Bead Talk, March 2012 issue

Has your March come in as a lion or a lamb?

I grew up with this proverb – if March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb. Traditionally, it refers to the weather, however, for me; March came in extremely busy with a lion’s worth of activity!

I’ve moved into a new one-bedroom apartment in the same building I’ve lived in for the past 11 years. It’s amazing how much clutter that accumulates over a five-year period! With the help of several friends, I managed to move everything over. Mind you, it was the beads that I moved over first!

This issue of Bead Talk is definitely shorter and has come out much later than usual. June’s Bead Talk will get back to normal.

Lots of new information to share with you this month – especially news about my new website!

Take care and talk to you in June!
Pamela Kearns

Peyote Dreams’ new website now on-line
There are a few tweaks and fine-tuning to be done, but Peyote Dreams’ website is now up and running! My thanks to Lily Castillo-Insley who designed the site and got it all together. Lily is the owner and designer of Arte Grafica, a small business in Etobicoke.

There are some changes that you’ll notice when you go to http://www.peyotedreams.ca/:  

• The sale of patterns and jewellery will take place through Peyote Dreams’ store through Etsy. You can link to Etsy by clicking on ‘Etsy Store or ‘Shop’ at the top of the website.

• To see lots of photos of previous work, click on ‘Gallery’ to be directed to Peyote Dreams’ Flickr site.

• To find out what stores carry Peyote Dreams’ jewellery, click on ‘Find Us’.

• To contact Peyote Dreams, click on ‘Contact Us’ or e-mail me directly at peyotedreams@bell.net.

• A tab will be added for upcoming classes.

Any feedback that you have regarding the website is appreciated. My goal to is keep the website compact, easy to navigate and informative.

I highly recommend using Lily’s services. She has over 20 years of experience in design for materials and websites. Lily can be reached through her website: http://www.artegrafica.ca/.

Introducing a new line of quality jewellery
PeyotePlus
All women have the right to look great and feel confident! Period. Simple as that! That’s the philosophy that’s behind a new line of jewellery, called PeyotePlus.

Created with the same care, quality workmanship and materials as Peyote Dreams, PeyotePlus features jewellery that is designed with plus-size women in mind. Necklaces and bracelets are longer and feature larger elements that are in proportion for women with larger frames.

Those of you who have known me for year, know that I’ve been a plus-size woman all my life and have had to deal with extreme poor self-esteem, believing that jewellery would emphasis my overall size. As a jewellery designer, I know there’s a need to provide properly-designed jewellery for larger women. It’s more than just making necklaces and bracelets longer; you need to keep designs in proportion with larger frames.

As an example, the ‘Swarovski Solitaire’ bracelet in the Peyote Dreams line features a beaded bead comprised of 4mm Swarovski crystals. In the PeyotePlus line, the same design features a larger beaded bead using 6mm crystals. Smaller elements can get lost on a larger wrist, making the wrist appear larger than it really is.

Fashion and clothing has come a long way over the last few years when it comes to designing for larger women, but mass-market jewellery hasn’t. It is still difficult to find bracelets, bangles that fit a 7” – 8 ½” wrist or to find necklaces with pendants that hang at the right place. Right now the PeyotePlus line is limited but more is being designed and will be added soon. Customized designs are always available.


This is just one of the bracelets avaialble in the PeyotePlus line, specially designed for larger wrists.

Peyote Dreams and PeyotePlus feature jewellery created using bead-stitching and chainmaille techniques. Both lines are available on-line at www.etsy.com/shop/peyotedreams.

New Spring Seasonal pattern

Get your FREE peyote pattern for this bracelet by e-mailing your request at peyotedreams@bell.net.


Winter Snowmen have melted and have brought Spring Flowers. That’s the new seasonal pattern available from Peyote Dreams and is FREE for the asking. With no obligation or commitment, you can see for yourself the quality of patterns available from Peyote Dreams. Spring Flowers is an odd-count peyote design. Patterns include suggested colours, approximate quantities, a colour chart and work chart. It also feature instruction on how to take any flat peyote band and turn it into a bracelet.

