When you begin any beading project, choosing the beads is usually one of the first steps you take before starting any project. Picking the beads and then the design may occur or the other way around, however combining beads together can be more difficult than it seems. Bead colors change when placed next to each other, depending on the bead types that are being used.
Reasons for Color Changes
Best Way to Choose Beads
The best way to choose beads is to place them onto to the beading string before actually beginning the beading project. Slide a few of each color on to get an idea of what the beads will look like together. The more beads that are being used in the project, the more distinct each color should be from one another so that the details of the design can be seen.
Also, if other beads are being used in the project, such as wood beads, fimo, large glass beads, etc. these will help to keep the seed bead colors true to their color. Placing beads in between seed beads in a pattern is visually appealing and the solid colored beads off set the seed beads.
Remember also that just because two colors are your favorite, doesn't mean they will look good together as a beaded piece. Occasionally, combining unlikely colors together, creates a visually beautiful design.
Reasons for Color Changes
- Placing a Japanese seed beads next to regular seed beads. Japanese beads have brighter colors and if the beads are made of glass versus plastic, the glass bead colors are more true to their color.
- Vintage beads use different inks and dyes that are no longer around.
- Seed beads with stripes can be washed out when placed next to a similar color.
- Metallic or shiny beads occasionally lose their luster when placed next to mat colored beads.
- Metallic and shiny beads can all end up looking the same color when placed next to each other. For example, green metallic and blue metallic beads end up looking aqua in color when placed together. This is true of yellows and oranges and pinks and purples as well when there is not enough of a difference between the two shades.
- Beads that are very light colors when placed next to dark colored beads can become washed out or look clear in color instead.
- Beads with stripes or designs on them sometimes have very light colored stripes for example. To make the stripes stand out, use a solid colored seed bead in the same color. Stripes and designs can easily become washed out when placed with seed beads of opposing colors.
Best Way to Choose Beads
The best way to choose beads is to place them onto to the beading string before actually beginning the beading project. Slide a few of each color on to get an idea of what the beads will look like together. The more beads that are being used in the project, the more distinct each color should be from one another so that the details of the design can be seen.
Also, if other beads are being used in the project, such as wood beads, fimo, large glass beads, etc. these will help to keep the seed bead colors true to their color. Placing beads in between seed beads in a pattern is visually appealing and the solid colored beads off set the seed beads.
Remember also that just because two colors are your favorite, doesn't mean they will look good together as a beaded piece. Occasionally, combining unlikely colors together, creates a visually beautiful design.