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By admin, April 6, 2012 12:15 am

Wondering what brides and bridesmaids will be wearing with their dresses in 2012? The latest designs for 2012 weddings have recently been unveiled, offering a sneak peek into what you can expect to see in stores when you start shopping for bridesmaid jewelry and bridal jewelry sets. Find out more about the 2012 wedding accessories trends.

Color, color, color! The more the better, and make it bright! This about sums up the number one trend for 2012 wedding accessories. And not just one color either; mixed palettes with lots of different hues will be very popular for bridesmaid jewelry sets and also for brides. Combine a rainbow of glittering Swarovski crystals into a fabulous wide bracelet that will become a favorite accessory for years after your wedding. Wide and chunky bracelets, necklaces, and earrings will be a hot look, and are a fun way to add personal style to any bridal gown or bridesmaid dress.

Color isn’t just for wedding jewelry. For the last several years, brides have been gliding down the aisle in shoes in any color other than white. It started with pale blue shoes worn for the “something blue”, then expanded to include pink for the classic bride and crimson for the dramatic bride. But in 2012, wedding shoes will be more colorful and festive than ever. Think coral silk pumps with crystal embellishments, royal blue pumps with sparkling butterflies, and hot pink ballet flats made from glittering fabric. If you are more of a classic white shoe kind of bride, step out in style in another 2012 bridal accessory trend: platform pumps. The most chic ones are embellished with lots of sparkle and really make a statement. Petite brides, your day to feel tall has come!

And don’t forget about your evening bag. Some of the most standout accessories displayed at the recent bridal market were the vibrant jeweled clutches made by Judith Leiber. These little beauties are simple small hard frame clutches completely covered with dazzling Swarovski crystals. The bags come in every color you can imagine, from Kelly green to hot pink to sunshine yellow. Here’s a fun idea: have your attendants carry fabulous crystal clutches down the aisle instead of bouquets. They will definitely enjoy their wedding souvenirs!

Ever since the outrageous British hats spotted at Princess Kate and Prince William’s royal wedding, American ladies have become fascinated by…fascinators. A whimsical wisp of feathers perched on top of the head is a fun trend that is showing up even on bridesmaids. They are a great way to add a unique flair to the cocktail party style black dresses that are trending for the bridal party in 2012. If you are the DIY sort of bride, you can make one-of-a-kind fascinators for all of your bridesmaids in your favorite colored feathers. White feathers combined with organza roses are fabulous for the bride, either on their own or as part of a birdcage veil.

Vintage inspired styles will still be going strong for 2012 weddings. When it comes to accessories, that translates to vintage inspired jewelry like chandelier earrings, cz Art Deco style bracelets, and romantic Edwardian style pendants. They are the perfect accessories for the stunning beaded chiffon wedding gowns that were all over the runway at Jenny Packham’s Fall 2012 bridal collection. Complete your look with a big bridal beauty trend: red lipstick.

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By admin, April 6, 2012 12:10 am

Tuscan-inspired home decorating is a beautiful, popular and extremely versatile decorating style. It is warm and can have a rustic or polished look and feel that is reminiscent of the Tuscan region of Italy. Yet its versatility allows it to work in harmony with almost any other decorating style…whether contemporary, metropolitan, country French or traditional just to name a few.

This harmony is achieved through the use of colors, textures and accessories. You can refer to my previous articles for more in-depth information on colors and textures. In this article I’m focusing on the use of accessories…one of the most important, versatile and easy means of achieving a rich, interesting look in any room of any style.

An accessory is defined as a subordinate or supplementary part, object, or the like, used mainly for convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc. Although this definition categorizes accessories as “subordinate or supplementary,” they are extremely important in establishing or completing a décor look. What this definition has captured well, though, is attractiveness, convenience and safety – and these are traits you should look for when selecting décor accessories for your home. You can use accessories liberally for an overall look, or sparingly as an accent only. Following are some examples of attractive, convenient, and often functional home decorating accessories that reflect a Tuscan, Mediterranean or Old World style:

Vases, Urns, Pots, Tubs – can be made of ceramic, terra cotta, stone or earthenware, polystone or other resins, glass or iron. These pieces can stand alone or can be used to hold fresh flowers, dried herbs, wine or other beverage cans and bottles, fresh or artificial fruits and vegetables, ornaments, hand towels…the uses are endless in any room and with any style. Also endless are the colors and finishes. You’ll find both bright and muted colors in rough and polished finishes.

Platters and Bowls – work especially well in kitchens, dining and great rooms. A beautiful, hand painted platter attractively displayed on an iron stand does double-duty as an accessory and a functional serving piece. Bowls are a perfect catch-all for fruit, vegetables, mail, keys change…you name it.

Trays – can be attractively displayed on a stand when not being used for service. A large wooden or metal tray can be placed on an ottoman to create a unique and useful table top. A wicker tray or basket can hold fresh fruits or vegetables to create a “market” look in your kitchen as you prepare meals for family and friends.

