Color Trends: Think Spring 2011

Many of you may be familiar with the name Pantone in association with color for designers. "In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE® MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized color in fan format." (http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=19295&ca=10) Pantone has become the industry standard in color matching for artists and designers of all kinds.

  Pantone also surveys leading fashion industry experts in order to determine the top inspiration color trends for each season and each new year. From this information they develop their Pantone color forecast chart with standardized hues that can be reproduced by professionals in graphic arts, architecture and home furnishings, paint manufacturers, fashion marketing, and industrial design. According to Pantone's market research, the 2011 color of the year is "honeysuckle," a vibrant reddish pink. Honeysuckle is described as "encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life."  (http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20821&ca=4)

From the Pantone website

According to Pantone, the top 10 fashion colors for spring 2011 as chosen by New York designers are honeysuckle, coral rose, peapod, beeswax, silver peony, russet, regatta, blue curacao, lavender, and silver cloud. (http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20752&ca=4) Let's take a look at how BBEST artisans are using these colors within their chosen mediums.

Of course, we must have honeysuckle represented, as it is the main color theme for the year. 

Coming Up Roses Felted Wool Needle Book
by JN Originals

Waiting Cat  - Original Mixed Media
by Sixsisters

Hand Designed Silk Scarf
by Mystic Silks 

"Coral Rose" is said to be a sophisticated shade of orange that takes its inspiration from African, Indian and Asian influences.

Shades of Spring Original Watercolor
by Yankeegirl

Orange Sunflower Earrings
by ZudaGay



 
"Peapod" is a fresh, medium green tone meant to evoke thoughts of travel and adventure.

Bulgarian Sunflower Bracelet
from EverSoDear

Painting: Cute Chicks Series - Violet Green Swallow
by Backroom Treasures

"Beeswax" is a modernized ochre or golden tone which is cheerful and playful.

Amber Colored Glass Hearts Earrings
by Fantasy Creations 1

Fused Glass Small Amber Sushi Plates (Set of 2)
from Designs by Christine

"Silver Peony" is a pale and feminine shade of pink described as "ethereal" and "dreamy."

 Pearl Earring - Dusty Pink, for Bridesmaids

from Bridal Jewelry by PBJ

 Rose, Pink, Gold Fiber Art Flower Brooch/Hair Accessory

from Imaginuity

 "Russet" is a deep, earthy brown, considered a "new" neutral.

 Native American Beaded Bracelet: The Digusdi (Cousins in Cherokee)

from Ghi-Goo-ie Designs by Joni Stinson

 Chocolate Brown Chunky Neckwarmer

by The Crafty Bargain Basement

"Regatta" is a refreshing blue reminiscent of  the Mediterranean Ocean.

Blue and White Square Pure Silk Scarf

by Colours and Textures

Blue Flower Lampwork Swarovski Crystal Bracelet

by Magdalene Jewels

"Blue Curacao" is a lovely turquoise tone that reminds us of tropical locations.

Blue Lagoon Long and Skinny Scarf for Her

from ByTheBy

Turquoise and Pink Shells and Crystal Earrings

by Jill's Treasure Chest

"Lavender" is a soft and sensual shade of purple.

Pretty Crocheted Necklace with Lavender Beads

from Stitches by Julie

Natural Amethyst Bead Woven Bracelet

by Pixie Market

"Silver Cloud" is a brownish gray described by Pantone as the "quintessential neutral that consumers can rely on to coordinate with everything in their closet." (http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20751&ca=4)

 Buck Naked Sheep Skeins - Handspun Icelandic Wool Yarn

from The Knotty Sheep

Queen Anne Lace Scarf Taupe

from Bags & More by Pam

Anfangen ist leicht, beharren eine Kunst

The new year and all its promises of resolutions and changes is almost washed away by the middle of February. How quickly we get wrapped up in the every day moments of life, how soon we allow our plans to melt softly into intention. Winter does that to me, I must admit. Although I do love the winter - all of the whites and sharp contrasts, all of the silence and stillness, all of the wonderful holiday and fun snowy times we get to share - and though winter fills a place of peace in my soul, about middle of February I really feel the longing for spring.

I feel it in my bones. I am ready for blue blue skies, yellow crocus, green grass, buds on the trees and bushes. I can't wait for the pastels of spring, creeping up to surprise me from under the brown fallen leaves. I begin to get antsy for the soft spring colors and longer days with lighter evenings for outside play.

And so it was with great delight that I went looking through the BBEST shops for hints of spring, and found it.

From Sassalynne's shop -

Three Thread Selection, Aqua, Lilac, Green, Yarn, Serendipity

From The Filigree Garden - Forest Moonlight

From BytheBy - Pale Green Scarf

From The Creator's Palette -

Garden Flower Hummingbird

These touches of spring bring back my smile and help me get through these still long winter days. My daughter is back from two weeks in Munich, where it remains cold and winter. She tells me of the cold, the numbness in her fingers, her desire to be inside, the feeling that winter is never ending this year. But I persist in striving towards spring, filled up by the inspiration of our amazing team of BBESTers, each of us continuing to create through our own personal dance.

And I feel in my heart the truth of the German saying Amanda brings home to me. Anfangen ist leicht, beharren eine Kunst.

To begin is easy. To persist is art.

Birds!

Some of my BBEST team members will probably know that I am very lucky to spend regular amounts of time at a place in Devon, UK, which I call my ‘bolt hole’. It is a wonderful spot where cabins nestle amongst trees along the water’s edge of an old lake that dates back to Henry VIII. Apparently at one time a convent was nearby from which the nuns used to stroll around the lake in meditation. Perhaps this is why I love the peaceful surroundings whilst sitting on the deck overlooking the water. All you can hear are the birds ranging from wrens to geese! I have a few feeders up nearby so that I can sit and observe our feather friends as they dart in and out grabbing little tidbits.

Each country has there own special birds so I won’t bore you with all that I see here. However, it does give me a wonderful opportunity to show off some of the amazing items created by the BBEST Team.

Baltimore Oriole by Sixsisters

Hummingbird on the Fly by Hemlock Hollow

Bird in the Tree Notebook by MisterPenQuin

Two Birds by VanFleetDesign

Little Birdie Fused Glass magnet by Chris1

At Rest Watercolour of a Chickadee by YankeeGirl

Owl Pendant by Chauncey

Bird Verdigris painting by JohnieBelinda

Bird in Nest by pfd Original Artworks

Birds are fascinating creatures as they fly and buzz around. Especially at this time of year when they pair up as Spring approaches and start to organise their nesting sites. Can’t wait to see the baby Moorhens following their mother down to the water and the ducklings all trying to keep up in crocodile lines. Whoever, said they were ugly???

Whilst not all of the above images depict birds from our shores they do show off the amazing talent of the BBEST Team. Thank you for allowing me to show off the creativity here.