Spring Flowers is only available until May 31 when a new Summer Seasonal pattern will be available. To request your own FREE pattern, e-mail peyotedreams@bell.net.

Upcoming Classes

Coming again in the June issue of Bead Talk. Classes are also listed at www.facebook.com/peyotedreams.

From the Design Board

Nothing new this month (still looking for all my beads and supplies!)

That’s all for this month, let’s talk again in June.
Take care and thanks for reading!

Pamela Kearns
Peyote Dreams

From Simple to Spectacular - St. Petersburg Chain

We first learn the basics; how to do some bead stitches and not stab ourselves with the needle. Eventually we want to go beyond the basic and really create something spectacular – but where do we begin?

In this (and future) posts, we'll take a look at how to embellish basic bead stitches and change it up to the next level. First, let's take a look at St. Petersburg Chain.

I really like St. Petersburg Chain. I have found that it lends itself to a lot of different looks by simply change the edging and introducing a few different beads.



Earrings and bracet - an example of
basic double St. Petersburg chain

 Here is an example of a double St. Petersburg chain earrings and bracelet. In fact, this is the photo that I use on my instruction sheets for St. Petersburg. By the way, a double St. Petersburg chain is stitched on both sides of the chain; a single St. Petersburg is stitched on one side.
 
In this example, I used 4mm round coral beads down the centre of both pieces; size 8 black seed beads in the 'branches'; and size 11 red seed beads to end the 'branch'.

A small change to a double
St. Petersburg Chain bracelet...

 

Let's change this up by adding a change to the edging of the chain...



You can see that the construction of the centre of the chain is the same. In this case I used 4mm firepolished glass beads down the centre and size 8 seed beads in the 'branches'.

 

The change comes in the edging - by using a loop of six size 11 seed beads, a mother-of-pearl disc and six more seed beads, you get a totally different look!

 

Colour-wise, I kept it all monochromatic in the creams and beiges and let the texture and movement of the discs take centre stage.



...and the earrings!


 







  

Single St. Petersburg chain (detail)



Let's change it up again! Here's a detail of a necklace I made for myself in single St. Petersburg chain (you see the full effect in the photo of me with an awkward smile). Note that only one side of the chain is stitched. In it I used 4mm black firepolished beads for the centre and size 8 black seed beads in the 'branches'.

In this case, I used an 8mm firepolished bead on the edge of each branch and a size 11 seed bead.

The total look is completely different from the previous example! The colours are pulled from the dress and there is no movement in the beads. The look now is classic and sophisticated. The necklace naturally curves with the large beads out to the edge.



Single St. Petersburg with shells down
the centre of the design.





One more change up! In the above examples, we made the changes to the edge of the St. Petersburg Chain. In this example, we change the centre of the chain.

The detail of the necklace.

In the construction of St. Petersburg Chain, the centre bead 'steps' you up to the next row or 'branch'. If you look closely at the seed beads at the shell discs, you will see that rour seed beads go from one row, through the shell disc, and six beads go from behind the disc to the next row. This forms the 'step up' the next row.



The 'branches are created using size 8 seed beads and the ends of the 'branches' use size 11 seed beads (just like the example of the basic St. Petersburg).

You can see that by making some small changes to basic and well-known stitches, you can create dramatic results! Try changing the shape of the edge bead. I'm looking forward to trying some pieces with dagger beads to give a spikey look to a necklace or bracelet.

In future posts, I'll take a look at changing up spiral rope and kumihimo! Stay tuned.



FREE Halloween peyote pattern!

I love Halloween and seeing all the kids dress up for fun. In honour of this fun time of fall, I've created a peyote pattern just for Halloween. Click here to access the file from my website.

Enjoy the pattern; it will be available only until October 31, 2011. When Halloween is finished, so will the pattern (there just may be something else though - just in time for Christmas!).

Bead Talk -- September 2011

September – Already?!

The days are a little shorter and the nights are a little cooler; that must mean we’ll be seeing a change in the leaves soon. I can’t believe that summer will soon be coming to an end. I’ve been out of the regular school system for quite a while, but ‘back to school’ sales still make me feel nostalgic. For those in business, the flyers should read, ‘stock up the office sale’. Hey, deals are deals!

