Accidentally on Trend

 

A week or so ago I spotted the Pantone Color of the Year for 2016. My first reaction to the baby blue and pink, uh - no thank you. And then I saw the spring color palette. Not for me.

But then, as I started seeing the colors everywhere, I couldn't help but notice how trendy and fresh the colors were feeling and that I hadn't really given then much of a chance. I remember feeling the same about Marsala last year. 

But then it hit me as I was looking at some of the entries for the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge. Our inspiration painting this month was totally on trend in the color palette and color of the year for 2016. Kinda shocking considering the painting was created in 1951 by French artist Maria Helena Vieira de Silva. 

And later that same week I created these winter inspired wobbles and blam, totally the colors of our challenge and hey - is that Serenity Blue and Rose Quartz subconsciously stuck in there. Why yes, I think it is. And then I really started to look into the Color of the Year and spring palette with a new perspective and found a wealth of inspiration.

Here are two more color palettes I pulled from the inspiration painting. I went for a mix of grey and muted colors to balance out blue and pink.

For this palette I would focus more on blue/yellow combo with the pink and rust as small accent.

The HOLY GRAIL Pinterest Board 

for the Pantone Spring Colors for Jewelry Designers

2016 Spring Trends

100 pins of color combinations, patterns, art, fashion, jewelry and beads

I know it's not even really winter yet and I'm already jumping ahead to spring. But in a few weeks everything is going to be new year, new goals, new designs and you'll be so happy to have some spring colors to play to use in your jewelry.

So for this weekend only I'm having a flash sale on my website.

Use code COLORFLASH for 30% off your order. Sale ends Monday.

But check out the Pinterest board first for your inspirations!

www.humblebeads.com

So what do you think of Pantone's Colors of the Year? 

Did you take a look at my Pinterest board and have any different reactions? 

Bead Table Wednesday: Trendy Pineapples

I'm taking a workshop on pattern design and every two weeks we get a trend report. This week's report included tropical inspirations and I have to say pineapples struck my fancy! At first I was like, pineapples? Really? But then I did a little pinning and I was like, heck yeah - what else BUT pineapples? So I will get to the watercolors this weekend but the clay was begging to be transformed into pineapples. So of course, I listened to my crazy, sometimes off-her rocker muse and made some pineapple beads. And then I made this bracelet for myself because I seriously am in love with pineapples now! 

Pineapple Express by humblebeads 

See, you were scared weren't you? Pineapples. Yep, pineapples. Love the artsy hand-drawn on on the t-shirt. And pineapples paired up with stripes - yeah, that's the ticket for me! I love it. (Click on the little icons above for links to each item.)

You can find the instructions for the bracelet here. For the accent beads I used one of my wobbles, bead caps from Gardanne, Green Girl Studios and Vintaj along with Czech glass. 

I only made two extras of these, so if the pineapples grabbed your attention too head on over to my Etsy shop and start singing, 

"If you love pina coladas and gettin' caught in the rain..."

I made a few tiny charms for earrings, thinking I need to a pendant now too. These would be so stinkin' cute with my beach house bead. Am I right? In case you are wondering that's my pineapple sketch in the background.

And of course, I had to make matching disk beads! These can all be found in my Etsy shop.

So what's on your bead table? Leave a link in the comments below to your blog or use #BeadTableWednesday on Instagram.  Follow me on Instagram @humblebeads.

BTW: Bead & Button Loot

What's on my bead table today? Why goodies from Bead & Button, of course!

My art bead stash includes: Marsha Neal, Julie Miller, Lisa Peters, Golem, Tesori Trovati, Pumpkin Hill Glass, Diane Hawkey, Andrew Thornton, Green Girl Studios, Firefly Design Studio, Gardanne, Thornberg Beads, Kim Fields and Julie Nordine. 

Add in some Humblebeads for maximum inspiration impact!

One of my new show favs - the very sweet and talented Anne from Gardanne Beads. Perfect Humblebeads color combo!   

I didn't pick up much beyond art beads. Of course, now I wish I had!

And I just jumped right in making stuff! I couldn't help myself - I was so inspired by all these goodies.

I'm addicted to stacking beads into these sweet totem style necklaces. 

Whipped these up Saturday morning before the show. 

Bead & Button is always so much fun. I love hanging out with my beady tribe in person. And most of all I love spending the weekend with my two cheerleaders, booth assistants, personal shoppers and all around best bead bud on the planet Erin Prais-Hintz and my auntie Rosanne. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and said hello. I loved visiting with each of you!

The booth and new goodies from Humblebeads.

I hope to list the new beads before the end of the week. 

And up next? Oh let's all head to Philly for Bead Fest in a few months! I will be there in the artisan area and I can not wait!!!

So what's on your Bead Table today? #BeadTableWednesday on Instagram or include your link below. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Play Vs. Procrastination

I don't know why, but sometimes when I have deadlines piled up the weirdest ideas come into my head and I feel possessed to get them out into the world.  If you've seen the Anthropologie necklace that inspired the trend of tiny banner necklace you know why these just had to come into being! I couldn't resist giving the theme a Humblebeads' spin.  These may be the only ones I make or they may evolve into something else down the line.  In the meantime, they were a fun and quick distraction from my ever-mounting to-do list.

Visit my other blog to see some banner birthday drawings and a round up of crafty banner tutorials.

And a real reason to wave the banners - the winner of the Polymer Clay Pizazz 2 book giveaway is Skygazer/Christy!!!  Christy please email me your mailing address and I will ship that right out to you.

Oh Deer and Other Holiday Trends

Wondering what the current holiday trends are for those selling on Etsy? I'm not an expert, but I do keep my eye on themes, notice designs reoccurring in magazines and read the trade reports.

1. Woodland - Birds are still going strong. Deer, whether it's reindeer, fawns or bucks I keep seeing them! Acorns, pine cones, feathers, trees - these are themes I've noticed on everything from housewares to stationary to jewelry and more.

2. Sugar-coated - it's a candy colored world out there. I've noticed this trend leaning more toward vintage, like old-Hollywood meets the North Pole. Glitter, tinsel, paper ephemera from Christmas past are paired up with vintage trims and sparkly baubles.

3. Christmas is more Christmasy this year with a nod toward holidays past. Classic red and greens with nostalgic motifs like mittens, snowflakes, trees and stockings can be seen in many magazines this season.

4. You big softie! Felted ornaments, crocheted snowflakes, soft and cuddly accessories in wool and cotton are big for decorating our homes and ourselves this chilly season.

Colors that seem trendy for jewelry this holiday - elegant designs in black and shades of plum and berry. Purple is THE color for fall and it will transition into winter too.

Well, that's it for now. What trends have you noticed or maybe you'd like to just announce a trend you plan on spear-heading this holiday season?