Martini Olive and Ceylon Yellow - Pantone Fall 2018 Colors

When I started looking up the new Pantone Fall 2018 Fashion colors, I had a real blast from the past.  The colors Martini Olive and Ceylon Yellow are two shades that especially took me back in time to the Pantone 2017 Fall Colors - Moss Green and Lemon Curry.  This was the year when I ordered my set of Pantone Color Cards and mixed up my first Pantone colors for fall.

As a matter of fact, I was also into making bangle bracelets back then and here are some in this color combination:

While this year's fall color Ceylon Yellow is a perfect match for the Lemon Curry in 2007, the Martini Olive is a bit richer than the previous Moss green.

Here are recipes for the Pantone Fall 2018 Fashion colors Martini Olive and Ceylon Yellow using Kato clay:

Martini Olive

Follow recipe # 7-9* for Olive Green

Add 1 part Kato Black

Ceylon Yellow

Same recipe as Lemon Curry

Recipe # 6-4 *

* Note:  These clay color recipes are created using Kato Polyclay.  Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System. (which is on sale this week)

Pantone Fall 2018 Fashion Colors

I have been away for a bit visiting family and celebrating my dad's 90th birthday.  It was a good break but with so many things to do and catch up on, it is time to get back into my regular routine at home.

I was putting off mixing up the Pantone fall fashion colors again as usual, as it is difficult to think about fall when summer is just barely starting.  As I am in several shows this fall, I am making up those new items right now.  I really loved the colors for this last spring which makes it even harder to switch gears but I decided to  carry some of them through into the fall as they fit in well with this new palette.

A few of the new fall colors are closely related to ones in the past and just needed a bit of tweaking here and there.  For instance, Red Pear is very similar to the Tawny Port from last year but has a slight more red tone.  Ultra Violet of course is included again as it is the Pantone Color of the Year.

So you will see some of these new colors popping up soon in my work which will hopefully inspire you.  If you are working with clay yourself and have my Clay Color System, I will be sharing these new clay color recipes next week.

SALE!!

If you do not have my Clay Color System and have been thinking about it, I am having a sale right now on all of my tutorials -- but only until Monday evening.  All my tutorials have been reduced --  up to 50% off.

Please note:  These lessons are NOT instant downloads but are sent directly to the e-mail address you provide under your shipping info.  This means if you are in Europe, you do not have to pay any VAT taxes.  And remember the prices are in Canadian currency so the amount works out less if you are more familiar with US dollars.  (Approximately $1 Cdn = 76 cents US)

BONUS OFFER!!

Also, any tutorial purchase made during this time (from now until Monday midnight, PST) you will receive a bonus coupon code for 25% off to use towards any of our DIY supplies (jewelry, snap, buffing pads, etc.).

Pantone Color of the Year - Ultra Violet

I have noticed over the many years I have been mixing up the Pantone seasonal colors, that purple has not been very prominent and especially for the spring time.  In fact the last time a shade of purple was included with the spring colors was 2014 and even then, that shade, (Radiant Orchid), was leaning more towards a magenta than actual violet or purple.

Well not only is a purple in this Pantone Spring palette, it has also been declared as the color of the year!  I imagine all the purple lovers are dancing with joy over this.  I am okay with it but not overjoyed as it is a color that I cannot wear.  But by combining it with other colors like Lime Punch, Arcadia or Spring Crocus, I might actually be able to pull it off!

So I created some pieces using the Mokume Gane technique using just three of the Pantone Spring 2018 colors, Ultra Violet, Spring Crocus and Almost Mauve.  The three colors worked well together and created enough light and dark balance to make the pattern pop.

Scarf Necklace

Snap buttons for interchangeable jewelry

Whenever I play with this technique, each side of the compressed clay sheet is in two different colors -- I like to texture both sides to see which one I prefer.

In this combo, I like both sides and the two scarf necklaces below show the different results.

Just a few notes about these clay recipes.  If you have my Clay Color System, then you already have the Spring Crocus recipe.  The Ultra Violet is pretty much pure Kato Violet with a bit of pearl added.  And the Almost Mauve is white with a slight mauve tint which is obtained by adding a tiny amount of the Ultra Violet mix.  So here are the recipes for these three colors using Kato clay:

Ultra Violet

4 parts Kato Violet

1 part Kato Pearl

Spring Crocus

Same as the clay recipe

Fruit Punch # 11-2 *

Almost Mauve

8 parts White Mix 1-2 *

1/8 part Ultra Violet (above recipe)

* Note:  These clay color recipes are created using Kato Polyclay.  Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.