As the holidays approach, we do find ourselves in need of gifts for others (and ourselves) and we remain on the lookout for unique items that offer value. Peyote Dreams strives to provide both to you – unique designs at good prices.

You’ll see some changes to Peyote Dreams during September. I’m reviving my Etsy site and connecting it to the Peyote Dreams’ Facebook page. The Peyote Dreams’ website will continue to show images of my work, but sales will go through Etsy.

Teaching continues to be a major feature of Peyote Dreams; it’s exciting to see the ‘A-ha’ moment when the student has learned a technique. The Arts Market, located on Queen Street East in Leslieville, is the newest location for classes. Classes are booked through to December at BeadFX and will feature a brand new project to learn – netted snowflakes! You can create a flurry of snowflakes for your tree and as gifts. Find out more in the class listings.

Enjoy September; we’ll talk again soon!

All the best,

Pamela Kearns
Peyote Dreams




You won't miss the Arts Market's
colourful facade!



Discover the Arts Market



Peyote Dreams is proud to be associated with a new business in Leslieville – the Arts Market! A year-round venue for local artists, the Arts Market features a wide variety of offerings from jewellery to kid’s wear to fine art. The Arts Market will also feature events – and this is where Peyote Dreams fits in! Peyote Dreams will be conducting a class in kumihimo (Japanese braiding) on Thursday, September 22; 7 – 9 pm. Come on out and create a bracelet! For complete details, see the class listing.

Feature story
Check out the ‘Fall’ Colours


No, we’re not talking about the fall leaves, but the colour trends for Fall 2011. The Pantone Colour Institute is the leading colour ‘specialist’ when it comes to forecasting and reporting colour trends in a wide array of industries including fashion, automobiles and printing. This year they are seeing a return to many of the jewel tones that we’ve seen in previous years – deep tones of colour with splashes of bright colours to brighten up the dull weather.


According to Pantone, “Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Much like a painter's masterpiece, there is a certain romance to this season's palette.”


Bamboo, a surprising fall hue, brings a warm, exotic flavor to the season. Like a filtered sunset on the waning days of fall, Bamboo is a standout yellow with a subtle green undertone. This dappled shade pairs dramatically with several of the top 10, including Phlox, Teal and Honeysuckle.


Radiant Emberglow, a traditional autumnal tone, emanates the warmth of a glowing fire – the perfect panacea to the crisp air of fall. Combine Emberglow with Coffee Liqueúr for a classic look, or with Honeysuckle for something a bit more retro. Add a spark with shoes or a handbag in Emberglow, or perhaps a patterned scarf combining purpled Phlox or Deep Teal.


Offering a sense of continuity from spring, dynamic Honeysuckle adds a bold punctuation point. This playful, reddish pink works with any other color in the palette, especially fall staples like Coffee Liqueúr and Nougat. To add some intensity, pair it with complementary Bamboo. Flirtatious and festive, Honeysuckle produces a healthy glow – great for cosmetics and holiday soirees.


Phlox, a magical, deep purple with a hint of mystery, is an outstanding statement when worn on its own. Add Phlox to this season's neutrals to create a bit of drama, or combine it with Cedar, Deep Teal or Coffee Liqueúr for something extraordinary. To add even more excitement, pair Phlox with Honeysuckle or Bamboo against a Cedar background – a combination inspired by Mother Nature.


Evoking the freshness of a cool mist in a dark forest, Cedar is a versatile, mid-tone neutral green. It is a natural with Deep Teal, and sophisticated and timeless with Phlox or Orchid Hush. Deep Teal, a strong, blue-toned green, suggests ocean depths and the color of the sky as daylight descends into darkness. A great standard when used with Cedar, its color-wheel neighbour, Deep Teal is also a unique counterpoint to Honeysuckle.


Consumers continue to add stability to their wardrobes with neutrals. Rich, decadent Coffee Liqueúr brings a sense of elegance to fall, and is a savory alternative to basic black. A deliciously warm camel tan, Nougat is tastefully embellished by Phlox, Emberglow or Honeysuckle. Orchid Hush, a unique tone of gray with complex orchid undertones, blends well with any other color in the palette. Quarry, a reliable medium gray, remains, as always, a practical, dependable staple.


