Bead Color Triads: Pantone Palettes

Jewelry and fashion are deeply intertwined, not only in function, but in design as well. After working with Pantone palette’s for a necklace idea last year, I developed a great affection for these pre-chosen colors.

Whether you like to conform to trends, or just want a little boost of inspiration, Pantone color palettes provide a great starting point. Sometimes all it takes to get your creativity going is a fresh perspective or challenge.

The Spring 2011 selection is called An Exotic Journey. Ten colors were chosen by top designers, inspired by exotic locations and travel destinations. I thought it would be fun to break up these swatches into three unique and vibrant bead sets.

The only color that didn’t make the cut was Silver Peony. I had to cut one of them, and this one was the hardest to match with my bead stash. Although an essential neutral for fashion wardrobes, here it seems to look weak and washed out against the rest of the colors. Today, I wanted triads that really pop!

Russet, Blue Curacao, Beeswax

The first palette was an almost automatic connection. The rich brown almost seems to stretch across the screen and link up with the deep yellow shade. After that, it was just a matter of finding the right contrast to make a pretty trio.

The three colors together have a beautiful, tropical vibe. I was thinking sunshine, golden sand, coconuts and blue waves. So, I gathered up some chocolate brown pearls, matte topaz pressed glass shells, and ceylon light aqua seed beads.

Coral Rose, Peapod, and Lavender

Orange is a tough color to create palettes with. It often dominates the other colors, and can at times be too loud to look elegant. To help keep things mellow, I decided to create a nice, but not too obvious, fall palette - one that could easily make it’s way through spring, and perhaps even add a bit of much needed warmth.

Once I started pulling beads for this triad, it changed from fall leaves to spring flowers almost instantly. Here we have hyacinth fire polish rounds, wisteria lined 11/o seed beads, and 15/o jonquil lined aqua. This palette has plenty of zing, thanks to the hyacinth orange. All it needs is some bees!

Honeysuckle, Regatta, Silver Cloud

The final trio features the 2011 It color, honeysuckle pink. This is the one that will dominate trends throughout the year. I like the carefree quality that these three colors have together. They have plenty of personality, without being pretentious.

To translate these colors into beadwork, I picked out some hot pink fire polish rounds, and 11/o seed beads in white lined aqua and ceylon black. This palette definitely has me wishing for warmer weather.

Which Spring 2011 color is your favorite?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Pantone Color Institute and Nanette Lepore
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