Have you ever wondered why some colours look good on others but not you? How many times have you made purchases off online blog-shops because the clothes looked so nice on the model, but when you’re the one wearing it, it looks really off? And you know what? The answer is, we all have a natural set of colour palette that’s works well, just for us only. Yes, only you!

There is a popular theory of how human’s skin can be categorized into the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each of these seasons is associated with a set of colours. Many image consultants/agencies offer this kind of colours analysis workshops for a small fee. It sure seems like the analysis must have worked well for most people, because when I did a simple google search on “colour analysis”, many links associated with image consultancy came up. It sure seems like a flourishing business.

The idea behind colours analysis is to wear colours that make you look bright and alert instead of dull and sleepy. Also, you may want to make sure the colours of the clothes you wear do not drown you into the midst of nowhere, or too overwhelming that it attracts people’s attention to it, but not to you. Do a search on youtube, and you will be able to find some “before and after” videos of some women who went through the colours makeover.

I was a little skeptical at first, but after having wasted money (fortunately not a fortune) on apparels not suitable for me, I think it made sense. For example, no matter how I wear my orange shirt, it somehow just didn’t look good on me. But not so for others.

Now how will these apply to accessories and jewellery? Likewise, there will be some people more suited to wear gold metal whereas some others more suited to wear silver. Sometimes, it may also be a preference, as there are definitely people who belong to the neutral, where all colours suit them well, which is a very lucky thing. I guess many of us don’t fall into that category. Where it comes to costume or fashion jewellery, the same concept applies. So how do you determine which season do you belong to? Before I being you to determining which season you belong to, it may well do you good to identify if you’re a warm coloured or a cool coloured person.

It is said that people with predominantly blue veins are considered a cool, whereas people with predominantly green veins are considered a warm. Of course, this is not a 100% accurate method, but it sure gives you something to think about. Generally speaking, a cool-coloured person is more suitable for dark and cool colours. Likewise the opposite is true. A warm-coloured person looks good in bright, cheery, and warm colours.

Do you find that you look best in gold jewellery? Then you’re a warm. Gold has a shade nearer to yellow, and it is a warm colour on the colour wheel. If you’re best suited wearing silver jewellery, then you’re a cool. However, there are instances whereby people prefer silver more than gold because silver is a more contemporary colour. Thus, it is not 100% accurate either.

This is the method where most image consultants use – and it may not be very easy for you, if you do not have an eye for colours. Take a piece of white paper and place it under your chin or beside your cheek in the day. Do not do this under artificial lighting as the colours will be off. If you see a yellowish tinge of colour on the white paper, then you’re a warm. If you see a pinkish or bluish tinge, then you’re a cool. I tried this method on myself and my mum. I think I can see something after staring at ourselves in the mirror for a long, long time. It works. My mother’s a warm, and I’m a cool. =)

How does your skin react when you were outdoors in the sun? It is said that cool people have a tendency to turn red on the cheeks after being in the outdoor sun for quite some time. Then there are people who do not burn, but yet get tanned quite easily. These people who do not turn red could well be categorized as warm. Another way is to see if you blush after drinking alcohol. In a similar fashion, people who blushed easily are cool, and those who don't, are warm. 

There is this flowchart (also adapted into a questionnaire) that shows you exactly how to determine your natural colours, and thereafter the season which you belong to.  

Take a look and take the quiz. I think it is pretty straightforward, and interesting. I did not come out with this quiz. Credits go to thechicfashionista.com

This method is to supercede the previous one as this method will be more accurate than the previous one. This is because what it is based on is your dominant colour characteristics instead of your skin colour. I have attached the chart again for your reference. Credits go to thechicfashionista.com


So what are you? If any of the methods above made you more confusing, perhaps you may like to do more searches on google, or if you’ve the money but not the time to spare, consult an image consultant who would definitely do a more thorough job at analyzing. If you know something more that I don’t, please share it with me. I’m always looking to more things to learn about. =) Have a nice, season-ly weekend!~

Note: This guide may not be taken out in part or in whole without the consent of the author. If you would like to post this on your site/blog, you may do so under the condition that you provide a credits link to our site (http://www.craftsbycammie.com).

Handmade jewelleries seemed very popular these days. How do you, as a buyer decide whether a piece of handmade/handcrafted jewellery is worth buying at the price you are getting it at? We often say, well that depends on the design. So what exactly goes into that design? Is design the only consideration? Let us look into what goes into a handmade piece.


Design

Most people think of design as something purely in the aesthetic sense. What matters to most buyers is that the handmade piece looks beautiful and unique. What most buyers missed out is how the handmade piece was made and what are the materials used to hold the handmade piece together.

Some materials cost more than the others, depending on their characteristics. Be prepared to pay for premium materials used if you need them. For example, some craftsters may offer alternative materials should you be allergic to them. A common case in point is the earrings. Earring hooks come into close contact with your skin, and some people may be allergic to fake metal. In such cases, you may be able to request to pay more to upgrade to either sterling silver, or gold-filled wire type of hooks. As these metals are more expensive, most craftsters do not use them unless requested.

Making handmade jewellery pieces is a form of labour intensive work. Think about the hours put into visiting the supplies stores and making numerous trips to get that one or two unique bead, or ornament. Most jewellery crafters market their jewellery pieces available in one or two limited quantities.  Some even go as far as importing special materials from overseas. Thus their pricing of the pieces took these costs of labour, time spent sourcing and shipping costs into account. If the reason you are buying handmade pieces is for their uniqueness, then you should also be willing to pay a premium for these.