For over 17 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for fall 2011.


What does this mean for you?
It certainly doesn’t mean that you toss all that you have and buy a new wardrobe (at least not in my house!). However, it may help you add a piece or two to your existing wardrobe


Do you follow colour trends? We’ve asked this at www.facebook.com/peyotedreams - give us your answer!


Upcoming Classes


All classes are listed at www.peyotedreams.ca (‘learn how to bead’ link) and www.facebook.com/peyotedreams (in events). To register for any class, please contact the store or venue directly.


Arts Market: $30 class fee + $15 materials fee; pre-registration required
(1114 Queen Street East, at Brooklyn, (647-997-7616)


Thursday, Sept. 22
7 to 9 pm
“East Meets West at the Kumihimo Wheel”
An introductory course to Kumihimo, also known as Japanese Braiding. Create ropes using satin cords, yarns and almost anything else!


Bead Alternative: $35 class fee + $15 materials fee (except where indicated); pre-registration required (679 Queen St. West at Bathurst, (647) 350-4910)

Saturday, Sept. 24
1 to 4 pm
“Around and around you go”
Create a rope of beads using a crochet hook, perle cotton thread and size 8 seed beads. Participants will create a bracelet. Kit: $18




Saturday, October 15
1 to 4 pm
“Spirals of Delight”
Spiral Rope is a great basic stitch that creates a rope that is strong and lightweight. The class will create a bracelet using spiral rope with glass focal beads. Technique can be expanded to create necklaces.

Saturday, October 29

1 to 4 pm
“From Russia with Love”
Learn all about the St. Petersburg Chain! Great for creating earrings, bracelets and necklaces, this deceptively easy stitch but one that can be embellished in oh so many ways. Participants will make earrings and a bracelet.


BeadFX classes: $30 class fee + $15 materials fee; pre-registration required
(128 Manville Road, Unit 9, Scarborough, (416) 701-1373)



Thursday, September 15
6 to 9 pm
“From Russia with Love”
Learn all about the St. Petersburg Chain! Great for creating earrings, bracelets and necklaces, this deceptively easy stitch but one that can be embellished in oh so many ways. Participants will make earrings and a bracelet.



Sunday, September 18
11 am to 2 pm
“Spirals of Delight”
Spiral Rope is a great basic stitch that creates a rope that is strong and lightweight. The class will create a bracelet using spiral rope with glass focal beads. Technique can be expanded to create necklaces.

Thursday, October 7
6 to 9 pm
"Around the Colour Wheel"
Primary colours – tertiary colours – complementary colours? I just want to bead! Understanding the colour wheel is a great help in understanding why colours go together – and why some don’t.

Sunday, October 30
11 am to 2 pm
"Okay, I know how to do Peyote stitch -- now what? HOLIDAY EDITION"
Using a simple even-weave pattern, participants will learn how to read peyote patterns and make pattern adjustments. The course will also cover how to estimate length and width from patterns when using delica beads. It will also touch on how you can create your own patterns. Participants will create a ‘Holly’ design bracelet and receive a pattern that includes three holiday designs.


In-studio classes at Peyote Dreams: $30 class fee + $15 materials fee (except where indicated)
FALL SPECIAL – register for two or more classes; get 10% off the class fee!
(991 O`Connor Drive, apt. 8 (416) 285-5237) Daytime hours available!

Wednesday, Sept. 21
7 – 9 pm
“Knights, Dragons and Chainmaille”
Chainmaille has its roots with the Celts and spread around the world providing added protection under armour. Learn the Byzantine and the Box patterns and create a bracelet.


Wednesday, October 5
6 – 9 pm
“Spirals of Delight”
Spiral Rope is a great basic stitch that creates a rope that is strong and lightweight. The class will create a bracelet using spiral rope with glass focal beads. Technique can be expanded to create necklaces.


Wednesday, October 19
6 – 9 pm
“From Russia with Love”
Learn all about the St. Petersburg Chain! Great for creating earrings, bracelets and necklaces, this deceptively easy stitch but one that can be embellished in oh so many ways. Participants will make earrings and a bracelet.


