Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year - Radiant Orchid

We are excited to share that Pantone has chosen Radiant Orchid as their Color of the Year for 2014. Since color plays a huge role in fashion and design, it's easy to see that this feminine, vibrant color will make its way into the jewelry world as well. We'd like to explore this color in detail, as well as showcase some of the beautiful products and projects featured on our site that have a similar feel.

Cultured Nugget Pearls in Purple

Pantone describes Radiant Orchid as a "captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones" and the designers here at Beadaholique agree. And as you can see on our Radiant Orchid page, it is the type of color that brightens up your look and adds just the right amount of pop to your jewelry. It blends both cool and warm undertones, making it a very versatile color to mix in to your jewelry collection. Radiant Orchid can be dressed up or down; it can be elegant when paired with metallics such as gold, silver or rose gold and it can also liven up neutrals like gray, beige and taupe. Pair it with findings in similar tones of pink and purple for a more playful, youthful look.

Dome Bead in Crystal Lilac Shadow

As you look through Beadaholique's Radiant Orchid Pinterest page, you will see a lovely assortment of projects and jewelry components we've compiled that fit the look and general feel of Radiant Orchid. And since shades vary from brand to brand, looking through this Pinterest board can give you an overall idea of the color and show you many fun options.

Chaton Medley in Light Amethyst

A gorgeous example of a similar color is Crystal Lilac Shadow by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. The dome bead, the chessboard sew-on stone and the BeCharmed Pave Square bead are amongst some of our favorite components in that pinkish-purple shade. Beads in Crystal Lilac Shadow can be seen in projects such as the Natalie Earrings and the Lexi Necklace. Other similar colors offered by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS include Light Amethyst and Cyclamen Opal. The Lucille Earrings showcase beads in both these pretty colors. Not only do these components fit the general feel of Radiant Orchid, but they offer a sparkly, crystal look that can be a great option when making more ornate jewelry.

Natalie Earrings by Megan

If you enjoy braiding and knotting, Griffin Silk in Purple Lilac and Super-Lon Cord in the Lilac Mix are great options for you. If bead weaving and bead embroidery is your passion, check out the Positively Purple bead mix by Wildy Bohemian. Czech Crystal rhinestone cup chain in Lilac is also a lovely option if you want to add just a small touch of purple into your designs. Other pretty options are cultured nugget pearls. Pearls in Heliotrope, Purple and Fuchsia, seen in the Lilac Afternoon Bracelet, offer a more vintage-inspired, nostalgic look.

A Lilac Afternoon Bracelet by Karlin

Take some time and enjoy this beautiful color. It is a favorite amongst our design team and we have many inspirational projects that feature it. It is feminine and timeless, and with Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect opportunity to incorporate this sweet, romantic color into some upcoming projects!

-Karlin

All About Color: Holidays & Trends

The world of color ties in to trends and holidays in many interesting ways. The four seasons dictate our use of color in fashion, décor and everyday design. Here at Beadaholique, we believe in the importance of color and the role it plays in iconic holidays and changing trends. Both should be considered when it comes to jewelry making and designing.

Let's explore color a bit by talking about a popular trend going on right now—neon! Super bright, fluorescent colors like acid green, neon pink and electric blue seem to be popping up everywhere. They highlight your personality (pun intended!) and just look fun. Neon has made its inevitable comeback from the 1980s and we currently see this trend everywhere from clothing to jewelry to nail polish. "Highlighter" colors are all the rage and designers are integrating these colors into jewelry, especially with baubles and beads, to create stand-out pieces that add mega flair to any basic outfit. Pairing a super bright neon pink necklace or earring with a soft white or black minimal outfit makes for great contrast. Whether neon is one of your favorite color schemes or you are just testing out the trend, it's a fun way to add some brightness to your summer wardrobe.

Another pretty color trend happening right now is rose gold. This copper-gold tone is both unexpected and familiar; it somehow manages to look new and old at the same time. Pairing darker metallics with blush tones is a color combo that manages to feel feminine and soft in a vintage-inspired way. My personal favorite is pairing rose gold with black; it gives it a great romantic yet edgy look.

With fall 2013 rapidly approaching, we can start thinking about which color trends will be making appearances in fashion magazines and runways across the world. And with that said, Pantone's Fall 2013 color selections are here! This seasons colors include: Emerald, Linden Green, Mykonos Blue, Acai, Samba, Koi, Deep Lichen Green, Vivacious, Turbulence and Carafe. Pantone's color of the year is the rich, lush Emerald. Incorporating emerald as an accent color in jewelry or even as the main staple is a very glamorous, eye-catching option. It's both timeless and fresh and looks beautiful on everyone.

As we quickly move towards the holiday season, what better way to commemorate the festivities than with new and unexpected color twists?

