Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Bead Color Ideas: Autumn Pearls

Pearls are one of the world’s first beads, and it’s no wonder that they’re still among our favorite things to include in jewelry. Nothing quite beats the shine and shimmer of pearls, and the gorgeous array of shapes and colors available in the freshwater variety is an instant recipe for inspiration.

With all of the fall foliage brightening up my days, I thought it would be fun to explore the possibilities for color combinations including a gorgeous strand of fiery brown semi-round pearls. These ones are a delicate 3-4 mm, which is perfect for beadweaving. They’re just the right size for embellishing all kinds of stitches and projects, from rings to ropes to cuffs.

Woodland Fantasy Bead Palette Idea


I started with an easy contrast of blues. When in doubt, brown and blue always make a pleasing combination, especially when the blues are amazing. My first pick was a gorgeous black-lined blue which has a great glow. To keep things cool and match the finish of the pearls, I finished the trio with some AB dragonfly seed beads. I think this palette would work really well with a woodland fantasy theme.

Boozy Dessert Bead Palette Idea


Next I went in a totally different direction and chose pinks and reds to highlight the warmth of the pearls. The intensity of the transparent ruby seed beads really plays well with the brown pearls, making it look more burgundy, while the pink adds a touch of shimmer and sweetness. This palette almost looks like the ingredients for a drunken dessert – very yummy.

Fall Breeze Bead Palette Idea


Last but not least, I chose two contrasting seed beads that are both autumn inspired and refreshing. Together the Autumn Tucson gold and minty blue are a great pair. With the addition of the pearls, they’re ready to make an eye-catching bracelet, or perhaps some earrings. This one brings to mind a cool breeze on a bright day – the kind that swirls the leaves around and reminds you why fall is so fantastic.

Do you have a favorite shade of freshwater pearls? How do you like to use them?

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