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Choose bright pastels for new spring designs Spring designs feature feminine pastel hues By Bethany Waldrop Keiper “A little madness in the spring is wholesome even for the King.” -- Emily Dickinson March means the “official” arrival date of spring -- the 20th, to be exact. So whether you find yourself in a sunny, flowery field or ankle-deep in muddy, melting snow-slush on that date, just remember, spring has officially arrived. Spring is the time for beautiful landscapes, pounds of pollen, and of course, new clothes. Already, the shops I visit are bursting with bright pastels and sheer florals for spring 2005. If your favorite items from last spring are still in good shape (and still fit), you are in luck this year. Most sources reveal that this year's new favorites will not be too terribly different from last year's. So, many of 2004's key pieces can fit in with the new styles. For beaders, this means that the colors of beads you have left from last year are good to go into new designs for spring. Pink will continue to hold its spot as the “must-have” color. Other favorites will include soft lilac, grass green, blue turquoise, and bright corals. More top color choices will be found in the chilly citrus and dazzling seashore color families. Baby blue gets a boost of color and an extra touch of femininity in this design.
The tiny rosebuds on this opaque wedding cake bead fit right in with the spring focus on florals and the popularity of pink. Milky opal pink beads in a swirled design are a study in rosy romance, while pearls add elegance and softness to the piece. The gold accents on the wedding cake bead, the goldtone bead caps, and the gold bicone accents fit right in with this year's expected emphasis on more goldtone jewelry designs. Pearls will also look lovely with the sheer white overlays found covering the bright pastels in many ensembles. This layered look has found its way from the fashion runways, where soft, sheer ruffles dominated. Green is always a predominant color during the spring season; it seems to be Mother Earth’s favorite -- it is the flowing gown upon which she splashes bright spots of color. For 2005, the fashion world seems ready to embrace this color in a variety of different shades, from suits to gauzy blouses. To celebrate the fresh grass and new leaves, try a darker green bead, or lighten up and think tropical with a lighter lime shade. Both landscapes and trees are dotted with flowers this time of year, so take your inspiration from nature with flower beads in a multitude of spring colors.
Since this year’s ideal silhouette is soft, floaty, and feminine, consider combining beads with other key accessories, such as silk scarves. A shining teardrop-shaped bead dangling from the tip of each corner of a silky scarf adds weight, interest, and that extra something special.
Combining different shades of pink, such as rose and fuchsia, with orange, yellow, and the rest of the rainbow make a memorably colorful design. Rainbow-striped cane glass provides a world of color options for coordinating and contrasting. Layering necklaces of different lengths and sizes is an upcoming trend, and one that will allow beaders to experiment. Design skinny, sparkly necklaces of seed beads in different lengths, and add a different tiny charm to the center of each one. Or add small charms at random spots on each necklace for a fun, flirty look. Mixing most colors is encouraged, but gold and silver are only worn separately this season. David Christiansen rainbow cane glass beads and orange facetted firepolished beads courtesy of The Bead Peddler.
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