Bonus Colorways for Beadwork Summer 2021

Since summer is all about color, we thought you’d enjoy a closer look at the alternate colorways designers created for Beadwork Summer 2021. The Pantone Colors of the Year, Illuminating (yellow) and Ultimate Gray, feature prominently in three projects in this issue. Pantone Color Institute executive director Leatrice Eiseman says the color combination is aspirational, representing unity, stability, and hope.  She says, “We’re not there yet, but we’re aiming for that. We’re trying to get there. When the gray clouds disperse, we see the sunshine.”

Behind the scenes, your Beadwork team is pretty set in our ways. I love blue while technical editor Meredith favors green. We strive to share a wide range of color choices in each issue so there’s something for everyone. We get inspired when designers share their own favorite colors in new ways. I even branch out from blue every once in a while!

Alternate Colorways from Beadwork Summer 2021

Ellie Hamlett’s Chrysanthemum Cuff is layered and luscious. We love the way she stitched the Pantone Colors of the Year, Illuminating in peyote stitch and two-needle netting. Ellie got on a roll and created several bracelets to show how they’d look in different color schemes. Delicious! You’ll find materials lists for each colorway in the magazine and online pattern.

To create alternate colorways of your own, start by choosing your favorite color of Swarovski pearl. Look for Ginko beads in gray or in a different shade of the same color of the pearls. Use silver, gray, or another neutral color seed beads to complete your palettes.

Ellie Hamlett’s Amulet Necklace is a clever way to create the look of beaded beads – and it works in any color! You’ll need your favorite color of Khéops par Puca triangles with coordinating fire-polished rounds and gray luster seed beads that will complement the color you choose.

Ellie also designed the Esmeralda Beaded Bead in Beadwork December 2019/January 2020. Kite beads fit perfectly with SuperDuos and DiamonDuos in a petal-like formation to create beaded beads you can use as tassel toppers, pendants, and more.

Leslie A. Pope’s jewelry designs have been featured many times in Beadwork and she always shares several colorways. Her Wayfaring Bracelets appeared on the cover of Beadwork April/May 2020 in three gorgeous colors. We like options!

When she submitted her Here Be Daggers! necklace in shades of green and blue, we asked Leslie if she could envision a version using the 2021 Pantone Colors of the Year, Illuminating (yellow) and Ultimate Gray. She solicited advice from her designer friends and we love the results! The yellow and gray is a totally different look that the original — and we agree that both colorways are intriguing.

Read Beading Artist Leslie Pope: Beadwork Cover Girl to learn more about Leslie’s design process and tips for working with shaped beads.

Maggie Thompson’s Naunet Collar is a beautiful beaded kumihimo set named for the Egyptian goddess of the ocean depths, who daily gave rebirth to the god Ra. This colorful layered necklace looks great in any of your favorite colors. Maggie drew her color inspiration from 2-hole chevron beads and you can, too. The jet AB ChevronDuos make it easy because the aurora borealis surface plays well with nearly any color of the rainbow.

If you’re new to kumihimo, be sure to check out Kumihimo 101 for a free, step-by-step guide. A copy of this guide also appears in the print and digital issues. One of the things I like most about kumihimo is the calming, meditative nature of moving the cords and spinning the disk. If you haven’t tried it before, I recommend using leather cord (without beads) to practice. Soon, you’ll be ready to add beads and create all of your favorite kumihimo braids.

Extra Colorful Inspiration

Seed beads, Superduos, and Candy beads surround a sparkling Swarovski crystal rivoli in this elegant Bjarni Ring by Beadwork fan favorite, Vezsuzsi. Use circular netting and a variation of peyote stitch to whip up a handful! These colors are absolutely perfect for late summer and early fall. For a colorful, floral-inspired ring by Vezsuzsi, try the Nino Ring. It uses Gekko and Lily Petal beads stitched in two-needle right-angle weave, tubular peyote stitch, and circular netting. Vezsuzsi always provides inspired color choices and many of her projects are available in our store.

Make it a Colorful Summer with Beadwork

Explore colorful construction with all of the projects in the Beadwork Summer 2021. This issue includes beading and stringing projects for everyone to enjoy. Plus, read about beading superstar Melissa Grakowsky-Shippee, as well as an interview with fashion designer Chrissie Lam about her Love Is Project. Fast & Fabulous tops off the issue with six colorful and quick projects in rainbow colors. We’d love to hear what you’re making, so please send pix and your beading story to beadworkmag@goldenpeakmedia.com.

And, if you’re looking for more color inspiration, be sure to check out Beadwork October/November 2020 and be inspired by color. The cover is one of my all-time favorites! Contributors share their tips for choosing colors, Edgar Lopez offers a tropical Pineapple Pendant, we interview Leatrice Eiseman about how the Pantone Color of the Year is selected, and we have seven Fast & Fabulous retro jewelry designs. This issue is a great companion for Beadwork Summer 2021. Make your next beading project in full color!

Happy beading,
Katie Hacker, Editor of Beadwork and host of Jewelry Artist podcast