Check out Pantone's Color Institute for their report on the new spring colors.

They are predicting that "energizing red, cool waterborne blue, and eco-friendly green" will play key roles in fashion color next year. No surprise there!!!

"Freesia" is an important color for Accessory Designers this spring. This shade is uplifting and inviting and allows for diverse accessorizing opportunities in jewelry and shoes.

Corals, pinks, purples, reds, aquas and emerald greens are the strongest color choices according to fashion insiders for Spring 2008.

High-end designers Prada & Marc Jacobs are both featuring color-blocked handbags (reminiscent of 60's styles) in their Spring collections. I am looking forward to seeing what modern touches they have added to their lines!

I have attached my newest jewelry set which is designed with mixed Flourite gemstones & dyed purple bone beads. This should fit right into the new spring lines being featured!

Visit www.pantone.com for the latest in new fashion colors and shades.

Blogging is a creative way to showcase your artisan jewelry as well as anything else you might like to promote. I started my blog this year and it has grown by leaps & bounds. I get international traffic from Google searches and by blogging at least 12 times a month I have increased my page rankings as well attracting advertisers. There are many free blogs out there so take your pick. It will take some effort on your part so be prepared to work for it, but if you enjoy writing, this job's for you! Check out my blog at www.aridesigns.blogspot.com for more info!

There are some limited options here:
(1) Celebrity Gift Bags: This involves usually paying large amounts of money up-front to an agency involved in sponsoring you at an event where celebrities are guaranteed to be showing. I don't know if they actually guarantee that celebs will receive your jewelry but some have gift-bag offerings and that sort of thing. You may or may not hear from a celeb. Only for those who have lots of expendable cash to throw away.
(2) PR Agencies: Some will list your link or site for free. All charge to use their services and either receive contact info or provide companies interested in viewing your jewelry. This could be for a movie, tv show, a fashion shoot, etc. I have not used this option yet but it may prove to be interesting sometime in the future. I am listed on a PR site under a free listing but so far have not received any inquiries.
(3) Get the name of a publicist, costume designer or accessories person at a magazine, tv show or production company. Note: It is not easy to find these names - you will have to do some digging. You might even end up paying for contact info, such as IMDB. It might be worth trying as your expense will be minimal. Most sites or agencies let you cancel anytime so there are no long-term fees or contacts but I'd check it out first and make sure you're not locked into anything long-term.
(4) If you know anyone in the industry thru a relative, friend, or business contact, USE this info to your advantage. Find out as much as you can about where to send inquiries, and get a NAME and MAILING ADDRESS. If you feel comfortable enough you might want to try calling this person. Who knows, if they don't hang up on you, they might actually be helpful!
(5) I WOULD NOT send any samples or jewelry thru the mail listed on websites. I tried that and lost my shirt (or jewelry, as the case may be). Even if the site encourages you to contact the celeb thru that address, do not send anything before making sure the person knows it's coming. I would not even send samples to reviewers on websites or fashion blogs. I have been asked to do this and I do not feel it is necessary if you have decent photographs and descriptions. Why should you give away your hard-earned creations to someone you don't even know, who might or might not give you a favorable review? Its simply not worth the time.
I hope these tips will help you in your search for publicity and famous-ness. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of designers simply either lucked out thru favorable connections or paid alot of money to get their stuff seen. My belief is that if you are talented, hard-working and PERSISTENT in your jewelry efforts, you will eventually get customers and be recognized for your work. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON...and if anyone reading this knows a great tip, please PAY IT FORWARD!!!

Pantone's Blue Iris No. 18-3943 was picked as Color of the Year. To quote: "Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspects of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic."
Visit www.pantone.com for more info on their color choices. Interestingly, according to the NY Times article, Pantone's color choices affect home decor and architectural designers more than fashion this time. Although, from what I see of Carolina Herrera's new line, there is plenty of this beautiful color to choose from. I think it would be wise to heed the wisdom from this company, as it truly is world-wide phenomenon.

What does color have to design? Well - just about everything! Seriously, unless you are working in black and white, color is in everything you use to design jewelry. And come to think of it, black and white are colors too!!! I cannot overstate the importance of color choices in your design process.
It really does define you as an artist and creator.
Here are some great books to get you started, available by The Color Association. Go ahead, jump in, and don't be shy!!!

