Cool summer's heat with frosty glass beads

By Bethany Waldrop Keiper

It seems that everywhere you look on the map, the weather has been, and is still forecasted to be,  hot. Air conditioners hum incessantly, and it seems that everyone is in search of someplace or something cool. Fortunately, it is very nice to come indoors and enjoy something cold while you bead.

Since frosted glass beads have always reminded me of the condensation on a frosted mug or a frosty ice pop, they seem to be the best beads for this type of weather. Enjoy your chilly treats and think about which cool bead designs would suit you best.

On a summer morning, you may glance out at the sky, wondering what the temperature will reach during the day's hottest hours. As you watch the sunset, you may keep your eye on the thermometer, hoping to see the mercury dip a little bit. Sometimes summer nights are a little bit cooler, but even then, sometimes the rising yellow moon will look warm.

Give a frosty glow to the nighttime heavenly bodies with matte AB beads in deep twilight blue. A large coin-shaped bead with its smiling, crescent-shaped, man in the moon and starry sky is a great focal bead for a starry bracelet or anklet. It is perfect for an evening of stargazing or whatever outdoor summer mischief you have planned.

People have long associated the nighttime hours with cats, and their fabled ability to see in the dark. However, frosted and feline are not usually two words you think of together. But frosted or matte glass cat beads are very common.

In this design, a 20mm frosted amethyst cat is a cool charm for a necklace of large frosty light amethyst twist beads and tiny bright purple rounds. For a matching bracelet, try connecting several strands of the tiny purple beads and make another frosted amethyst cat dangle to hang from the clasp.

As hot as it is, I am always amazed at those who willingly desire to lounge out in the sun. Not just because it is harmful, but because of the heat itself!  I must say, though, that a tan from the sun is very bad for you. But if you've gone ahead and done it anyway, then there is nothing that shows it off better than a white sundress and jewelry in bright, bold colors.   These orange and yellow frosted beads, while representing the color of the sun itself, are encased in so much cool frosted glass, the heat could never get through.

Alternating matching colors of matte glass heart charms add a playful dangle to this necklace when it is made to choker length. I made these designs from glass beads only, for a completely smooth look. If you want to break up your frosted beads with accents of metal, such as spacers or bead caps, these designs would all take on a much different appearance. Another idea is to offset the subtlety of the smooth matte softness of these beads with the all-out sparkle of Swarovski AB rounds or the newer 2X AB crystals.