Color Study

Do you have a color wheel in your bead kit?  If not, pick one up the next time you are at the craft store and give it a whirl for a world of inspiration.  Here is a simple color study with my Poppy Pendant and a few accents.  Three simple color combinations inspired by the color wheel include:

Monochromatic - Colors of the same hue in varying values (light and dark).
Complimentary - Colors across each other on the color wheel.
Analogous - Colors next to each other on the color wheel.

So let's start with monochromatic color schemes, like the one shown above.  While it may seem like a no-brainer to use the same colors in a necklace, keep in mind that a successful monochromatic design needs contrast.  The contrast can be in the light and darkness of the colors used, but also the textures, size and shape of the beads will help offer visual interest. 

In the sample above I've paired up my Poppy with lampwork glass beads from Lori Bergmann, matte recycled glass beads from Yuki Designs and cord from Edwards Jewelry Supply Shop. 

Complimentary color schemes pop with vitality and punch.  Complimentary colors can offer a playful solution to your design challenge.  You can play around with the spectrum a little and don't have to follow the color wheel exactly.  A navy blue would pair up with a burnt sienna color, pumpkin orange or more of a yellow-ish orange.  Each color would offer a different feel paired up with the focal bead.  If you want to tone done the combination a little, add in a neutral color like a steel gray or warm wood brown. 

The complimentary set matches up lampwork beads from Lutrick, glass beads from Yuki Designs and cord from WISH Supplies.

Analgous colors are another fun combo, these are the colors next to each other on the color wheel.  For this set I went with blue, green and yellow.  But you could also go teal, blue, purple.  Or blue, purple, magenta.    These combinations can offer subtle and harmonious color schemes.

For this set I paired up the French cord from Fini Ribbon with lampwork beads from Serena Smith's Lampwork and yellow glass beads from Yuki Designs.

So which color combination grabs you?  Have you pulled out a color wheel lately?  Give it a whirl - it could be your wheel of fortune for hot designs that fly off your table at shows this summer!