Wednesday, October 26
6 – 9 pm
“Around and around you go”
Create a rope of beads using a crochet hook, perle cotton thread and size 8 seed beads. Participants will create a bracelet. Kit: $18


Upcoming Shows


MeFest - Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
Saturday, October 1
9 am to 4:30 pm


The Heinzman House - 135 Bay Thorn Drive, ThornhillSunday, November 13
Saturday, November 12 &
10 am to 5 pm

Peyote Dreams Open House - 991 O’Connor Drive, apt. 8
Sunday, December 4
1 to 4:30 pm

From the Design Board

I’m having lots of fun experimenting with Kumihimo – the art of Japanese braiding. After creating the two-strand necklace, featured last month, I wanted to see what would happen if I added a third strand. Well, here it is!

The braids are done in a four-colour combination I call ‘wheatgrass’ which includes hunter green, light green, tan and ivory. The braid ends are capped with brass ends and join to a ‘slider’ clasp.

The bracelet features a three-channel peyote-stitched connector that links the braids creating a cuff effect. The bracelet is very lightweight and comfortable.

One of the features that I’m creating with the kumihimo designs are specific colour combinations that can be ordered when wanting a kumihimo piece. More combinations will be created, but so far, the combinations available are: Harlequin (tan, cardinal purple, hunter green, navy blue); Pink Sophisticate (strawberry pink, espresso, ivory, silver); Dusk (aqua blue, purple, navy blue, blue); African Violets (light green, hunter green, aqua blue, purple); Royalty (aqua blue, purple, cardinal purple, tan); Sunflower (yellow, tan, copper, olive); Apricot Brandy (chocolate, ivory, gold, peach); and Salt & Pepper (white, black and silver).

Pieces will now be available through the Peyote Dreams’ Etsy site. There’s not a lot there yet, but soon will be. You can get connect to the Etsy site by going to www.facebook.com/peyotedreams and click on the Etsy icon (left side of screen) or go to www.etsy.com/shop/peyotedreams.

If you would like more information about the jewellery that you see in Bead Talk or would like to inquire about custom pieces, please call me at (416) 285-5237 or e-mail me at peyotedreams@bell.net.

Well, that’s all for now; let’s get together again at the October issue of Bead Talk!

All the best,

Pamela Kearns

Peyote Dreams

(416) 285-5237

peyotedreams@bell.net

http://www.peyotedreams.ca/







Something a little more personal!

I usually share with you information about my beading; but this time, I'd like to share with you a more personal story. I recently entered a contest called "I Can Achieve" through CityLine, a TV program originating in Toronto on CityTV. It concerned my weightloss over the past three years. I invite you to read my story...



Me "Before"



My name is Pamela and live in Toronto. Three years ago I was newly unemployed, morbidly obese and moving on was simply overwhelming. With the help of my family doctor I had found a surgeon in the US and scheduled gastric by-pass surgery in April 2008 with the hope of getting healthy.

Now, after losing 165 pounds I have gained a new life! However, discovering who I was took more than just losing weight. Surgery was only a tool; it didn't address how I got to almost 400 pounds!

It took the help of Julie, my registered dietician, to teach me what to eat; counsellers Erin and Lucretia to help me find self-worth and personal value; and Microskills, a community organization, to help me start my own company. Friends and family gave me lots of emotional support and kept up the encouragement when things looked dark and uncertain.



Me in 2009



My company, Peyote Dreams, is going well. I believe that I have the talent and know-how to keep my business going. My business, by the way, is creating and selling beadstitched and chainmaille jewellery; teaching jewellery-making techniques; and designing custom designs for appreciative women.

I can wear bright and colourful clothing that reflects who I am. I can get on the TTC transit system and not get stuck in the turnstile - yes this really happened! I can hold my head high knowing that I am a valuable person.

None of this could have happened without losing the excess weight. I'm no longer pre-diabetic; have high-blood pressure and plagued with pain in my joints while walking.

I'm not finished yet. I'm working on getting physically fit (now that I can move without pain) and, at some point, will need to consider reconstructive surgery to remove excess skin.

