I know this question has been discussed before, but I would like to hear from some of the newer members on the forum (and "oldies" too!).

Do you follow the color and design trends, or do you design on whims and "what feels good"?

 I do both...  I sometimes see beads that that I just have to have (like the latest forum challenge #12).  Also, when I come across something unique or unusual that strikes my fancy I'll make something from it.  I will also "be on a color mission" where I am seeking out what is forcasted for color. 

 I don't follow the design trends though.  I just like to keep things simple usually.  I have the "instant gratification" syndrome.  I just need to get it done and say, "Ahhhhh" right away.

What do others do?

Kathie

I would say that for the most part I do not.  I do buy the magazines and see what they say regarding colors for the season and so forth, but never end up doing anything with it.  I just read in Lucky Magazine that hot pink is the color for fall.  I honestly can't see myself making anything with hot pink   Like you I usually see a strand of beads or a clasp that I MUST have and then just go from there. 

I follow trends personally - I'm interested in fashion and color trends - but I never design to them. I have regular color combinations that work well and sell well for my business, and though I occasionally experiment with other combos, I often stick to the tried and true, because they keep bringing me sales.

I do, however, mention trends in my newsletter e-mails. For example, gray is having a moment and I am reminding customers for fall that I use gray in my designs often, and what a great neutral it is. So my designs aren't dictated by color trends, but I certainly like to capitalize on them.  :)

Kathie,

    I decided when I started to bead that I would not copy others work. I might use a design I like for a jumping off point. I've been beading fewer than 3 months. I might also base something on a bead I find or someone's birthstone. Joanie

I am the same. I am new to this beautiful world of beads. I saw a bracelet I liked last night but ordered beads for my recipient's birthstone. Also, if I find beads I like I'll plan around them.

There are colors I like to use a lot. Like the blues and purples. I also prefer silver findings.

As time goes on, I will most likely do what I like, not be a slave to the latest fashion. Joanie

i deffinetely dont like to follow trends.........i think what makes a piece the most special is when it comes from your heart and your interests instead of whatever everyone else is wearing. if you follow what you like, the piece will always be in style, but trends come and trends go.

-laura

I don't necessarily follow trends myself.  I make what I like.  I figure if we all followed the trends, we'd have too many left over beads that we would not be able to use.  What fun is that?  I follow the colors sure, but the styles not so much.  If there is a design style or tecnique I like I will practice it and make my own version~I do not copy bead for bead and color for color. 

And Laura, I agree with you.  We should all wear what we like instead of what we are told is in style.  Styles and trends change every few months practically. 

wow! could you imagine the show us your work section if we all made the same things. i think that our differences in taste, and style make up who we are. i htink if we all did the same thing, it would destroy the purpose of creativity.  i guess people will have to think about that next time theyre looking at someone elses work and think " oh its not my style". youre right, it isnt your style, and the best part is, it doesnt have to be, cuz we are all different. GEEZ!ive been very long winded these past couple of days!

-laura

I've been beading for one year and I am now selling my designs. I have to be somewhat concerned about trends. My last sale was for a 36 inch necklace. I had an 18 inch necklace and the person liked the style but asked for the 36-inch long one. Luckily I had enough beads to make the necklace longer. She said that the longer lengths are popular now and even 48 inch lengths are popular. So, I'm making a few 36 inch necklaces and thinking about just one or two 48 inch ones. The necklaces do get more expensive at the longer lengths though.

I read brown is the "new black"; so I'm making necklaces in that color range. Gray seems to be popular so I'm making a few necklaces with gray stones.

 I get newsletters from Firemountain Gems and Artbeads.com and I've noticed that they often have sales on beads in the current colors or styles such as black agate beads, black aventurine which is more gray than black, etc.

So, I've learned to look at their offerings and buy these beads when they are on sale. At artbeads.com you'll never see them again because they sell out.

I don't follow design trends too much as I like classic designs and I can spend quite a bit of time to make sure I have the best design for the beads I'm using. It often takes two or three tries before I'm satisfied with a design. 

I'm really new to the forum, and have been designing jewelry for about four years. I'm thinking about starting a home-based jewelry business in the near future, and I had a friend ask me this question. My answer was that I don't set out to follow trends because they come and go.

My hope is that I am designing a piece that will fit into my buyer's permanent collection, so I choose materials and colors that I am drawn to, or I'll see beads and colors and a specific person will immediately come to mind. I guess when I make pieces, my goal is longevity -- to create a piece that a woman wears often and fondly, instead of making something that she might only wear for a season or two and then toss.

For my own jewelry, I decided that I'd rather take my chances designing a single unique piece, as opposed to putting a single design into limited production. Although, if someone is producing jewelry in limited or mass quantities, they are subject to the whole supply and demand thing, so from a business perspective keeping up on trends might become more of a consideration.

I tend to think that purchasing jewelry boils down to an emotional decision, its a treat and not a necessity. What are people's thoughts on this?

I've been really out of touch with the fashion world ever since I graduated from college a year and a half ago.  I make what I like and try to combine chainmaille with beads as much as possible to get that unique look.  It's hard, but so far so good.   But I do keep up with the season's color trends and try to design around that.

I read about the trends occasionally.  In selling my work, I know I have to keep up with them to a certain point, just to please some of my customers.  I'm not going to stop creating what is important to me to become a slave to trends, though.

 Here in the Chattanooga/Knoxville area of Tennessee, the trends hit us a bit later than in large cities like Atlanta or New York, so I modify them to local tastes.  There are always customers who want something new, but most of my sales are to ladies who want something they can wear for a long time, something that fits their personal style.

One thing:  I do see a difference between a trend and a fad.  Do y'all?

Barbara

yes, i see....a trend is like something that lasts for years or longer

a fad is like something that lasts a week or so.

i truly believe in following the trends that come from my heart...because they can  last a lifetime. cheesy but true!

the trends dont reach our side of the nation for a long time too.

-laura

I follow trends sometimes. I would never make something I didn't like just because it was in style, but every so often a trend comes along that I do like. My rule is that I make whatever I feel like making, regardless of the latest styles.

Sometimes I follow trends. I would never make something I wasn't crazy about, just because it was in style, but on the other hand, every so often a trend comes along that I do like. My basic principle is to just make whatever I want to make, regardless of whether or not it is the latest trend.

 No i wouldnt say that i follow trends too keenly........

however i wear whatever comes naturally to me....

although i must profess i dont have a gigantic wardrobe i can say that i am pretty stylish 

 I tend to be like you. I follow trends to a certain extent, but also stick to my basic style which is pretty classic and dainty. I like small beads and small charms, delicate chains and crystals that catch the light. I do like the current trend of layering delicate pieces together, since it allows me to wear many of my necklaces together! I was actually doing that for a little while before the trend truly took hold. Now I'm just "in style". ;)