As we all know, most holidays have universally recognizable color schemes. Christmas has red and green, Halloween has orange and black, Valentine's Day has pink, and so on. We have a fairly good idea of which holidays are associated with which color schemes, but did you know that by altering certain hues and shades, we can end up with color pairings that add a bit more glamor and intrigue?

Since it's Fourth of July, why not commemorate the red, white and blue by creating a cool new look? A wonderful example of this can be seen in our "July on the Yacht" necklace project. This piece incorporates lovely sea glass in red. Also, by adding silvers, golds or a palette of earth-toned neutrals such as charcoal gray, cream, pearl or slate, we can add variety and modernize the look of our jewelry while still maintaining its classic charm!

When it comes to Christmas, our minds automatically think red and green. However, when making Christmas jewelry, we don't always have to stick to these traditional colors. A lovely way to embrace this holiday season is to add colors that are reminiscent of the holiday without being too predictable. Instead of using that basic green, try a more brilliant aqua, mint or emerald (Hello, Pantone's color of the year!) instead. And maybe instead of that middle-of-the-road red, you can try a cool maroon, a dark burgundy or a rich purple. As complementary colors, red and green are visually pleasing together to begin with, so different hues and shades will just naturally look great together! You will end up with a look that is warm and festive.

Another look to play with involves frosty blues in contrasting shades that mimic winter's cool, crisp snow. Pairing unexpected chains and findings in rose gold with hints of dark pewter also create an interesting fall/winter look. Metallics like gold and silver always have a way of looking magical during the season. By incorporating touches of gray and black to all the colors above, you can end up with a chic, wintry palette.

If bright and bold is what you seek, then how about trying something new with your jewelry? By adding brilliant gemstones, crystals and beads in pear, orange, magenta, lime, purple and turquoise, you can completely redefine your holiday look. These lively colors will make any brooch or cocktail ring truly stand out, amidst the usual red and green. Why not pair a lovely bright magenta or royal purple with a warm gold? The possibilities are endless.



Playing around with color is a fun, whimsical way of getting into the holiday spirit! By adding simple yet unique variations into the mix, we can make beautiful new color stories that can be worn throughout the year.

-Karlin

Using a Color Wheel & Color Carousel Giveaway

© Design Seeds

The world of color is a visual treat for the senses! It affects us in many ways, and being able to use colors thoughtfully and harmoniously can help create amazing results in design. Last year, Julie wrote a great post about choosing color palettes, which you can find here.  I wanted to take it one step further and give you some more technical information about the types of color and a very important tool for working with color: the color wheel.

The basic color wheel we learned about in school still plays an essential role in how we see color today. Picking the right colors can be a daunting task, but thanks to the color wheel we can easily envision a good pairing for any hue or shade. The wheel gives us a better understanding of what works well together and also, what doesn't. This is valuable information for anyone interested in creating or designing. Not only do color wheels showcase the compatibility of a vibrant red with a cool blue, but they also display various shades and hues of one specific color... all by the spin of the wheel!

Familiarizing yourself with the color wheel can also help you understand how to mix and match warm and cool tones, which can sometimes be challenging. The wheel also teaches us about primary, secondary and tertiary colors, which make up the most basic groupings of color. Now, let's get familiar with some of the terms you'll read when using a color wheel!

The primary colors are red, yellow and blue; these are the three colors that all other colors are derived from. The secondary colors are orange, green and violet; these colors are created by mixing two primaries. The third order of colors is called tertiary and these include red orange, yellow green, blue green, blue violet and red violet. These colors are created by mixing the primary and secondary colors. The “analogous” colors are neighbor colors which usually match well and create a serene and calm look.

When it comes to color schemes, the most common ones are: monochromatic, complementary, analogous and triadic. Monochromatic color schemes involve using different shades and hues of the same color. Using complementary colors is a fun way to explore color contrast which allows colors to pop and really stand out. These “opposite” colors are directly across from each other on the color wheel, i.e. red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple. A triadic color scheme uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, such as purple, orange and green. By choosing your main color and rotating your color wheel, you can see which shade and hue falls under each category. Before you know it, you'll be able to come up with some beautiful color schemes. As we get better with experience, it's always great to have a visual tool that aids us in our exploration of color!

This simple tool is so useful that the team here at Beadaholique would like to give away 20 Color Carousels by SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS to our readers.  The Color Carousels are color wheels designed specifically for creating with the SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS line of colors. Mixing and matching colors in jewelry making will be more enjoyable than ever. You can also check out the interactive Color Carousel online while you wait to find out if you're a winner!

