News from The Beading Room Jan/Feb 2011

Your Canadian Online Bead Store

January/February 2011 Newsletter

Greetings!

Welcome to our new look newsletter for 2011! We hope this layout is easier to read and reflects the creative nature of our business a bit better than the last one! We have decided to use Pantone's Color of the Year, 'honeysuckle', as our title color. See the article below for more details on how you can incorporate this vibrant color into your life in 2011. Have a peek at some of our new products, and learn more about those little tiny beads that are an addiction for some and an annoyance for others-the seed bead. Finally, find out which trends will be dominating the jewelry-making world for 2011.

We have included a new box on the bottom right hand side of this newsletter which has all the links you need to look at, find out about, and purchase the items featured. Now every third word in our articles are bold, underlined link words-yeah!

We would love your feedback on our newly-styled newsletter, so don't forget we always love to hear from you:)

Happy Reading and Beading!

Hollie and Brian

And Pantone's Color of the Year 2011 Is.......HONEYSUCKLE!

What a change from the cool and tranquility of last year's color Turquoise (though, we think the two colors actually look gorgeous together!!!). We love using the colors to inspire our designs and push past our usual color palette- and for me, Honeysuckle will definitely be out of my usual color comfort zone. But I LOVE it! What a beautiful, vibrant and feminine color to get us out of the doldrums of Winter! Have a read of what Pantone say about their color for 2011 on their website (www.pantone.com):

"While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life."

"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."

Eiseman continues, "The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer."

"Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It's a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women's apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men's ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway. "

The full Spring 2011 Palette includes: Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Peapod, Beeswax, Silver Peony, Lavender, Russet, Regatta (blue), Blue Curacao, Silver Cloud.

Are You Up With The Jewelry Trends for Spring 2011?

1. It's all about costume jewelry. The more, the better. Jewelry is to be changed more often then your underwear this season, so make sure you make lots of fun, funky and affordable pieces that can be changed on a whim. With the rise in cost of Sterling Silver, metals are plated, patterned and antiqued in this Spring's costume jewelry.

2. Mix up your hues, tones, textures and finishes. Think Boho Chic with a twist of clean lined modernity somewhere in there.

3. Colors are bold but basic. Russet with Coral, White on White (with burnished metals), strong Blues with out there Greens, silvers and lavenders. Safari Chic Glass Throw in a bit of animal print for good measure too.

4. Bead Weaving makes a big comeback, especially in the form of big bib necklaces and wide cuff bracelets (ALL over the runways this Spring). Embellish thin scarves with beaded fringes. An make sure you have a beaded ring on every finger too! Use those little seed beads to add ethic elegance and detail.

Bead Woven Ring

5. Make a statement with long Chandelier Earrings. After fading into obscurity for a short time, they are back with a vengeance (not that they ever left my ears!). They tie together all the key trends above and make any simple outfit look beautiful.

6. All forms of metal and wire work, including the increasingly-popular chain maille is HOT. Chain maille is so fun and it takes very little investment to get into. Our new range of Artistic Wire Chain Maille Rings are perfectly made for this type of work, and they have publish 2 booklets, priced at $3.99 each packed full of all the info you need to design some great pieces. In addition to these, we have some beautiful books with absolutely tons of great designs for chain maille with a modern and contemporary twist. Look out for upcoming reviews of these books on our blog in the coming weeks.

Chain Maille Bracelet Made with Artistic Wire