I have several pieces in the new spring issue of Stringing—two pairs of earrings, two necklaces, a bracelet, and a feature article on redesign. Each piece has a story behind it, including the earrings.
Last year I attended the Bead Renaissance show in Denver determined to be more adventurous with color. I bought tubes of orange and yellow seed beads from Beyond Beadery, along with some orange tauga nuts from Lillypilly Designs and some yellow striped glass from Sonoran Beads. I could practically hear my heart beating through my chest as I stood in line to pay. Just the purchase of those orange and yellow beads felt very daring!
Tips for Working with a New Color
Here are two tips I learned making those orange and yellow earrings:
1. Start small.
It's admirable to jump into new colors with a bold multistrand necklace or 3-piece jewelry set. But I knew that if I tried to go big immediately, my muse would run away! A pair of earrings was just right for a cautious first step.
2. Combine the new color with a color you already like.
Both earrings were combined with brown and copper, neutrals I liked and felt comfortable with. It felt a little less scary—much like dipping your toe into the water first, rather than plunging in.
This was a small step for me, but a successful one. For the fall issue, I've submitted a bracelet that combines orange and brown--and aqua!
Color Challenge
If you need a push to experiment with color, check out the color challenge offered at Art Bead Scene. Deadline is April 1st. You also might enjoy Margie Deeb's webiste. It's loaded with great color tips. Good luck!