To enter, please leave a comment on this blog post letting us know your favorite color combination. Giveaway ends next Tuesday, July 2nd at 4pm PT.  At that time, we will choose one random winner from those who left comments on this blog post.  Please do not comment anonymously and do not use your Facebook, Twitter account, or Yahoo Pulse Profile when commenting, we cannot contact you if you do.  Please adhere to all Beadaholique rules and conditions for this giveaway.

-Karlin

Beading Contest: Pantone Spring Colors!

We want to see the Pantone Spring 2013 Fashion Color Report come to life! For this contest, your piece must feature at least one of the 10 colors in the fashion report. While we’re not looking for exact color matches, shades should be similar to those released in the report and should be a prominent feature of your design.

To enter, send a photo of your finished piece to us by 4PM PT on Tuesday, April 9th, with your name, title of your piece, email address, color(s) referenced, country of residence and an optional description of your piece in the body of your email.

The Beadaholique team will select a list of finalists who will have their work published here in our Beader’s Blog, in the next issue of The Beading Wire and on the Beadaholique Facebook page for public voting. Two winners, one domestic and one international, will each receive a $100 Beadaholique gift certificate and further exposure on our blog and Facebook page! An Editor’s Pick will be chosen from the remaining finalists and will receive a $50 gift certificate.

Rules/How to Enter:

Email us a clear, in focus, well-lit photo of a beading project of your own design which fits our theme and uses one or more products which can be found at Beadaholique. Email one photo, at least 500 pixels in width or height but no bigger than 1600 pixels wide and 1600 pixels tall, to challenge@thebeadingwire.com (do not use this for questions; contact us here) with the following included in your email:

Subject line: "Name of Piece tags: march2013" (Example: Spring Explosion Necklace tags:march2013)

Body: Very important! In the body of your email, make sure to include the following:
full name—required
email address—required
country of residence—required
color(s) referenced in your piece—required Must use one or more colors similar to those in the list below. It does not have to be an exact match. Please see the Pantone Spring 2013 Color Fashion Report for color examples.

Emerald
Dusk Blue
Grayed Jade
Tender Shoots
Lemon Zest
African Violet
Linen
Monaco Blue
Poppy Red
Nectarine

optional: a brief description of your piece

Other Rules—Updated 11/2012:
One entry per person. If you send more than one entry, you may be disqualified. If your entry does not meet the “Rules/How to Enter” stated above, you may be disqualified. Winner must respond to our email notification within 2 weeks to claim gift certificate. No one person may win more than once every 12 months (excluding Editor’s Choice). By entering, you retain the rights to your original jewelry design but are giving Beadaholique, Inc. permission to use your submitted photo(s) on our websites, newsletter, Facebook, blog and other properties. For consistency and fairness, watermarks and other text or logos will be edited out of photos. We encourage finalists to promote their business, store or website in the comments for their entry, though please limit it to just one link/promotional comment. The terms and conditions that apply to all Beadaholique contests and giveaways also apply here.

Important Dates:

• Tuesday, April 9 @ 4PM PT: Last day to submit
• Wednesday, April 10: Finalists will be posted on our Facebook and notified via email. Public voting starts.
• Thursday, April 11: Finalists will be featured in the next issue of The Beading Wire sent to the entire Beadaholique email list.
• Wednesday, April 17 @ 4PM PT: Voting ends. Winners will be notified via email within 2 business days and featured in the next issue of The Beading Wire.

Tips:

• Send in a large, clear, and well-lit photo.
• Try to use natural light to illuminate your photos.
• Double check to make sure that your full name and email address are included in the body of your email. We continue to receive submissions with no contact information.

PART TWO: Announcing Swarovski Innovations Autumn/Winter 2012-2013 Release

Yesterday we revealed to you the stunning new colors released by Swarovski for their latest collection. Prepare to be wowed once again as we give you a sneak peak at the fabulous new shapes being offered by everybody's favorite manufacturers of fine Austrian crystal. Let's take a look at these brand new articles, a.k.a. shapes, shall we?

There are two gorgeous new styles of bead that are about to be offered through Beadaholique: the first being the new Oval Bead. This classic shape, with its even geometric faceting, lends itself to fine jewelry design and casual DIY beading projects alike.

The next bead shape featured in this release is a familiar one.  It is the more petite cousin of the beloved Wild Heart Pendant, in bead form.  I can just see it used in an overtly romantic design, aligning these new beauties with some round Swarovski beads and pearls, and topping the design off with a Wild Heart Pendant.




Swarovski has come up with three new stunning pendant styles-- each one as unique and exciting as the next:

First, we have the Helix Pendant.  This angular drop shape has facets which curve gently around the pendant, creating an intriguingly modern form, while still retaining a classic element.




Not to be outdone by the Helix, our next newbie - the Graphic Pendant - is true to its name.  Having an innovative, asymmetrical & unisex shape, the Graphic Pendant possesses multiple industrial-style facets for a bold, graphic effect.




