Daily Blogs : color

6 Expert Tips for Creating Marbled Polymer Clay Beads

Michelle M. — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:43:00 GMT

If you’re like me, you’d rather not talk about how much you’ve spent on beads in your lifetime or how many of those beads have yet to be used in a piece of jewelry. Oh, the guilt! Making your own beads out of polymer clay enables you to make them for a tiny fraction of the cost you’d pay for most beads. More important, you can make them exactly the size, shape and color you want. ...(read more)

Express Your Personality with Beads

Michelle M. — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Queen Elizabeth I . . . the color ‘cornflower’ . . . Yoda . . . What do they have in common? Apparently, according to the online personality quizzes I’ve been taking lately that tell me things like which famous figure, color, and Star Wars character I am, it’s me! I know they’re not exactly scientific, but they are big fun when I need a little work break. ...(read more)

Using Black for Drama in Jewelry Designs

Michelle M. — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:52:00 GMT

Today I'm sharing a column by color expert Margie Deeb who writes the "Colorworks" column in every issue of Step by Step Beads. This column on using black (originally published in the January/February 2008 issue) will give you several ideas on how to combine black with other colors or with black beads of different finishes. I've recently been fascinated by the effect of black on other colors, particularly in seed bead work. Take a look at my Jane of the Jungle bracelet as an example.--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor....(read more)

6 Ways to Combine Beads with Paper

Michelle M. — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:53:00 GMT

Whenever I venture into one of the local craft stores, I try to take a detour of the scrapbooking section to look at all the papers. Why would a beader ever care about pretty paper? What can you do with it? ...(read more)

5 Tips for Designing with Color

Michelle M. — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:25:00 GMT

Color is such a key element of good design. Yet each of us wrestles now and then with being in a color rut—“I only buy purple beads”—or wondering what shade of blue brings out the best in a new multicolored lampwork pendant. Do you ever watch The View on TV? If so, you’ll understand how much fun it is to poll several of our bead magazine editors and learn new and different angles from each one....(read more)

Free Project: Caribbean Sunset Multistrand Necklace with Pendant

Editor — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Inspiring Focal Beads

When I asked Beading Daily readers a few weeks ago to tell me about their "problem" beads, lampwork or other focal types of beads were at the top of the list. In most cases, it wasn't that the bead was actually a problem--they weren't extremely heavy or hard to string. Instead, it was a question of how to best showcase a beautiful bead that you really love. The good news is that it's easier than you think.

Free project: Caribbean Sunset Necklace

Julia Watt began her Caribbean Sunset Necklace with the shell pendant, which inspired the colors of the necklace, the use of natural beads (pearls and fossilized coral), and the "ocean" elements like the silver dolphin clasp and fish bead. Using a pendant as a starting place for a design is a tried-and-true technique that I've used many times.

Try this: choose one or more colors from the focal bead to use in your own necklace. You don't need to match the colors exactly--you can choose darker or lighter shades, or mix them to add depth. If you're really adventurous, add some contrasting elements. You could choose a color on the opposite side of the color wheel (orange and blue?!), matte beads (to contrast with the shine of the pendant), rugged man-made beads instead of smooth, natural pearls (Lucite nuggets?) . . . anything you like!

In addition to the pendant, there are two other features in this necklace that are worth a closer look:

A Singular Sensation

I often wonder what to do with the single beads in my collection. If you have two beads leftover from a project, then obviously you make a pair of earrings, right? But how do you use a single bead--especially one not large enough to be a focal? The simple addition of this silver fish bead adds visual interest to a symmetrical necklace, but does not detract from the glorious focal bead. If you want to start creating asymmetrical necklaces, this little step of throwing in a slightly larger random bead on one side of the necklace is a great place to start.

How to Use Cones in Multistrand Necklaces

The Caribbean Sunset necklace uses a one-to-three design with one strand at the back transitioning to three strands in the front. Multistrand necklaces are fun to make, but for me, the multiple strands at the back of the neck can feel too bulky (especially if you like your necklaces tucked under your shirt collar), so I really like the idea of a necklace that has the multiple strands only in the front. Whatever kind of multistrand necklace you create, you may want to use cones to cover the ends and keep them neat.

To use a cone, attach the strands to an eye pin, pass the eye pin through the wide end of the cone, covering the ends of the strands. Form a wrapped loop at the tip of the cone that attaches to the clasp. (This necklace uses a wrapped loop on both ends, which is another option if you don't have any eye pins.)

About the Designer

Julia Watt is a freelance photographer, clothing/costume designer, pianist, wife, and mom. (And she still has time to bead!) See two of Julia's designs ("Crystallized Pearls" and "Marrakech Set") in the Spring 2008 issue of Stringing on sale February 28, 2008. You can learn more about Julia on her website: www.juliawattworks.com.

No Beading Daily on Monday, February 18 because of the holiday (President's Day). Here are two things to keep you busy in the meantime:

Start your glass jewelry design for the Beading Daily glass bead design challenge and you could win a fabulous lampwork focal bead or a cool new book! Entries are due March 2, 2008. Learn More.

Vote for the free project from Lisa Kan's Bead Romantique. Last day to vote is Monday, February 18, 2008. One vote per person; the project with the most votes will be free to Beading Daily members for a limited time. View the Projects and Vote Now.

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. She can't stop thinking about the orange and blue combination that she mentioned today. That sounds like a challenge! What's the most difficult color combination you've ever worked with?

