Summer multi-gemstone hoop earrings.

(Adapted from the Whispering Iris monthly newsletter. Be sure to sign up to receive specials exclusive to newsletter recipients! E-mail me with “sign me up” in the subject bar to become a monthly recipient.)

Being somewhat an apprentice at handmade jewelry still, I hadn’t given much thought about researching fashion trends and colors and incorporating them into my jewelry. It would be somewhat pretentious to say that I am an avid fashion follower and can’t wait to get my hands on the latest trend, quite the contrary. I’m just a regular gal sharing my craft with the world. I sit in my lax cotton shorts I purchased at Target, t-shirt I got sometime somewhere, and baseball cap as I type this. But I like to dress up once in a while and accessorize, too.

It also doesn’t take a lot of “research” to know what the color trends in fashion are, right? We do it all the time when we want to add something new to our wardrobe. We have no choice. All clothing stores keep up with fashion trends so we don’t have to, no matter if it’s a high end store or not. What’s my point?

Two days ago I thought hmm, all my bead magazines are always talking about the season’s Pantone color trends. Pantone is a standardized color system. Every year Pantone puts out a color of the year and industries follow suit and incorporate this color into their products or wears. I wondered what the “trends” are for the summer. So I asked the Google and he said (yes, I picture the Google as a wise old man with a fu manchu) 2012’s Pantone color is Tangerine Tango, and this season’s colors are trending towards vivid pastels and vibrant prints on luxurious fabrics. Also, neutrals are in, as they always should be for those that oppose wild animal prints in “vibrant colors.”

So, I reflected on my jewelry and realized that I’m already using this year’s color trends. I like to create my jewelry to be worn seasonally and am already conscious of what colors compliment what season. No, I’m not trying to sound like I have it all together and that my jewelry is now runway worthy. My point is, colors don’t change. What changes is how fashion uses colors. This actually made me more excited about color. As a crafter, I have access to an infinite choice of colors. My palettes are endless and that makes the possibilities for my jewelry endless as well. This insight is a crucial motivator as I sludge through the very dense jungle of Jewelry and Accessories.

Ultimately, those of you who lurk and stalk in these fashion jungles get to hunt down the accessories that best compliment your own wardrobes and have fun wearing them!

Just for kicks, I have to say I am extremely attracted to the Tangerine Tango of 2012, so below are a pair of earrings I designed incorporating this color along with other fun pieces I made for the summer.

As an aside, I’ve observed some women are hesitant to wear this color because of their skin tone, or that it’s just too bright. I love the way this color looks against fair skin, copper tones, really dark skin tones, olives, and everyone in between. Anyone can wear this color. Try dressing in neutral colors, beiges tans and whites, and using vibrant colors to accessorize. Keep your makeup light and natural. This will make your earrings or bracelet stand out, not your whole outfit.

Enjoy the pictures below and thanks for reading!