What is in Words – Creative Trends

How are the latest trends in fashion, jewelry or even home décor determined? How are they described and what makes them stand out? Does someone have a crystal ball? If so, I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants a sneak peek into the future! Every designer rather fashion, jewelry or home décor all have their sources and arsenal of research, magazines, books, websites, and sources. It all depends on who you are, what you are designing, what materials you are working with, and what impact you want to have on the industry and your customers.

For me, resources are just about everywhere with a few websites, books and magazines as my closely guarded secrets. A colors palette from which many things inspired and created is often a result of nature and the way those creations are described is to arouse some sense or memory within us. Some of the strongest choices in the fashion and jewelry industry are dominated by a solid natural color that is then split up into various emerging tones. For example, take the stable color black which is often split up and recreated as metallic, midnight, charcoal, or described as urban metal. Blue is often refracted as cool, crisp and described as lofty winds and fluffy clouds or spa like hues; while red is portrayed as fiery fiesta, spicy, sizzling, and hot.

As consumers, we identify with these words and colors because of a memory, feeling or sense. To take it a step further, look at how most designers describe their creations; ‘Calming cool blue hues of the Caribbean Seas’, ‘Pale shades of rich soft orchids’, ‘A lazy summer lemonade mixture in yellow, orange and cream’, or ‘Exploding fusion of black and fiery red’. All of these phrases suggest some sort of memory of holidays and vacations, childhood and family, overwhelming feelings, or even present day living.

It’s all how the colors and materials are brought together in a combination of complementary or outspoken bold pieces that are eye-catching to the consumer. It’s the make-up of these combinations that makes a color palette feel modern, memorable and unique. As a jewelry designer, a combination is a good way to think about how you go about choosing jewelry materials that will spark your own imagination, bringing out a uniquely individual flare to a design.

What nature gives us to work with is a start to some grand creations, leaving endless possibilities in ones imagination. Start your arsenal of creativity by taking the time to really study, research and understand your designer colors and materials.

Color Designs & Emotions

Jewelry is an express and extension of the person. We’ve discussed in other posts that what we wear reflects who we are or want to be; rather it is professional and classy, sassy and casual or even flirty and wild. Designing jewelry is like being on the cutting edge of a ‘finished look’ to someone’s outfit. But it is more than that, it also an expansion of the designer and artist that created the jewelry; created from their imagination relaying on skill and experience to shape gemstones, wire, chain, silver, gold, copper, glass and crystals and anything else that they can get their hands on into something unique – an expansion of the artist or designer personality connecting with their clients and customers.

Which leads me to an interesting article I found online at the Sessions Online School of Design; I’m reprinting excerpts because of the value of the information and the use of yet another tool for everyone to use.

Using Colors to Connect with Your Audience

“Color creates audience responses by stimulating emotions and communicating on levels other than reason and intellect. It can excite, impress, entertain and persuade, but color can also create instant negative associations. It’s a good idea to be aware of how the majority of people respond to color and use this information in your choice of colors. Use the guidelines in the chart below to help you choose the colors that are most appropriate for the message you want to get across in work.

Color Chart (suggested meanings) The chart below represents several meaning for color. Each color may represent another emotion to you. Use your best judgment when dealing with color and make sure to get feedback on the colors you use.

Red
Aggressive, strong & heavy
Blue
Comfort, loyalty & security
Yellow
Caution, Spring & brightness
Green
Money, health, food & nature
Brown
Nature, aged, & eccentric
Orange
Warmth, excitement, & energy
Pink
Soft, healthy, childlike & feminine
Purple
Royalty, sophistication & religion
Black
Dramatic, classy & serious
Gray
Business, cold & distinctive
White
Clean, pure & simple

Most colors go well together with members of the same "family". Warm colors for instant, such as red, brown, orange and yellow look better together in combination warm colors; cool colors like blue, green, gray and white with cool colored families. Using color families generally makes for a more appealing presentation and makes the presentation come across as ‘complete’ rather than ‘mixed’.