Playing with Color: 3 Tips

Editor — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It's easy to get in a color rut in beading. Sometimes we don't even realize it! This past Christmas I wanted to make some pink earrings for someone who loves pink. I discovered I had no pink beads at all in my collection. Instead, I had probably every shade of blue you could imagine. I had no idea my bead stash was so unbalanced. So my color tip is a simple one: pick out a color you've never worked with--one that you might even hate--and design something! (And as always, I'd love to see it if you do!)--Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor

Tip 1: Experiment with the Same Colors, Different Placement

Beading Daily reader Elizabeth Cummins shared her experiments with using the same palette of colors in four different beaded designs. Notice how the colors look different depending upon their placement. Placing the same green beads next to blue or brown does make a difference! Try this with the same number of beads in different colors. Then try it with one color being the dominant one. This tip isn't just for seed bead folks. Try stringing several variations of a bracelet with the same 3 or 4 colors of beads and notice the difference!

Tip 2: Start with Classic Color Combinations

That first tip is great if you already have a color palette to use. But what if you don't have one? This next tip on color comes from beading instructor Laura Andrews. Laura will be teaching the River Net (pictured below) and Pearl Gate classes at Bead Expo Portland in March.

"Put your own spin on a classic color combination. For example, the innocent exuberance of primary colors red, blue and yellow can gain the regal sophistication of burgundy, navy, and topaz. Test color combinations by viewing a few beads of each color in your hand in natural light."--Laura Andrews

The "natural light" part of this tip is really key when working with color! I've been guilty of occasionally beading in poor light and later finding some odd beads in what I thought was a monochromatic piece.

Tip 3: Combine Light and Dark Shades

If you're used to creating monochromatic pieces, this final tip from Beverly Gilbert might help you stretch and grow as a designer. Beverly will be teaching Cornucopia of Gems (pictured below) and Wanderlust Bracelet at BeadFest Miami in April.

"When working with color, include light and dark shades of that color into your beadwork to add depth and movement. Doing the same thing with all of the colors in your piece will help blend the colors together and make your bead work glow!"--Beverly Gilbert

I haven't tried this exact tip, but I have sorted strands of gemstone beads by shade. (Watermelon tourmaline is especially fun.) Designing a necklace with a light shade at one end and darker shades at the other is an easy way to add visual interest to your design.

If you'd like more ideas about working with color, look for the "Color Works" column by Margie Deeb in every issue of Step by Step Beads.

Contest Reminder: Have you sent in your organization tip for the Beader's Stash Contest? Deadline is next Friday!

Michelle Mach is the editor of Beading Daily. Ironically, even though she normally loves playing with color, this weekend she has an ivory/gray/beige necklace to finish up.

Color Your World

Editor — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:00:00 GMT

My green pearl nightmare! I spent the weekend experimenting with color. For my first experiment, I used Jamie Hogsett's Champagne Necklace (from the new book, Create Jewelry: Pearls) as my inspiration. I used a narrower ribbon and thinner wire (26-gauge) than Jamie did, just because that's what I had on hand. For the pearls, I picked out a strand of multicolored Swarovski crystal pearls that had been languishing in my stash for months. I had purchased them thinking it was a smart budgetary move—rather than buying individual strands of all the colors I liked, this one multicolored strand would give me a little bit of everything. But the way the pearls arrived, strung temporarily together with pink next to green, lavender next to peach, just made them all look completely unappealing. (Imagine opening your closet to find it full of unflattering pastel bridesmaid dresses. That's what it felt like every time I saw those pearls!) I tried sorting them, but in a way, that was even worse. There was no way I would ever use all those green pearls!

Color experiment #1

To my surprise, those pearls actually looked good spread out on the ribbon, instead of jammed up against one another. They just needed a little breathing room.

My second experiment was prompted by something I just read in Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher: "If your work is monochromatic (one color), then what you see is what you get. Otherwise, each bead's color can be affected by the neighboring beads. This is one of the most exciting and compelling features of composing work from hundreds of such tiny units."

Using ladder stitch, I stitched together two rows of uninspiring olive/brown seed beads with some of my favorite blues and a little burgundy thrown in.
Boring!

I especially liked the olive and burgundy together, which is not a combination that I would have ever considered. If you want try this second experiment yourself, here's what you do:

Buy some seed beads in a color you don't particularly like.
Stitch these beads together with some beads you do like.
Prepare to be amazed!

Color experiment #2

I'd love to hear from some of you about your experiences with color, whether with beads or in another medium you enjoy. Any happy surprises? Tips? Horror stories?

Terrifically Tacky Seed Bead Tins

Editor — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Dustin and Michelle work on their tins at Bead Expo.

Are you ready for a seriously addictive beading technique? Dustin Wedekind, author of Getting Started with Seed Beads, showed Sandi Wiseheart and I how to create "Terrifically Tacky Tins" using seed beads, metal tins, Terrifically Tacky Tape, a needle, and thread. I promise that once you learn this technique, you'll start seeing potential beading projects everywhere from restaurant salt shakers to office filing cabinets!

We both found it challenging to work with the color palettes that Dustin chose for us. (If you're ever in a creative rut, having someone else choose your bead colors will snap you out of it!) The gecko on my tin is a button with the shank cut off. I also painted my tin with an acrylic paint. Sandi managed to sneak some purple glass butterfly

Sandi's ByzanTin (left) and Michelle's Southwest Cupcake.

beads and tiny bronze glass hearts into her design.

Before we were halfway finished, we were both saying, "And next time. . ." Here's a few tips we learned:

For a symmetrical design, lay the thread in a spoke pattern on the tape before beading to divide the space evenly into sectors. This also makes it easier to find the center.
Filling the tin with beads gives it enough weight so that it's not easily dropped while you work.
If you use the same size beads in a single row, you won't be aggravated by weird gaps in between rows.
Do your best not to drop the exposed tape on the cat. Enough said.

You can find more tips and the full instructions for these beaded tins in Getting Started with Seed Beads by Dustin Wedekind.