Colors of Fall with Artbeads.com...

With the changing of the season, the fine folks at Artbeads.com are celebrating the Colors of Fall! They challenged me to design a piece of jewelry based on Pantone's Color Report for Fall 2010. In response, I created a piece I like to call, "Boundless".

I wanted to make something that felt really opulent and luxurious. To achieve this, I used lots of Swarovski crystals and contrasting matte Czech glass beads. I also used bright, shiny jump rings interspersed with the textured chain. I think the varied textures give the necklace a seductive lushness.

I had fun selecting components that embody the Pantone colors. I think the Swarovski crystal topaz Divine Rock Pendant exemplifies Golden Glow perfectly. The Cyclamen Opal Rounds definitely read as Purple Orchid, as does the yellow-green Jonquil bicones as Endive.

The copper chain and lobster clasp expresses Living Coral beautiful. I made some copper headpins which definitely represent the slightly pink, Lipstick Red. The Olivine Swarovski crystal bicones scattered throughout the piece are a dead ringer for Woodbine.

Sadly, the photographs do not capture how closely the Mocca rondelles resemble Chocolate Truffle, nor how the matte grey glass beads capture Oyster Gray. The matte beads have a subtle frosting, which is hard to capture. The pictures make both elements seem much darker than they actually are.

When I think of autumn, I think of plenty. I think of endless fields and clusters of toad lilies. I think of cool days, crisp air, and vibrant color. Although the Pantone colors are not the "conventional" autumnal colors, I think they definitely speak of a season in balance and boundless abundance.