Contrast is fun and can be used effectively to accent and draw attention to such things as pendants or focal beads. In general, keep the contrast low. Too much contrast makes your work look obscure and uneven, avoid the extremes.”

All good advice when designing at any level or anything, not just jewelry. Try mixing some of the colors together to get an eye for what ‘emotions’ your jewelry pieces might be saying. This is just another tool one can use in order to reach out to their audience, clients and customers.

Excerpts from Sessions Online School of Design

My Picks for Spring-Summer 2009

After researching the internet and reading the latest fashion, gemstone and jewelry magazines; my picks for Spring-Summer 2009 are a little different than what the ‘experts’ are suggesting…go figure!

Colors Trends: For color trends I still see the staples of black, white and beige which never really go out of ‘style’ they just are either hot or cold. However, I think there will be some undertones in softer pastel colors; such as yellow, pale pinks and blues, and greys; all highlighted by darker tones in navy, purple, red and turquoise. These colors to be seen more in the Spring, which will later give way in Summer to your darker, brighter and deeper tones of turquoise, salmon coral, hot pinks-red-orange-yellow combinations, mixed with hues of purples, greens and blues; all accented with softer beige, grey, cream and white.

Gemstones & Jewelry Trends: As the economy has taken a spiral downward, the days of having high priced jewelry in precious gemstones; Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, and Diamond are going to be less attractive. I see the trend turning to more natural gemstones, a much more economical answer to trending jewelry. Turquoise, coral, agates, jaspers, pearls, and quartz will all play big parts in jewelry this Spring-Summer; mostly because of their vast variety in different colors schemes. Any of these stones can go with just about anything and any metal from gold to silver to copper to brass….also something we will see more of in the coming year.

As for the jewelry itself, I think we will see more trends in the traditional uniquely handcrafted pieces reflecting more one-of-a-kind pieces verses the mass produced overseas jewelry. Necklaces will be longer in multi-strands; charmed and chunky, with pendants making a comeback as well. Earrings in a longer sleek look; chandelier, charmed, and multi dangle. Bracelets will be a mix of gemstones, metals being large or small. Whatever the look for the season one thing is for sure, no woman will be without her accessories in jewelry designs; a mix of chains, wires, glass and all kinds of natural gemstone completing looks in classical and casual or sassy and chic.

Remember, whatever your look, just be yourself and do what makes you feel good! And if you’re in the market for a new necklace, pair of earrings or bracelet, wonder over and check out our selection of uniquely handcrafted gemstone jewelry!

Jewelry Fashion Color Trends for Spring 2009

Looking for Spring 2009 trends in colors, fashion and jewelry and find that it is wide and varied; reading almost like a salad bar, paint store or crayon box. Search the Internet and one can find an array of information from the experts stating that this season is more about Chic, Classic, and Casual. "Pantone, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, stated that this Spring 2009 color trend as Fuchsia Red, Salmon Rose, Palace Blue, Lucite Green, Super Lemon, Dark Citron, Lavender, Vibrant Green, Slate Gray, and Dust Rose."

“Spring traditionally evokes a sense of freshness and new beginnings, with sprouting shoots and blossoming flowers that inspire designers to breakout of the winter doldrums. Bright colors return to the top 10 list for spring ’09, as designers incorporate vibrant pops into their collections, yet temper the vibrancy with deeper, translucent or neutral tones.”

Other experts’ state to look for more urban moods in pales, bleached and artificial colors, with under tones of soft greys, neutrals mixed with flashy colors of black, electric blues, purple, orange, and purple-pink. All of this mixed with jewelry fashions for spring 2009.

Jewelry trends are as varied as the fashion and color trends. Bubble, chunky, unique, handcrafted and unusually shaped necklaces will make an appearance; along with more Tribal sculpture designs, mixing in charms and multi-layers. Earrings will be long like chandeliers and dangle; while large bangles and gemstone bracelets make a comeback.

“In 2009, jewelry is all about making a statement, be it a necklace, a bangle or a cocktail ring. From ethnic beading, to exotic stones, to avant garde pieces, the one thing is constant: it must be big and bold.”

Excerpts from Fashiontrends.com and Fashionising.com.