Fall 2015 Color Inspiration

Carol Dekle-Foss

Is it too early to start thinking about fall colors for jewelry designs? I say heck no! The fall equinox is just around the corner, so even though temperatures are high, I think it's the perfect time to check out the latest color forecasts for inspiration. 

With that being said, it's more important to choose colors that reflect who you are as an artist. Colors can by very powerful by helping you express what feelings and moods you want to evoke in your designs. 

I like to get to know Pantone's latest colors by making these boards. This helps get my creative juices flowing!

Personally for me, these are not the colors I will be working with this fall. I am being drawn more to luscious warmer shades, like burgundy, deep wine and forest green. I've started a Pinterest board here with rich colors and beautiful textures that I want to experiment with this season.

Also, here are some ceramic beads and pendants hot out of the kiln today!

Ceramic bead shop update soon to come over the next few days!

So what do you think about Pantone's new Fall 2015 color line up? Also, whats your process of choosing colors for your designs? I'd love to hear how you come up with your color combinations!

Custom orders, and one happy customer. Me

Carol Dekle-Foss

In keeping with the topic of Karen's post yesterday of doing custom work, I wanted to share a positive experience I had as a customer with the talented ceramic artist Natalie Kay of NKP Designs. 

While researching how the ceramic raku process was done, I stumbled upon a great post on the Beads of Clay Blog by Mary Harding of  Mary Harding Jewelry. I discovered some very talented artists there, including of course, Mary Harding, Lisa Peters of Lisa Peters Art, Marianne Kasparian of MAKU Studio, and Melanie from Earthenwood Studio. Mary's post had a picture of some of Natalie's raku beads. I fell in love with them immediately.  I then quickly did some more research and found these beautiful beads on  her blog. I just HAD to have them. The problem was she had made them in 2010. The chances of her still having them were nil, so I contacted her and asked if she would be open to a custom order. 

She responded immediately and let me know that unfortunately she no longer does the raku process. I was bummed for sure. I still loved the overall design of the beads though so we worked together and came up with these beads.

I am completely smitten with them.  I wanted two complimentary colors, green and red but left the exact color choices up to her. The beads ended up having two of Pantone's Fall colors. Great job Natalie!

To be on the other side of a custom order was refreshing for a change and Natalie was a delight to work with. She responded very quickly to my questions and also gave great suggestions. 

I am very grateful that Natalie was open to a custom order and will be purchasing more from her in the future.

Thank you Karen for your post on this important topic!