The Color Compendium
by Augustine Hope and Margaret Walch
Hardcover: $40 for members, $50 for non-members

This is the first comprehensive, illustrated encyclopedia entirely devoted to color. This extraordinary reference covers the full range of color-related subjects, including their scientific, technical, artistic, and historical aspects.

The Color Compendium features:

- An A to Z encyclopedia, extensively cross-referenced for easy access to all information
- Sections on painting and harmony, illustrating fundamental color techniques of artists
- A section of color systems, explaining their development and use
- Analysis and discussion of color trends and cycles
- Biographies of leading historical and contemporary color theorists, and commentaries on their ideas
- A fully illustrated section of historic an twentieth-century palettes and their source artifacts

Living Colors : A Designer's Guide to 80 Essential Palettes from Ancient to Modern Times
by Margaret Walch and Augustine Hope
Hardcover: $25 for members, $30 for non-members

A consummate guide to color, this indispensable, spiralbound volume displays 80 color schemes--drawn from a variety of different mediums, from architecture and apparel to paintings and pottery, across a range of historical periods--each individually presented, described, and illustrated in a handy, gatefold format, with representative four-color images and actual printed chips for matching against the project at hand. From the dominant reds of ancient Egyptian ochers to the psychedelic palettes of the sixties, Living Colors will inspire professionals and laypeople alike in choosing colors for a multitude of uses.

To order any of these books send a check or money order for the cost of the book plus $5.00 for shipping and handling to:

The Color Association of the United States
315 West 39th Street, Studio 507,
New York NY 10018

Download the order form in pdf

For credit card orders (M/C, Visa, Amex) please telephone, fax or email your shipping information to:

Telephone - 212.947.7774
Fax - 212.594.6987
Email - caus@colorassociation.com

To subscribe via e-mail visit:
http://www.colorassociation.com/

Are you interested in using eco-friendly materials in your designs? Here is a rough guide to some materials you might consider using:
- Recycled Glass
- Sea Glass
- Fair Trade Materials such as Bali Silver and
Hill Tribe Silver Jewelry
- Recycled metals
- Paper and recycled paper
- Faux suede and leather
- Natural and organic materials such as wood,
seeds, nuts, horn and shell.
Also consider using non-endangered materials as a substitute for coral such as coral limestone.
Check out the following sites for more great ideas on how to incorporate the Green Philosophy into your jewelry designs:
www.happymango.com
www.beadsandpieces.com

Here is quick guide to jewelry for differing body types according to www.jewelry.com:
RINGS: Marquise and Pear shapes will elongate the hand. Wide bands suit long fingers. Cocktail rings are good for stubby fingers! I say, wear whatever ring that turns you on and be happy!!!
BRACELETS: Chunky bracelets are great for the full-figured woman. Narrow Bangles suit petite women.
Of course, my bangles suit any woman! Check them out on Yessy.com.
NECKLACES: Chokers de-emphasize height for tall women, although I feel taller women can wear anything and look good. I guess that's because I'm petite and have to be more careful about what looks good. Longer necklaces elongate the body (THINK LARIATS) and also help elongate a square or round face. That's a lot of us! So note to us shorties: GO LONG!!!
EARRINGS: Long danglies are great for tall women, or women with long necks (if you are fortunate). Geometric shapes such as triangles can flatter full-figured women. My take: Ear-clips can create an illusion of height. Think short-cropped or spikey hair. Also a good option for short or petite women. Petites can wear pearls, studs or anything that doesn't overwhelm the face. I know there are many little gals out there saying Whoa-hold on there, I can wear anything. But trust me, it's just more flattering when your accessories don't overwhelm your best assets, which could include a pretty face, high cheekbones, or great eyes. Remember, jewelry is meant to enhance the wearer, not overwhelm her!!! So...lots of styles and shapes to choose from. Be sure to pick the best for your body-type to make the most of your GREAT ASSETS!!!

Inspired by The Tudors, the Renaissance period, and all things Beloved & British, I have created a special jewelry line called Lady Jane Jewells. LJJ will feature one-offs as well as limited edition pieces available to retailers. If you are interested in purchasing for your store, please visit my site at http://www.yessy.com/aridesigns or contact me via e-mail for the special Wholesalers Code. You can also purchase individual pieces on my website as they become available. But hurry...these pieces are bound to sell out fast and most will not be duplicated!