am #
CAS says:Thanks Mary S – I’m honored that you like my picks. My ideas for “fresh picks” come from my family, nature (and the weather, brrr), the news/current events, other “Fresh Picks”, and music. I currently have over 3000 songs on my iPod, and they are a constant source of inspiration. A lot of times when I’m short on ideas I go to the “Green Bead Machine” and choose some of the stones on sale to be my starting point. I also wait, impatiently often, for Thursdays, and the new beads. I check the “Back In Stock” everyday just in case too. A friend of mine has told me that I have a good eye for matching patterns and colors, so it seems to come naturally for me.
I noticed yesterday that there were a bunch of first-time “Fresh Picks”. Welcome to the addictive world of “Fresh Picks”, some of your picks are in my favorites already.
On Dec 03, 2008 at 11:51 am #
CAS says:The new “Fresh Picks” were done by Jules T, JewelsbyJill, Kim M and KathrynsJewelryDesigns if anyone is interested in checking them out.
On Dec 03, 2008 at 2:14 pm #
Perlemamma says:Wouldn’t it be fun to see the Cristmas picks gathered together? I have one myself, and I’ve noticed that I’m not the only one…
On Dec 03, 2008 at 5:04 pm #
J Yee smart chick says:Yep, that makes sense. Also, it would be great to see the Fresh Picks organized by topic/theme somehow, since there’s now lots of ‘em, might make it a bit easier to find.
So some possible categories include color schemes (like how the beads themselves are organized), or holidays/seasons of the year, landscapes (lots of sea related ones) or nature (sea themes), food, …
Not to make more work for Lima folks:)
Joyce
On Dec 03, 2008 at 5:12 pm #
Steve says:Perlemamma and Joyce, those are great suggestions. We had a similar discussion last week around the office. It’s great to hear your thoughts! We definitely will consider them when we try and put some more organization behind the Fresh Picks section.
On Dec 03, 2008 at 5:26 pm #
CAS says:Steve – I have to agree totally with Perlemamma and Joyce. I have so many favorite picks that to find a certain theme or color scheme would be very, very difficult, if not impossible. If when we turned our picks on we had a box to check for color scheme or theme/topic it might be nice…hint…hint…hint.
On Dec 03, 2008 at 8:12 pm #
Amber says:What a fantastic site!! discovered it only days ago and now I am addicted! Hubby is already grumbling his dinner will never come anymore
On Dec 04, 2008 at 3:31 pm #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:CAS- You went from being a “Coquette” to a “Brazen Hussy”, huh? Ha ha ha! Just kidding!
On Dec 04, 2008 at 6:01 pm #
CAS says:Cuban Queen – Well one person’s “Coquette” is another person’s “Brazen Hussy”. I thought it was a normal progression. Ha ha!
On Dec 05, 2008 at 10:38 am #
Cuban Queen Crazy Chick says:lol =)