Do you often get stuck when it comes time to select colours for a new beading project?

This happens to a lot of people. Choosing colours for a jewelry project can be daunting because there are so many options! How do you even know where to start?

Well, I’m going to break it down for you so that you never have to struggle again. If you’re not naturally gifted when it comes to choosing hues and shades that you want to work with, I have two different methods for you to try.

So, here goes!

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How To Select Colours For Jewelry-Making

When it’s time for me to select colours for jewelry projects, I tend to think of the main one I want to use and then rummage through my bead stash to find complementary hues. I might go buy a few new colours if I don’t already own any I want to work with. Some may look at it as an excuse to buy beads but…

Okay fine. It’s really just an excuse to buy more beads. Anyway… moving on!

Sometimes, selecting various shades is no problem but other times, it can be a challenge especially if the particular project requires several different beads. This is where a colour wheel comes in.

What Is a Colour Wheel?

The colour wheel is a tool used to combine colours and as the name would indicate, it’s round. Of course, personal taste will be a factor when you choose your colours but this tool helps you to select ones that work well together and are pleasing to the eye.

Use the symmetrical shapes in the centre of the colour wheel to choose your colour scheme. Rotating the shapes, changes the combinations but the spacing of the shapes never varies. It is this spacing that results in harmonious colour combinations every time.

Different Types of Colour Schemes

As I mentioned, there are various shapes in the middle of the colour wheel. These shapes represent various types of colour schemes that can be used.

1. Monochromatic– Use just one colour along with the different tints, tones and shades of that same colour.

2. Complementary– Simply put, this is a combination of two colours directly opposite one another on the wheel. The two hues contrast making each other stand out and look more vibrant.

3. Triadic– A combination of three colours evenly spaced on the wheel.

4. Analogous– Use three to five colours that are adjacent to each other on the colour wheel.

5. Tetrads– These types of colour schemes use four colours arranged into two complementary pairs. Use this combination carefully as the colours can easily look a mess if the proportions are not right. Try using one colour as your main and the others as accents.

There are other variations of the types of colours schemes but these are the most basic ones.

Which Colour Wheel To Use?

Now, if all of that information just went way over your head, don’t panic. The Dritz Quilting Rainbow Colour Wheel Selector makes the whole process really easy. Here’s a video that shows you the tool and exactly how you use it:

Despite the fact that this particular colour wheel has the word “Quilting” in the title, it can be used any time you need to select colours.

Click here to purchase a Dritz Quilting Rainbow Colour Wheel Selector.

Go Digital

If you’re a little more techy, you can also find digital colour wheels online for free. One that I like to use is provided by Adobe. It allows you to select colours and the various combinations that I mentioned above. You can adjust the shades until you find a colour scheme that you are happy with.

One extra feature that I like about this particular tool is the ability to create a colour scheme from an image. Find a photo you like online, save it to your computer and upload it to the tool. Then, use the picture to create a pleasing colour combination. Below, I have a video walking you through the basics of the Adobe Colour Wheel.

Selecting colours should be part of the fun of beading, not the step that paralyzes you. Hopefully, the two methods I provided will help you in the future any time you are stumped about what bead colours to choose.

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