Monday, August 22, 2011

Bead Color Trios: August Sunsets

Orange Sunset

The last half of August is sort of an ironic time of year. If you adore summer, it might seem unfortunate that it’s so close to ending. On the other hand, some of the most wonderful things about summer are only beginning. The end of August is usually when the fair comes to town, and it’s one of the best times to see gorgeous, vibrant sunsets.

Although fabulously colorful sunsets can happen at any time of the year - the one shown here is actually from January - they are somehow more spectacular in August. Perhaps it’s because we are enjoying good times, or even lamenting the passing of yet another summer, that they seem so poignant. Or maybe it’s just because we happen to be outdoors, with the horizon in view, more often at this time of year.

Either way, the colors of a perfect summer sunset are irresistible - but can we capture them with beads? This month’s bead triads are a combination of purple, pink and orange. These are some of the most ostentatious colors in the spectrum - they are often used as bold hues in exciting ways. The trick with this combination was to find beads that looked nice together, and to create blends with the same moods as sunsets in August.

August Sunsets Palette


One of the first colors I went for was hyacinth orange. The color is unusual and intense, like the world’s most exotic fruit punch. It’s a strong color, so I paired it with equally bold pink and purple. I call this palette Reflected Fire, because it has the qualities of a sunset seen from the beach. The hyacinth fire polish rounds look dramatic with 11/o seed beads in shocking pink and purple lined Rosaline.

Reflected Fire Bead Palette


Next I went for some very citrusy orange shell coins, and combined them with pink lined crystal peanuts, and purple lined crystal 6/o seed beads. I love the soft, sweet qualities of the seed beads, and they make a great complement for the zesty orange. This trio reminds me of the Old Fashioned Sweets that one can find in shops at heritage themed amusement parks.

Old Fashioned Sweets Bead Palette


I was so happy with the first combination using hyacinth orange, that I wanted to try using it again, this time with Swarovksi crystal bicones. I added vintage amethyst glass leaves and fuchsia lined 11/o seed beads, and got this:

Holy Hyacinth! Bead Palette


Once I had the beads all set out together, I realized it wasn’t quite right. It’s certainly doable, but there was an opportunity for something even better. I removed the hyacinth crystals and immediately added light tangerine seed beads instead to create Orchard Hammock - a palette that is both fruity and sleepy.

Orchard Hammock Bead Palette


Sunsets come in a great variety of intriguing colors. What combination is your favorite?

Copyright 2011 Inspirational Beading
Subscribe to Inspirational Beading
Get inspired on Facebook


6 comments:

  1. I love the second pallete! It's soft but definately makes a statement!
    Nissa
    http://versatilejewelry.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting how the substitution of the tangerine seed beads enhanced your third palette. My favorite is also the second, but I would be tempted to add gray to this colorway and tranform it into an urban sunset.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the idea of adding grey! I think that is definitely the missing ingredient that would make Old Fashioned Sweets really gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Do you know where I can find a free tutorial on triangle peyote bead weaving?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love those purple leaf beads! I have some of them, too. Both of the combinations with them are great.

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Melinda - One of the best tutorials for triangular peyote I've seen is from the book Little Beaded Boxes by Julia S. Pretl. You might be able to find a copy at your local library.

    There are also some good tutorials online. You can find a diagram of the steps here:

    http://www.lirigal.com/BeadingInstruction.aspx?user=Liri&itemid=72&plang=en&

    And an great explanation of the basic techniques here:

    http://randomcreative.hubpages.com/hub/Beaded-Peyote-Triangle-Step-by-Step-Instructions

    I hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Inspiration Topics

accessories amulet Ancient Worlds Modern Beads animals April's Army art ArtFire astrology astronomy autumn awards awareness bangle beach Bead Inspired Bead Shops bead soup bead spotlight bead stash Bead Trays beaded beads beading theory beads belt bezel birthstones black blog spotlight blue boho bone book spotlight bracelet Bracelet A Week branch fringe brick stitch brown bugles buttons cabochon ceramic chain maille challenge charity chevron chain christmas collar Collections color Color Ideas color triads conservation craft shows crafts crochet crystals cuff Culled Beads current events Current Faves daggers Daily Sets daisy chain Delicas Destash drops Dutch spiral earrings Egypt Egyptian Gods embellishing embroidery environment etsy exotic fair trade fantasy fashion Favorite Beads Favorite Techniques feminine fibers film findings fire polish fixtures Flashback Test flickr inspiration flowers food found object free form fringe Geek Jewels geekery gemstones geography giveaway glass gold gray Greece green herringbone hex cuts history holiday home decor insects inspiration tip inspired beader Inspired by... Inspiring Links ivory Jewelry Stash knitting ladder stitch lampwork lariat leaf fringe leather lights literature loomwork macrame magatamas Master Class Medallions metal free metalwork Mini Collar a Week mixed media mixture Mood Board MOP multi-color multi-strand music natural beads nature necklace Necklace a Day Nepal chain netting New Beads ocean ombre orange paint paper patterns pearls pendant peyote photography Picasso finish pink Pinspiration PMC polymer clay poster sketch purple quick inspiration rainbow RAW red resin ring Ring a Day rivoli Rome Russian spiral scarf science seed beads shell silver soutache spiral rope spring square stitch St. Petersburg steampunk stringing stripes summer tagua TBT The Elements thread Tilas Time Capsule tools trade beads triangle weave tribal tropical turquoise tutorial two-hole beads Ugly vintage Wear it Twice weather white winter WIP wire wishlist wood World Beaders yellow
Blog Home * About * Beading Tutorials * Advertise

Learn About Sponsoring Inspirational Beading with Project Wonderful
Affiliated With ShareASale.com and Amazon.com