Finally, in the pendant category, (and this is my favorite) we have the Rhombus Pendant. This ultra chic shape has a true vintage 1940's feel to it, yet is completely current at the same time.




There you have it! We hope everyone is as excited as we are about these new articles. Stay tuned for the third and final installment in our revelation of the new Swarovski collection!


-Andrea

PART ONE: Announcing Swarovski Innovations Autumn/Winter 2012-2013 Release - Part One

Swarovski has just announced its new colors, effects and styles for the the Fall/Winter season!  These gorgeous new elements are due to be shipped out from Austria at the end of the month - we can't wait.   

We are very excited to share with you a new Swarovski color, Denim Blue;  a new Swarovski effect, Crystal Antique Pink; and a new Swarovski pearl color, Crystal Petrol Pearl. In tomorrow's blog we will share with you all the new shapes and sizes, but today is all about color! 

Denim Blue in Swarovski crystal is a color many designers have been wishing for for years! Considering how designer jeans and sports wear continue to greatly influence fashion trends, it seems only natural to want a cool blue to accent daily attire. Whether incorporating into dangle earrings, a wire wrapped ring, or a multi-strand bracelet, this versatile color will be perfect for going out in everything from designer denim to a black cocktail dress. For evening, try pairing Denim Blue with other Swarovski colors such as Crystal Silver Night, Jet Black, or Jet Hematite. This particular shade would look lovely with the new silver filled wire, findings, and components recently added to the Beadaholique website. As Swarovski says "Blue is the main trend color for Fall/Winter 2012/13 and beyond." We couldn't agree more!

Crystal Antique Pink is a new effect put out by Swarovski for the Autumn/Winter 2012-2013  season. As their designers tell us "this new effect captures the design world’s rediscovered capacity to address the rosy side of life and is therefore a perfect fit to the strong, on-going trend towards nostalgic and vintage-inspired hues." If you have followed my blogs and designs, you already know I am extremely fond of all things vintage. I am already looking forward to pairing this new effect with Vintaj brass filigree and stamped pieces. This rosy tone will blend beautifully with not only brass, but copper, gold and silver as well. It truly seems to be a color that will go with everything. It will be nice to have this subtle yet eye-catching shade to incorporate into feminine designs which need a soft touch but not a "sugary" one. 

And last but not least is my personal favorite, a new Swarovski pearl color: Crystal Petrol Pearl. Keeping up with the popularity and movement towards blue being the new black, this rich blue tone can be dressed up or dressed down to meet all your designing needs. Sharing the rich luster which Swarovski pearls are know for,  Crystal Petrol Pearls exude glamor and sophistication. My first project will be to pearl knot a strand together with black Griffin silk beading cord and finish off with an Elegant Elements Clasp. A completely opposite but equally appealing direction would be to pair these pearls with Miyuki Delicas and have the pearls be the focal point of a bead weaving project. Wouldn't a pairing with Miyuki Delicas in Matte Metallic Teal Iris or even Root Beer Lined Amber be simply smashing! 

Have fun day-dreaming about your new designs and check back tomorrow when we will reveal all the new and exciting shapes and sizes! 

- Julie 

Fall/Winter Color Trends Forecast

Swarovski has released its version of a Fall/Winter Color Trends Forecast. I like the fact that they have supplied suggestions for contrast colors. This handy guide will help you design jewelry for your own winter wear, and winter craft sales, that will have a better chance of (a) matching customer’s new outfits, and (b) fitting in to their perceptions of what is currently fashionable.

There are quite number of companies that offer color trend forecasts to the fashion and home design industries. One of the best-known is Pantone. These firms churn out reports several times a year, often charging big bucks for them. They employ fashion designers, magazine editors, photographers and artists. These experts watch fashion trends in Europe and the Americas carefully. Some companies even create trend reports specific to locales such as individual cities or countries. All are dedicated to creating condensed reports on what’s happening in diverse arenas, from haute couture runway shows to the homemade innovation of street kids’ fashions.

I have a friend who is a veteran of the garment industry, and I asked him about these reports, and whether he thought they weren’t creating self-fulfilling prophecies. After all, if everyone reads them, and follows them, then the trend predictions will come true, right?

My friend shrugged. “Who knows? I think they are an aid for the mass market fashion industry to show a cohesive vision. When you go to the mall, you will see similar color stories in a lot of different stores. This means you can buy separates from different designers and still coordinate them.

“But not everyone follows these reports. The great fashion houses and up and coming avante garde designers go their own way. They inspire future trends. When those trends finally filter down to popular fashion, the really original designers have moved on.”

So should you take this Swarovski color report seriously? I would look at it more as a possible guide. If the colors don’t excite you, go your own way. That’s what the best innovators do.