Posted by
maggieroschyk · December 17, 2009 9:02 AM
Hi everyone, I’ve been receiving some very nice comments in regard to my blog, "Part Two – Color Choices." I thought I would share them with you along with my part of the dialog!
Here’s a question from Lady Elbinine: "So I’ve got to say, it is good to know that I am not the only one who makes a big pile of choices and then slowly narrows them down. Now my question is, with all these colors before you, how do you settle on what color thread to use?"
Color of the thread? This just warms my lil’ heart so much. I am so happy to hear that beaders plan the color of the thread they use in each project. I cannot stress how important thread color choices are. There’s nothing worse than beadwork made with the wrong color choice. I liken it to wearing a little black dress with white bra straps peeking out. Here are my thoughts on thread color choices — you might agree or disagree, but at least you’ll have something to ponder the next time you thread a beading needle.
Most importantly, choose a thread color that will disappear visually in your palette of beads. Naturally, if the beadwork is mostly black seed beads, black thread is the choice. My beadwork centers on a lot of organic themes and colors, therefore my thread choice is PowerPro in moss green. Don’t wince! Moss green is a very neutral color and blends in with my seed bead color choices. If I’m working with blues or yellows there’s always the permanent marker solution: color the thread before beading.
On the other hand, thread color can be part of a beadwork design. Some stitches leave more thread showing than others. Ndebele or herringbone stitch leaves more thread showing than, say, peyote stitch. So, instead of trying to hide the thread, why not make it part of the design? Try daring color combinations like orange seed beads with bright fuschia thread or turquoise seed beads with lime green thread! Oh, yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!
Thank you, Lady Elbinine, for the wonderful comment and question.
This question was in response to my blog, "Clear up confusion with dyed seed beads." Dragonwytch asked: "Now, I realize that this post is concerning seed beads that have been dyed, but my question is about OTHER beads. One, how do you tell if a bead has been dyed (stone, ceramic, etc) and how would you tell if it is colorfast? Would you use the same techniques as with seed beads?"
This question is totally on topic because most seed beaders use lots of different types of beads, including stone, ceramic, semi-precious and natural. My first impulse would be to use the same method for determining color-fastness in seed beads. Dunk the beads in water and then rub them on a white towel. I know dyed stones are a big concern for beaders, however, so I called Russ Nobbs, the owner of Rings & Things http://www.rings-things.com/ to get the lowdown on how to test for colorfastness on stones. Russ suggests dunking stone bead strands into lukewarm, soapy water, and checking the water for color change. He said that garnet stone beads are often dyed red and the color will rub off. Interestingly enough, Russ stated that even if you rub red dye off, the garnet beads will often be a lighter shade of red, not completely clear. Russ gave me this gem of a tip (pun intended) and you’re gonna love it. Lapis lazuli is one of my favorites in stone beads. How can we check colorfastness in lapis beads? Russ told me that the dye used on lapis will not come off with water alone. He said that rubbing the stone with a cotton swab dipped in acetone (nail polish remover) will reveal whether the stone beads have been dyed. I can’t wait to try this on some suspicious strands that are hanging around the studio. I might even give myself a long over-due manicure and take the chipped polish off my nails, hmmmm. Thank you, Russ, for your expertise and here’s a link to Rings & Things gemstone index: http://www.rings-things.com/gemstone/index.html.
This question comes from Chiara, who asks about the colorfastness of two Delica bead colors: "I’m making one necklace with beaded beads made with Delica DB 410 (galvanized yellow gold) and DB 0011 (olive metallic). Will the bead colors last?"
Okay, can I just say that all the rainbows and unicorns are spinning around in my head because Chiara is from Italy and she’s reading my blog! Awesome!
Now, on to the color durability of Delica beads 410 (galvanized yellow gold) and DB 0011 (olive metallic). To answer Chiara’s question, I thought it might be a good idea to contact a bead store that sells mainly seed beads. I called Whim Beads http://whimbeads.com/cart.asp and talked to Nikki, who gave me the lowdown on these two seed bead finishes. Chiara, bad news, girlfriend! DB410 galvanized yellow gold is not permanent and will rub off. On the up side, olive metallic DB 11 will not wear off. Chiara, I don’t know how far you are on this beaded necklace, but I wouldn’t use the galvanized gold color as a dominant color. Good luck!
Well, my gentle readers, your comments and questions are always on point and I welcome them with open arms. Please send in comments, questions and topics. I’m always looking for topics!
"We interrupt Maggie’s Musings for this Beady Break. Authorities have issued a statement that identifies size 11, crystal AB seed beads as ‘gateway’ beads in seed bead addiction. Details to come. Join us at the top of the hour for an in-depth interview with a woman who bought Swarovski crystals instead of lunch. See and hear just how low bead junkies will go to get a beady fix. We now return you to the previously scheduled blog."