Summer 2013 Color Trends, Part II

We have discussed about half of the Pantone color palette for Summer 2013 (below).  This is the palette;

Pantone colors for summer 2013

We already discussed; Lemon Zest (Pantone 13-0756), Tender Shoots (Pantone 14-0446), Dusk Blue (Pantone 16-4120), Emerald (Pantone 17-5641) and Grayed Jade (Pantone 14-6011).

Today let's discuss; African Violet (pantone 16-3520), Monaco Blue (Pantone 19-3964), Nectarine (Pantone 16-1360), Poppy Red (Pantone 17-1664) and, last but not least, Linen (Pantone 12-1008).

African Violet:

Purples are a forgotten color group in many people's homes and closets.  African violet can be used this summer in many areas, from carrying a tote with violet in it to wearing a headband or scarf with accents within in or wearing earrings that include it, like in these enamel sterling silver and fine silver earrings with organic finish.













Monaco Blue:

I am partial to the name of this color (although I have always been partial to the color itself) as it's my maternal grandmother's maiden name.  :)

The rich cobalt-ish blue is very saturated with intense color but will still be useful for summer.  Try sunglasses with monaco blue frames, fun flip flops or enamel fine silver and sterling silver "vessel" earrings which pack a punch of color within their 8mm centers!

Nectarine Orange: 

Orange is a wonderful color for summer!  Bright and cheerful, it's bound to make even dreary days fun.

Many people avoid oranges, though, either because they aren't sure which oranges will look good with their skin tone or because they fear using too much color.  Even heavily saturated colors, like nectarine orange, can be used by everyone.  Start in small ways, like wearing some capris with an orange print or striping or a pair of handmade enamel orange and denim blue earrings like these.  Even small accents can bring color into your wardrobe!









Poppy Red:

Reds are terrific for most seasons but, during the summer, they are even easier to wear!

Lipstick is the natural choice for red, make sure to try a cool lipstick: bottom (with a blue base) and a warm lipstick: top (with a yellow base) at the store before doling out the money on one that might not look good on you.  Another site for finding out your skin tone (warm or cool) is She Knows; Beauty and Style.  The image, to the right, is also from that website and shows good examples of warm red lipstick versus cool red lipstick.







Red can also be used in accessories, of course; red pumps or slings or summer... red clutches or totes or red pieces of jewelry, to bring red into your ensemble in a smaller (more personal) way.

This is a faceted Mount Saint Helen's "stone" set into a sterling silver handmade and hand textured / hammered ring with a square shank.  One of a kind and perfect for summer attire (or any season, for that matter).

For more of my red items please click here.

Last, but definitely not least, we have Linen!

Linen is a subdued, delicate color that almost anyone will feel comfortable tying into their summer outfits, or home!  This light peachy-pink will be easy to accent (as a main color) or to use as an accent for other colors.

This clutch is a prime example of how Linen can be used any day, any time!



Those are all of the summer 2013 Pantone colors, in a nut shell, with various ways they can be used and worn.  I hope that you have enjoyed this summer sneak peak, thank you for reading!

New Year and New Work!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful New Year and a Happy 2012 thus far!

I have been busy working with my favorite materials: enamel, sterling silver, fine silver, copper, gold and gems.

[My favorite gemstones tend to be opalescent ones, like moonstones, labradorites, chalcedony etc. or fiery ones, like garnet, sunstone or fire opal etc.. I have a "fire and water" thing going on, I supposed. My favorite paintings have dark blue or indigo and warm yellow or orange also.]



I have been playing with some new enamels, since my last update. I have all sorts of fun opaque colors that have come in, from Tangerine Orange to Deep Red, Translucent Orchid to Cobalt Blue and, of course, Black and White for the purists out there!

Most of my enamel fine jewelry is for sale right in my Etsy shop, I also do custom requests, as the queue allows. Please feel free to stop by and take a peek around. My work is handmade, by me, in New Hampshire (USA). I do *not* order pre-made items and just tweak them, I design each piece from scratch and am a metalsmith / silversmith. I love to design custom pieces for my customers so please drop me a line if you'd like something You-Nique!




Some other things that I have started selling are handmade sterling silver hoops, (1" and 1.25" right now, though other sizes can be custom made), with or without glass rondelle / donut beads. These are a lot of fun and the beads can be mixed and matched, as needed, (or removed if you'd like your hoops without beads for a night)!




























I have started working with PMC again, (precious metal clay). I have been using the Copper clay, as I like it the best. I have posted a few enamel and PMC pieces as well as some gemstone and PMC items. It is a lot of fun to work with, my two favorite mediums rolled into one, ceramics and metal!















Above is a pendant out of copper PMC with enamels in it's recesses. To the right is a pendant out of Precious Metal Clay, (PMC), with a 3mm faceted Apatite gem and three glass beads. Both are strung on colored cotton and ribbon cords.







For the organic, but minimalistic, jewelry lovers I have started a line that I call "Pounded Pebble". These are items made from sterling silver, that I have melted and forged, (hammered / pounded), into a new shape. The ring set, toward the top of the page, has one of these stacking rings in sterling silver and below you will see one of the items that has become a best seller, from this line, my Pounded Pebble handmade designer earrings in sterling silver.

These little studs are quite adorable on and are organic but not over the top or sloppy. They have a crisp look, like a pebble that is shiny from wear and becomes visible as the tide goes out.