White Freshwater Pearls with Antique Look

I just love these new earrings using white freshwater pearls and ruby red crystals. The bronze gives them and aged, antique look. Check them out in my shop - just click on the image below.

Color Inspiration X

This week my color inspiration comes from this copper, ivory, and green Tudor-style gown. Fall is my favorite season, but the color palette feels earthy. So, in honor of Earth Day yesterday, I would like to tackle the color combination here. The dress is pictured below, along with coordinating bead ideas.

You can use any of your favorite beading suppliers. I find that Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has great variety. All of the beads I post can be found on that site. If you click the image, you will be linked to that item on the site in a new window.

I chose these Celestial Crystal ivory glass teardrop pearls and Swarovski crystal cream pearl beads to replicate the pearl shapes in the jewels that take center stage on this gown.

I chose both Swarovski Crystal Passions faceted tangerine rondelle and round beads to represent the amber colored jewels that appear in the shape of ovals and circles. Of course, these will also capture the copper and orange highlights in the gown itself. 

I chose these Swarovski Crystal Passions crystal clear bicone beads to act as spacers between the tangerine beads.  

Last, but not least, I added these Delica opaque jade green seed beads to reproduce the deep green of the sleeves. I try to choose a seed bead color that will "frame" the other colors because typically that is how they are used in beading patterns.

Celebrate the Earth in this warm and natural color palette. You can't go wrong with copper/amber and ivory. Please post any pieces that you make using this combination.

Earrings using Freshwater Pearls

I have added some new earrings to my shop (see link above). 

Elegant drop earrings created using Sand Freshwater Pearl, Antiqued Basket Element, and Clear Fire Polished Bead

Fun and whimsical earrings created using White Freshwater Pearl, Antiqued Flower Element, and Swarovski Clear Crystal.

Color Inspiration IX

This gown was worn during the Romanov era by the Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna (Sister of Nicholas II, Russia) in 1894. The striking richness of this dress is accentuated by the blue velvet, white silk and gold thread. The dress is pictured below, along with coordinating bead ideas.

Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia

You can use any of your favorite beading suppliers. I find that Fire Mountain Gems and Beads has great variety. All of the beads I post can be found on that site. If you click the image, you will be linked to that item on the site in a new window.

I chose these white pearl Swarovski crystal beads to provide the essential, beautiful white bodice and skirt of the dress.

I chose these dark Indigo blue Swarovski bicone crystal beads to capture the Royal Blue train of this dress. 

I chose these metallic pale gold fire-polished glass beads to represent the gold embroidery color throughout the dress. 

I chose these silver-lined gold Delica seed beads to further highlight the delicate embroidery, but also the emphasize the extravagance of the dress. I try to choose a seed bead color that will "frame" the other three colors because typically that is how they are used in beading patterns.

The blue, white, and gold are powerful colors individually, but together they really make a statement. Announce your arrival through your jewelry created with this combination. Please post any pieces that you make using this combination.

Color Inspiration VIII

Between 1897 and 1919, Claude Monet painted about 250 versions of Water Lilies. The image below is one of my favorites. The focus of these paintings was a garden at Monet's home in Giverny, France. This particular painting of Water Lilies was composed in 1906 and is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago. Using this masterpiece for inspiration, I have provided color coordinating beads that can be found at Fire Mountain Gems (links are provided). 

Yellow

I chose these "silver-lined lemon" Delica Seed Beads to represent the yellow in this painting. However, if you look at the swatch closely, you can see that there is green undertones. The silver lining in the seed bead alters the yellow just right to capture the vibrant, yet muted yellow.

Red

I chose these "Siam" Swarovski crystal, Crystal Passions beads to represent the red in this painting. There is a maroon tint to the red with hints of pink. 

Green

I have two choices for the green portion of this painting. First is this Czech pressed glass "emerald green" bead cap. It would be a creative and beautiful element to any piece of jewelry. Second is this Czech fire-polished glass "emerald green AB" bead. With the AB finish, the green shows of hues of yellow, as seen in the paining. 

Blue

I chose a Swarovski crystal "lapis" pearl to represent the blue in this painting. The lapis has subtle hints of purple which is consistent with various sections of the water in Water Lilies. 

Let your imagination go wild. These colors are gorgeous in any season and in any combination. I would love to see any creations using this "color inspiration." Leave me a comment below.