Interchangeable Beads in an Autumn Maple and Tawny Port Mix

I created a color mix earlier with the Pantone Fall 2017 fashion colors Autumn Maple, Butterum and Tawny Port.  It was a nice combination but I wanted the colors to pop a little more so I recreated the mix again but this time added some black.  I think the new color combo came out richer and is surprising how adding just a little black can create a more dramatic look.

We made these pieces with the Holy CaBezel jewelry molds.  On the left is with the Sue design and the right is Lorraine.  These of course are on a snap for interchanging and will be added to our online store soon.

We make almost all of our focal beads on a snap so they can be worn different ways.

"We create the art ... you choose how to wear it!"

Finished Projects with the Pantone Fall 2017 Fashion Colors

I finally managed to finish off some projects using the clay samples I showed earlier in the Pantone Fall 2017 fashion colors.  If you are looking for more inspiration on using these new colors or different combinations you can follow my Pinterest board.

With the clay veneer made in the Pantone colors Neutral Gray and Grenadine, I created a scarf necklace and some interchangeable snaps.

Here is another scarf necklace in the Neutral Gray and Ballet Slipper combination.  The color is an almost perfect match with our pink linen scarf.

And these pieces were created with the stencil technique.  The Neutral Gray and Shaded Spruce combo made into another scarf necklace and the Golden Lime made into interchangeable snaps.

Clay Recipe Links for the Pantone Fall 2017 Fashion Colors

Here is a review of the Pantone Fall 2017 fashion colors.   Click on the photos below to see the clay recipes using Kato clay.  If you would like to see more clay recipes for the past Pantone fashion colors, go to the color recipe page at the top of our blog.

Would you like some recipe cards with these Pantone colors ready to print out on 4" x 6" index cards?  They have the colored dots on them but are ready to add your own baked clay chip samples.

If so, click here to download and print out by following the instructions included.

Pantone Fall 2017 Colors Shaded Spruce and Golden Lime

The last two Pantone Fall 2017 fashion colors are Shaded Spruce and Golden Lime.  Both of these greens can be found in nature during the fall season.  Shaded Spruce is like a dark blue spruce and almost a deep teal.  Golden Lime is a more fall-like version of the Pantone color of the year, Greenery.

While these two colors look nice together their tone changed somewhat when combining the clay and they tended to fight against each other.  It is worth further experimenting later but in the mean time I decided to create some stenciled prints using these colors as a background.  Here a clay sheet of Shaded Spruce is combined with the Neutral Gray in the form of silver acrylic paint.

The metallic black paint really pops on the Golden Lime clay.  I was looking for a unique pattern and found this one among other stencils available at Shades of Clay.  Stencils can work similar to silk screens but can also be used in other ways making them more versatile.

So here are the recipes using Kato clay:

Shaded Spruce

7 parts Kato Turquoise

2 parts Kato Black

1 part Kato Pearl

Golden Lime

1 part Kato Green

6 parts Kato Yellow

1 part Kato Gold

* Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.

Pantone Fall 2017 Colors Neutral Gray, Grenadine & Ballet Slipper

Along with Navy Peony, Neutral gray is the other main neutral in the Pantone Fall 2017 pallette.   I decided to use it as my main clay color to work with today along with two opposite types of reds, Grenadine and Ballet Slipper.  Grenadine is a very strong orange red where Ballet slipper is more a cooler and softer shade.

I was experimenting with several combinations and love how both of these reds combine beautifully with the Neutral Gray and a little bit of black to make them pop.  I was playing around with these colors and found the Chevron-like patterns the most fun.  I didn't have enough time to make anything from these veneers as I wanted to get this posted so will show you later when I do.

So here are the recipes for these three colors using Kato clay:

Neutral Gray

4 parts Kato Silver

1 part Kato Black

1 part Kato White

Grenadine

1 part Kato Red

1 part Kato Orange

Ballet Slipper

8 parts White Mix # 1-2 *

3 parts Ecru Mix # 2-8 *

1/2 part Kato Magenta

1/4 part Kato Violet

* Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.

Pantone Fall 2017 Fashion Colors Navy Peony and Marina

I decided to focus on the two blue Pantone Fall 2017 fashion colors - Navy Peony and Marina.

If you have ever done much shopping for clothing lately, you might notice there is a lot of Navy which is almost the new black.  Like black, Navy combines well with a lot of colors.  Pantone describes Navy Peony as "a dependable and anchoring shade that is solid and stable, the hue takes some of the load off of black as a go-to neutral."  I hadn't played with my Bargello technique for some time and I found it was calling me and here is the result.

