Beading Tip

Create your own rainbows
By Bethany W. Keiper

This month, instead of answering a question, I'd like to introduce you to one of my beading friends, Roy G. Biv. I met him ages ago, in grade school. Have you met him? I'm sure you have. His name is the acronym for all the colors of the visible spectrum -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Of course, my friend is more commonly known as a rainbow.

The colors of the rainbow, in order, are always eye-catching. The vibrant primary colors can make any beaded piece something special.

For a softer look, you can make a pastel version of the rainbow. To separate the bead colors in your rainbow designs, look for accent beads that will not detract from the colors you want to feature. Clear beads separate the colors without breaking the flow. Clear beads with an aurora borealis finish can help mirror the rainbow effect. Conversely, you can use rainbow-colored accent beads to set off larger clear or frosted white focal beads.

A great color to use with your rainbow beads is white, since all of the colors in the rainbow come from white light. The rainbows you see in the sky occur when the white light from the sun passes through millions of raindrops. Each raindrop bends the light into the colors of the spectrum. Red is the least bent color, while violet is bent the most. Here on Earth, you can bend your own light using a prism. Or you can just enjoy the sparkle of the beads you incorporate into your rainbow designs.

With all of the beautiful colors of beads available, sometimes it is hard to keep your beaded rainbow down to a manageable size. Your bracelet may quickly turn into a necklace -- a really long necklace. Once you find the combinations of colors that seem to flow into each other, it is hard to leave even one of the glowing, jewel-toned beads out of a project.

I hope you will soon find a beautiful "rainbow connection" in your upcoming beading projects.

"Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers, and me."
-- P. Williams & K. Ascher, "The Rainbow Connection"

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