Colour of the Year 2018 - Ultra Violet

Every year, Pantone, one of the world’s leading forecasters for Colour trends of the coming year, nominate colours that will inspire and excite designers, creators and fashion experts. While 2016 and 2017 colours of Iced Coffee and Greenery showed a more natural and earthy colour palette, 2018 is the year of “Ultra Violet” chosen in a time “that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE Ultra Violet”.  It was chosen specifically to “light the way to what is yet to come” in terms of technology, exploration and scientific research.

(Pantone Colour Palette 2018) 

I really like the colours that they have settled on this year, as the dusty Pink colours to the deeper and bolder Sparkling Grape colour add more clean and feminine feel to the palette – not just the pale pastel colours usually associated with women’s fashion and colourings. I especially like the Ultra Violet, as its rich colouring and intense Purple tone makes a really eye-catching (and attention grabbing colour) which would amazing on a created necklace or pendant. Pantone expresses this the best as “Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to image their unique mark on the world” – a perfect expression of beaders, each have their own personal tastes, designs and creative flair.

So in order to express that flair, let’s have a quick look at some of our products and tutorials to ensure you keep fashionable for 2018!

Starting with one of my personal favourites, the Liberty of London “Glenjade S” Ribbon Cord as the tone of ultra violet and paler purples in an intricate and winding leaf motif design gives a really eye-pleasing and attractive design. Liberty of London Cords are known for their classic and striking designs (going back to 1979) as well as the ribbons durable and versatile nature – usable for hundreds of different applications and uses. You can easy pair the striking with a steely Silver charm or finding for that beautiful contrast of violet and silver for an elegant and modern charm bracelet or even use these instead of standard laces for that different look to your boring trainers! Just add some small bead caps or crimping beads to create the lace aglet for easy threading!

Liberty of London Purple Glenjade S 4mm Ribbon Cord 1m

With a unusual but fascinating Shape, these Tanzanite Vega Honeycomb beads by Czech give a different approach to beads and bead Shapes. The hexagonal shape has two threading holes allowing you bead these closely together for tight and smart look. Creating some amazing honeycomb necklaces, pendants or even crafting them together with other colours can create a Hama bead inspired charm or keyring – perfect for kids to create and little presents for loved ones. Pair these with other honeycomb colours such as Pastel Whites or Dark Coral, for a contrasting colour scheme - you can even match to other colours of the palette for a more varied design!

Czech Glass Honeycomb Beads Tanzanite Vega (6mm) PK30

For a bit of more glittery elegance, we have some sparkling Tanzanite coloured Crystal XIRIUS Chatons from Swarovski. These Chatons add an element of sparkle to any creation who’s cut surface simulate the shine and reflections of cut gemstones – giving a highly polished shine and added shimmer. These crystals can be easily affixed to a number of different settings to create several different pieces – from simple earrings and small charms, to pendants and rings for that added flair. Easy and straight forward, they give added drama to anyone who wears them!

Swarovski 1088 Crystal XIRIUS Chatons Tanzanite F 6mm PK6

Finally I thought we would look at some of these tear dropped shaped beads, covered in a metallic purple, with a bolder and brighter colour for those looking for added theatre. These tear shaped beads have added facets cut into them, to ensure that the metallic coating has its chance to shine the brightest – giving not only the intense purple center stage, but allows a rainbow of yellows, blues and pinkish reds to warm through the deep violet tone. The overall apperance of the metallic coating and various colours gives the bead an added dimension and making not only look expensive but dripping with colour and character. 

These beads can be simply threaded together with various materials, such as ribbons, fine chains and a vareity of beading thread, or could be folded and embedded into wire for some elegant drop earrings. For some instructions, we have an informative video found on out YouTube video on threading beads and wire wrapping which you can adapt for these beautiful beads or other violet beads you may already own. You can find it here 

Faceted Teardrop Glass Beads 15x9mm Metallic Purple 8"

Screenshots taken from YouTube - How to make wire wrapped bead link | Swarovski

That ends this shorter blog, and I hope your aren't blue from all the purple! As always, if you have any designs that you've created that will help inspire others we always want to see them! Head over to our Facebook page and send over your photos and we will like and promote them on our page! We now have a brand new Instagram online and you can easily tag us @beadsjar or #beadsjar so we can share with the beading community and show off your amazing crafts! We will be posting more on there soon!

In honour of our Instagram release we have some special codes found on our social media pages. Click the links below, like the pages and save yourself 20% off any of your purchases!

Have an amazing day and we hope to hear from you soon!

- Phill :D

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