What beading thread to use?

What color beads look good together?

Sometimes the most challenging part of beading is determining what bead colors look good together. Many articles on this topic discuss color theory, which is really helpful when choosing bead color combinations.

Color theory relies on using a color wheel to help you select colors that harmonize together as well as elicit a specific mood or feeling.

If you want to learn more about color theory and use a color wheel, I recommend the Pick, Point, and Match Rainbow Color Selector. It comes with a color wheel as well as a guidebook. It's a condensed version of color theory that helps you pick bead color combinations easily.

When I use the color wheel, I often start with one bead color that I want to incorporate into my design. I then use the wheel to select additional colors. It's a fun exercise!

Another way to choose bead colors is to take a photo of nature that inspires you and select a handful of colors that stand out in the image. In my experience, nature rarely gets it wrong.

In addition, you can start with a bead that has a rainbow or iris finish. These finishes give the beads a multi-colored, iridescent surface that changes as the light shifts. Therefore, you can combine your starting bead with the other colors you see on the surface. For example, Miyuki bead number 455D has a metallic iris finish, which creates a surface with shades of green, blue, and purple. Therefore, you can select solid colors of green, blue, and purple that match.

Monochrome color palettes are also beautiful when it comes to beading. Start with one color and choose different shades, tones, or finishes of that same color.

You can also create a color combination based on a theme. For example, say you want to create a beach-themed design. Simply google "beach color palettes" and view the images. Once you find a palette you like, try to match the colors in the palette with bead colors. This can be tricky because you might not be able to find the exact shades or tones, but you may be able to find something similar that works.

Before we move on, I just want to share something important to consider. Picking bead color combinations can be tricky when buying beads online. Therefore, it's important to find shops with clear and accurate photos. Because even if a shop accepts returns, sometimes the cost to return a tube of beads ends up costing more than the beads originally.

Instant Seed Bead Color Combinations

Now, if you want to skip to the best part without the hassle, bead mixes can help. I can't say this for all bead mixes out there, but at least the ones that I create are designed to offer you the best seed bead color combinations without all the work. And just because the beads are mixed, it doesn't mean that you can't create patterns, too. My seed bead mixes look great when used randomly, as well as with patterns. Below are a handful of designs made with my bead mixes.

As you can see, bead mixes offer lots of possibilities! And I have created free beading tutorials and free beading patterns for many of the designs above.

To recap, bead mixes offer you a seed bead color combination instantly. No guesswork! And there are many ways you can add your own touch from the findings you choose to the patterns you create. But the benefits don't stop there!

Bead mixes allow you to try many different color combinations without having to buy full tubes of many colors. This will save you a ton of money, especially if you're just getting started. Eventually, you'll find colors that speak to you, and you can stock up on those.

Bead mixes not only offer beautiful bead color combos, but many also offer a variety of bead finishes, which add movement, depth, and lots of interest. You can learn more about bead finishes in this article.

Bead mixes aren't just for beginners! Many of my expert customers find that bead mixes inspire them, help them get out of a color rut, or challenge them to step outside of their color comfort zone.

Finally, bead mixes are better for the environment. Instead of each color being packaged individually, you get all the colors in one bag, which reduces the use of plastic. Plastic use is unavoidable, but every little effort to reduce our use helps.

Now, what about the fact that the colors are mixed? Do you need to sort the colors if you want to make a pattern? Well, that's entirely up to you. I never sort them. I just lay my mixed beads on a beading mat and pick up the color I need as I go.

So...if you find yourself wondering what bead colors look good together or how to choose bead colors, give a bead mix a try. You're guaranteed to find something that speaks to you from our large selection here.