Kimberly Costello and some of her beadwork. Photos by Kimberly Costello and George Boe.

BEADING Articles 3 min read

Kimberly Costello: a Talented Bead Artist with a Whimsical Style

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Join us at Maker Festivals Colorado, the ultimate crafting extravaganza in Loveland from April 10-13, 2024, where the beloved Yarn Fest evolves with an exciting addition of beads and jewelry artists!

Kimberly Costello is a talented bead artist with a whimsical style. Her “Pop” Goes the Needle beaded needle case project is featured in the October/November 2018 issue of Beadwork. Learn how Kimberly got started beading and discover her unique perspective on creating new beadwork designs.

Learning to Bead

Q: How did you get started beading?
A: Three things happened around the same time that led me to start beading. First, I was looking for a hobby to help me cope with stress. Second, I saw the most beautiful little peyote-stitch beaded amulet bag and I wanted to learn how to make something just like it. And third, my mom had just started beading as a hobby. I found my mom’s new hobby intriguing and decided to try it. I checked out some books from the library, bought some Delica beads, and taught myself how to bead weave. (This was back in 2000, before instructional videos were available on YouTube!)

bead artist
Beaded earrings. Photo by Kimberly Costello.

Q: What’s your favorite stitch?
A: I find myself going back to peyote stitch over and over again. Peyote stitch is very versatile (flat, circular, tubular, odd- and even-count). I also like the way peyote stitch looks. I really enjoy working with it.

Inspiration and Creativity

Q: Where do you get your design ideas?
A: Anything and everything inspires me! Whenever something catches my eye, I wonder, “Could I make that into a beaded object?” or “Is that something I could bead around?” Once I decide to bead something, I spend a lot of time thinking of different ways to make it work. I’m always thinking about new beading designs.

bead artist
Beaded spools as pencil tops. Photo by Kimberly Costello.

Like many beaders, being out in nature also fuels my creativity. Specifically, I draw a lot of my inspiration from flowers. They have so many incredible colors, patterns, and wondrously varied shapes and designs! I have a notepad app on my phone so that when an idea comes to mind I have a place to put it so I’ll remember it later.

Q: Do you plan your designs in advance, or do you just let the creativity flow?
A: Usually, I have an idea of what I’d like to make and the colors I want to use. I check my notepad app frequently, too. Once I start to bead, I let my imagination run wild. Sometimes the end result turns out pretty differently from my initial idea.

Q: How do you get out of a creative rut?
A: I used to think that all the great bead-woven designs had already been thought of. But then I started questioning this idea, and I realized there have to be designs still waiting to be discovered. I had to change my way of thinking about designs and beadwork. Rather than letting myself believe that trying to come up with new ideas is a waste of time, I decided to take the creative process a bit more seriously and put some real effort into it.

bead artist
One of Kimberly’s latest projects. Photo by Kimberly Costello.

One thing that helps me get out of a creative rut is a change of scenery. Going for a long walk or just spending time outside can make a big difference. Most of the time, I’m working on about three or four projects simultaneously. When I get stuck with one project, I pick up one of my other pieces and work on it instead. And last but not least, a trip to the bead store always gets my creative ideas flowing again. I usually end up with ideas for several new projects that I hadn’t planned on — including the beads to make them!

Color Theory

Q: How do you approach the use of color in your designs?
A: Color fascinates me. Any time I find a beautiful color combination, I either photograph it or save the image in a special “Colors I love” album. I have a color wheel that I use frequently, which I’ve found very useful. Studying nature also provides wonderful ideas for stunning color palettes.

I’ve found that adding metal finishes to a colorway (for example, rose gold, copper, or bright silver), as well as adding black and/or white to a design, makes the palette more pleasing to the eye and gives the finished piece a more polished look.

A Serendipitous Design

Q: What was the inspiration for your “Pop” Goes the Needle beaded needle cases?

bead artist
“Pop” Goes the Needle beaded needle cases. Photo by George Boe.

A: My inspiration was actually the chrome pop-top! I bought a package of the bottle caps during one of my “getting-out-of-a-rut” shopping trips, with no particular project in mind. I then discovered that the pop-tops fit perfectly on top of my wooden needle-case caps.

My dad is a carpenter, so I spent a lot of time in his workshop learning about wood and how to work with it while growing up. It occurred to me that I could use sandpaper to give my needle cases a pop-bottle shape.


To learn more about Kimberly as a bead artist, and to see her adorable beading space, see “Kimberly Costello’s Beading Studio Is Small but Charming.” For a tutorial on which beading needles might be best for you, see “Stitch Pro: Which Beading Needle Should I Use?”

While they last, get a kit to create a beaded needle case like Kimberly’s “Pop” Goes the Needle design. The Soda Bottle Needle Case Starter Kit includes 2 wooden needle cases, 15 mini bottle caps, and plenty of thread. It comes with the October/November 2018 issue of Beadwork, where you’ll find the pattern and instructions for Kimberly’s design. The kit also includes a blank template so you can create your own needle case label.

Lavon Peters
Managing Editor, Beadwork magazine

Featured Image: Kimberly Costello and some of her beadwork. Photos by Kimberly Costello and George Boe.


Find Kimberly’s “Pop” Goes the Needle design in the October/November 2018 issue and subscribe to Beadwork for more fun projects and bead artist profiles!

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