While the fall color Marina, is another shade of blue, it is much brighter than the Navy Peony and the only true cool color in this fall palette.  While blue is generally a popular color with many, I have found that for several years was not a good seller when it came to jewelry.  This past year, however, it has been slowly increasing in popularity again with Navy still being the top choice.  Combining these two shades could be a real winner.  These sculpted flowers and canes are an example of using both blues.

If you have my Clay Color System, then you already have the Navy Peony recipe in your collection.

Navy Peony

Same as

Navy Recipe # 9-7 *

Marina

3 parts Kato Blue

1 part White Mix # 1-2 *

4 parts Kato Pearl

* Note:  These clay color recipes are created using Kato Polyclay.  Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.

Pantone Fall Fashion Colors Tawny Port, Autumn Maple & Butterum

For some reason I found myself procrastinating on mixing up the Pantone Fall fashion colors.  Other than the colors Navy Peony and Golden Lime, I just did not find the other colors very exciting.  However, once I began mixing each one of the colors up and laying out my samples on the tile for baking, I felt a little more inspired.

My first thought was to combine the warm autumn shades of red and brown as they are so earthy and rich in color and depth.  The three colors combined (as in a mokume gane blend) reminded me so much of autumn leaves, I had to make some!

So here are the recipes using Kato clay:

Tawny Port

8 parts Crimson # 4-5 *

1 part Kato Pearl

Hint:  When mixing up a recipe batch of Crimson (Recipe # 4-5),

add 1 part Kato Pearl

Autumn Maple

1 part Kato Brown

1 part Kato Copper

1 part Kato Gold

Butterum

1 part Kato Brown

1 part Kato Gold

2 parts Ecru Mix # 2-8 *

* Note:  These clay color recipes are created using Kato Polyclay.  Any of the base color "mixes" used are from my Clay Color System.

Playing with Fall Colors

I always look forward to my new issue of the Polymer Arts Magazine and the fall issue will be out shortly.  The last issue (Summer) was all about color.  Anyone that knows me personally understands how I love color and the main reason why I love playing with polymer clay!

I studied color in art class years ago and have all the various wheels and charts.  I have discovered, however, that color mixing and combining can still be somewhat complicated or even intimidating to others.  This is why I developed a lesson that I called my Clay Color System.

It includes several easy to follow exercises and worksheets for mixing colors and creating color blends and a method for saving the information as a reference.

It is also a method of organization and time management.  My lesson provides more than 50 clay color recipes to get you started and a unique way for keeping track of them as well as the clay that you have mixed up.  This way you do not have to start from scratch each time you need a new color.

Twice a year, I share on our blog the clay recipes for the Pantone Fashion Colors allowing you to add even more colors to your library.  Even if you aren't into the latest fashion colors, it can still (hopefully) provide some inspiration.

So starting tomorrow, I will share with you my clay recipes for the Pantone Fall 2017 Fashion colors along with some ideas on combining and using these warm shades.

More Designs in a Snap! and Bonus Offer

My friend Joanne came over to clay with me the other day and brought some templates and textures by Melanie Muir she had recently purchased to play with.  I was immediately drawn to one of the textures and was planning on creating some jewelry pieces in dark blue to go with my summer wardrobe.  I tried one of the templates as well to create a pendant and matching earrings.

The colors I used to create the mokume gane were the Pantone Spring color Lapis Blue, White Mix (recipe # 1-2 in my Clay Color System) and Kato silver.

Naturally my pendant piece is actually a snap, making it interchangeable.

I like to wear it on a stainless steel necklace chain but I also love to wear it on the frost white softglass cord for a totally different look! 

You will find a mini tutorial I did some time ago on how to add a snap base to the softglass or other cording here.

And of course all the little left-over pieces made great smaller size snaps that I can wear in my other snap base accessories such as a bracelet, hair barrettes, and handbag.

I love my handbags with the snaps and have several in different colors.  These bags are excellent quality (imitation leather) and after using them on a daily basis for a while now they still look like new and are a fun accessory!  They come with 2 interchangeable straps:  One adjustable shoulder and wrist and have 3 zipper pockets.

If you would like one of these bags, we have a special bonus offer!  With a $100 minimum purchase (after any discounts or coupons applied) from our Snap Decisions Collection and/or DIY Snap Supplies, receive a clutch purse ($29.95 value) of your choice at no charge!  No coupon code is required.  Just leave a comment at the checkout which color you would like.  This offer is for 2 days only and ends Sunday midnight (June 25) or while quantities last.  We also have a limited quantity of colors so first come, first served.

By the way, my favorite bag color is the Cedar which is very similar to the Pantone fall color Dusty Cedar.  I find it is more like a dusty rose or burgundy and any clay pieces made with the Pearl Ex mica powder color, Red Russet is a close match.