I'm proud to share my story with others. I know that it takes lots of energy, dedication and tenacity to reach goals. If I can do it - anyone can!



Me "Now"



Making Sense out of Colour - Part 2, Colour Schemes

In Part 1 of Making Sense out of Colour, we looked at the traditional artist colour wheel and how the colour wheel was arranged. Let's now look at combining colours into various schemes!

Colour schemes
In colour theory, a colour scheme is the choice of colours used in design for a range of media. For example, the use of a white background with black text is an example of a basic and commonly default colour scheme in web design. In any case, the black and white combination produces the strongest contrast.

Colour schemes are used to create style and appeal. Colours that create an aesthetic feeling when used together will commonly accompany each other in colour schemes. A basic colour scheme will use two colours that look appealing together. More advanced colour schemes involve several colours in combination, usually based around a single colour. Colour schemes can also contain different shades of a single colour; for example, a colour scheme that mixes different shades of green, ranging from very light (almost white) to very dark.

On the colour wheel, colour schemes are often described in terms of logical combinations of colours on a colour wheel. Different types of schemes are used:

Monochromatic colour scheme
A monochromatic colour scheme consists of different values (tints and shades) of one single colour. These colour schemes are easy to get right and can be very effective, soothing and authoritative. While some may consider them less vibrant and 'boring', I find that it is an opportunity to use finishes and textures to excite monochromatic schemes.

This monochromatic scheme is the classic cream and gold combination -- both are shades of yellow -- even into the amber beads!
This teal or blue/green monochromatic scheme has added interest because of the variation in texture and shine between the beads and the shell 'coins'.

Analogous colour scheme
Analogous colours are colours that are adjacent to each other on the colour wheel. Some examples are green, yellow green, and yellow or red, orange and yellow. Analogous colour schemes are often found in nature and are pleasing to the eye. The combination of these colours give a bright and cheery effect in the area, and are able to accommodate many changing moods. When using the analogous colour scheme, one should make sure there is one hue as the main colour.

This necklace of peyote stitched beaded beads uses an analgous colour scheme: coral (orange), yellow, and teal (green).






Split-analogous colour scheme
A colour scheme that includes a main colour and the two colours one space away from it on each side of the colour wheel. An example is red, blue, and violet.

Complementary colour scheme
Complementary colours are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange, red and green, purple and yellow. Complementary colour schemes have a more energetic feel. The high contrast between the colours creates a vibrant look, especially when used at full saturation. Complementary colours can be tricky to use in large doses.

Split-complementary colour scheme
A colour scheme that includes a main colour and the two colours on each side of its complementary (opposite) colour on the colour wheel. These are the colours that are one hue and two equally spaced from its complement. To avoid fatigue and maintain high contrast, this colour scheme should be used when giving PowerPoint presentations, or when using a computer for an extended period. Additionally, certain colours should not be mixed, like red and green. Colours that should be used are red/violet and yellow/green.

Triadic colour scheme
A colour scheme in which 3 colours of equidistant distribution on the colour wheel are used, e.g., red, blue, and yellow.

Tetradic colour scheme
Tetrads (or quadrads) are any four colours with a logical relationship on the colour wheel, such as double complements.

Neutral colour scheme
A colour scheme that includes only colours not found on the colour wheel, called neutrals, such as beige, brown, and gray.


This necklace is all in hues of black, gray and white -- all neutrals.






Accented neutral colour scheme
A colour scheme that includes neutral colours, like white, beige, brown, grey, or black, and one or more small doses of other colours. eg.brown and beige with blue, gray and black with red.

Warm and cool colour schemes
Warm colour schemes do not include blue at all, and likewise, cool colour schemes do not include red at all. For example, a colour scheme that includes "warmer" colours may have orange, yellow, and red-orange in it. "Cooler" colours are green, violet, light blue, etc.

Special considerations when dealing with beads
Walking into a bead store, we’re faced with more than just colour. We’re dealing with various bead finishes including: luster, opaque, ceylon, matte, frosted, and so on.

Bead finishes will affect how colour is perceived.Beads with a strong luster (or shine) will appear lighter and will reflect more light, than colour. Beads that opaque (without shine) will appear darker and recede.

