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Creating Color Schemes for Jewelry Making

by Judy Ellis
3 Tools to Help You Pick Color Schemes in Your Jewelry-Making
Why pick colors as a jewelry artist? You might grab beads from your tray and trust your eye.

That works on calm, sunny days.

Under pressure or for new collections, planning is essential.

Consider materials, themes (bridal, floral, autumn, children, fantasy), and audience (gold-filled or plated wire?).

Planning aids logos, table setups, collections, or pieces around focal stones like opal or tiger's eye.

Use these three tools to plan color schemes confidently.
Kuler, by Adobe

Adobe creates tools like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, and InDesign.

It also offers Kuler for creative professionals, including jewelry artists.

Kuler is a free web-based program for color palettes with up to five colors.

Arrange using Analogous, Complementary, Triadic, Monochromatic, or freestyle.

Pick shades on the color wheel, or input RGB, CMYK, or Hex values.

Save palettes with a free account. Export swatches to Illustrator.

Match beads to copper jewelry and predict patina color shifts.
ColourLovers.com, Color and Patterns

ColourLovers works like Kuler, with extras.

Upload a photo to pull colors without Photoshop.

Create patterns from palettes. Useful for logos or website backgrounds.

It's more social than Kuler.

Join groups to connect with color lovers.

Paid options include fabric, posters, and color-matching software.
Using a Color Fan or Color Swatches

If online color tools overwhelm you, go offline.

Use Pantone color fans. Buy new ones, or get old fans cheaply from graphic design or printing companies. Check paint shops too.

Grab free paint chips from big-box retailers.

It takes effort to return each time, but it works as a temporary solution.

Be professional with staff. They're friendly and may enjoy your jewelry stories. Support helpful shops.

Clip clothes and accessories from magazines for a mood board.

Attach a jewelry photo or sketch to complete the look.

Use it as a photo backdrop.

Materials

Gemstone beads- shop by Gemstone-color
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Enameled Craft Wire shop by color
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Silver Plated Copper Craft Wire shop by color
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Cubic Zirconia Gemstones - shop by color
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Cabochons shop by Gemstone color
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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Bench Tools
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Beading Tools
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Jewelry Making Tools
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  • Category: Design
  • Technique(s): Design, General Education

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