The thread used and the colour of surrounding beads will affect the perceived colour of transparent beads.

The light you are using while beading will affect how you see (and choose) colours. Incandescent bulbs will add a yellow-cast to the beads; flourescents will add a blue-cast to your work. If possible, use an “Ott” style bulb or choose colours using daylight near a window.

Make samples. Go ahead and stitch a sample using the colours you are considering. It is a quick and easy way to see if they go together the way you want. Don’t throw away the sample – tag it and write down the colours you are using so you can reproduce (or avoid) it in the future.

Play! Its only beads!

Additional information and links:
Beadmaster Diane Fitzgerald has created a six-part series in Bead and Button in the following past-issues:
Part one: The language of design (Bead and Button, February 2009)
Part two: Point, lines and shapes (Bead and Button, April 2009)
Part three: (Bead and Button, June 2009)
Part four: Pattern and texture (Bead and Button, August 2009)
Part five: Choosing color (Bead and Button, October 2009)
Part six: Pulling it all together (Bead and Button, December 2009)

Margie Deeb discusses colour in her article, Margie’s guide to fearless colorplay (Beadwork, August/September 2010)

Margie Deeb’s blog about colour is: http://www.colorforbeadartists.com/

Margie Deeb’s website: http://www.margiedeeb.com/

Making Sense out of Colour - Part 1, The Colour Wheel

As you know, I love to bead! However, figuring out colours and what goes best together can be a real headache. To help others who may be in the same predictament, I've put gathered information from a variety of sources to help take the confusion out of colour.

We take colour for granted as a common everyday occurance. Blue sky. Green grass. A yellow banana. A red stop sign. Its when we try to combine colours in a pleasing manner, many of us get scared – and paint everything white or beige!

According to Wikipedia, ‘in the visual arts, colour theory is a body of practical guidance to colour mixing and the visual impacts of specific colour combinations.’ That may seem daunting but it simply refers to what happens when you combine and mix colours. Like all theories, colour theory has variations through history and there are various opinions about what it all means. Theories also change if you are talking about light, paint, ink and generating colours on a computer.

For our purposes, we will discuss the basic artist’s colour wheel that uses red, yellow and blue as the primary colours of the wheel, and the various colour schemes that originate from it.

The Colour Wheel
The artist’s colour wheel is a visual representation of the three primary colours of red, blue and yellow and the colours produced when they overlap with each other. You’ll notice that black, white, gray and brown do not appear on the colour wheel – more on that later!

Primary colours on the traditional colour wheel are red, blue and yellow. When combined in various proportions, all other colours can be produced. No two colours can be mixed to produce any of the primary colours.

Secondary colours are created by combining equal amounts of primary colours. Orange = equal parts of yellow and red. Green = equal parts of yellow and blue. Violet = equal parts of red and blue.

Tertiary colours are colours created between the primary colour and the secondary colour. In the above colour wheel, you have red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet and red-violet. Instead of using these hyphenated descriptions, we tend to use aqua or turquoise rather than blue-green, and so on.

Complementary colours are colour opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red/green; yellow/violet; blue/orange.

Warm colours and cool colours. Generally, red-violet through to yellow-green is the dividing line between warm and cool colours. Simply stated, warm colours are those associated with heat and activity: orange/fire; yellow/sun; red/agitation. Cool colours are associated with cool temperatures and inactivity: blue/water; green/serenity. Warm colours are said to be aggressive, advance or appear more active in a painting, while cool colours tend to recede; used in interior design or fashion, warm colours are said to arouse or stimulate the viewer, while cool colours calm and relax.

Neutral colours include black, white and gray. Theses colours are not found on the artist’s colour wheel and are considered to lack actual colour. Brown sometimes fits into this category; however, many hues of brown are actually combinations of red, orange and yellow.

A hue is another name for colour.

A tint is a colour mixed with white. Frequently, when mixed with a lot of white, it is called a pastel colour.

A tone is a colour mixed with gray.

A shade is colour mixed with black.

The key colour is the dominate colour in a colour scheme or mixture.

Article continues with Making Sense out of Colour, Part 2