Boxes – covered or open, large or small are perfect are interesting and beautiful to look at and can hold untold treasures, create extra storage space or keep your remote controls out of sight when not being used. Group them with several others of similar style or other accessories.

Candles – whether actual flames or new, safe LED candlelight, candles provide a warm and inviting glow in any setting. Use them liberally indoors or out. Display them at varying heights by using votive holders, candlesticks of varying heights and widths, lanterns and wall hanging holders. As long as you keep safety in mind, you can’t go wrong with an abundance of candlelight.

Photos and Prints – in beautiful frames are a wonderfully interesting way to show off your family, friends, pets, travels and hobbies in photographs. Architectural and landscape prints with unique matting and frames can add the finishing touch to any area. Objects beautifully displayed in framed shadowboxes are also interesting and work well in hallways, bed and bath rooms. Frames come in all sizes, shapes and materials and are just the right thing for counters, table tops, shelves, pianos and walls.

Mirrors – in beautiful frames become works of art. They can make a small room look larger, a dark room lighter, bring the outside in and reflect all of the beauty found in your home. They can be any size or shape. Use them in any room for a great effect.

Clocks – keep us on time and in style. Choose any size from table top to 30″ wall clocks. Clocks make a unique and functional statement and work well in any part of your home.

Dinnerware – Don’t forget your everyday or more formal dinnerware. Colorful pieces of dinnerware can be displayed on open shelves for an interesting focal point. And when set on your table, they speak for themselves and reflect your love of the good life.

Plants and Flowers – either live, preserved or dried are natural, warm and inviting. Use them in any size and location. Pair them with other accessories.

I hope you are beginning to see how many everyday items can become works of art or focal points of interest when creatively displayed in your home. Move things around from time to time and see how you bring new life to them and their surroundings.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules or boundaries in Tuscan decorating. Don’t be afraid to use a variety of colors, textures and textiles. A sleek ceramic urn can add a splash of color to a monochromatic, contemporary look. A rustic bowl in a country French kitchen can make a functional decorating statement. Try a vintage clock in a traditional home. Tuscan décor accessories are harmonious with any style and should not be rigid and matching.

Whether you’re decorating an entire home in a Tuscan style or are just looking for a few ideas or decor accessories to enhance what you already have, you can’t go wrong with the Tuscan style. Tuscan or Mediterranean home decor is casually elegant and perfect for everyday life in any home.

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By admin, April 6, 2012 12:07 am

There are no hard and fast rules that you can follow in order to create a well designed product label. However, most of us recognize an appealing design when we see one. Why? Because there are certain elements that will make a label design attractive and compelling. This article will guide you through the main design elements of a product label and provide tips on how to use these elements to your advantage.

1. Color

To grab the attention of someone who is casually walking the aisles of the supermarket you need to use color well. The color you choose for your label is dependent on a number of things. What color is your container? If you are using a clear container, then what color is the product? You need to make sure that the colors you choose for the label don’t clash in a negative way to lessen the visual appeal of the entire package. Luckily there are tools to help you choose colors that will work well together. Adobe Kuler (kuler.adobe.com), ColourLovers (www.colourlovers.com) and ColorBlender (www.colorblender.com) are tools that you can use to help choose attractive color combinations for your labels.

2. Graphics

An eye catching graphic will also help draw attention to your product. With stock photography and illustrations so inexpensive these days you can find a graphic for your labels at places like iStockphoto.com or Photos.com for just a few dollars. You can then use these images on your product labels, just be sure to check the license agreement. In the case of iStockphoto you can use most images for up to 500,000 product labels without buying an extended license. A picture really can be worth 1,000 words on a product label as a compelling graphic draws the eye to your product.

3. Readability

Color and graphics will help catch the eye but unless your label is easily readable at a glance then you will lose people. They say you have only 2-3 seconds to attract the attention of a shopper browsing the aisles of a grocery store which is enough time to read just a handful of words. You should have your brand or company name as well as two or three words describing the product in large enough type that it can be read from six feet away.

4. Fonts

Speaking of type, your choice of fonts is a critical decision and deserves just as much attention as choosing color and graphics. Don’t choose one of the standard Windows fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial, and also avoid overused fonts such as Papyrus or Monotype Corsiva. Don’t be afraid to try something new and different – there are thousands of unique fonts available online – just go to fonts.com or 1001freefonts.com. The important point to remember is that you want good looking type that is easy to read.

5. Material

Before you even begin the design process you need to consider the label material. Your design needs to “fit” the material. Common material choices include white, clear, or a cream textured paper. Clear material allows for a “no label look” that can be very striking if you have a colored container or product. Take a look at Palmolive original dish soap – this is a product that uses a clear label very well. A simple design with white ink, it really shows off the striking green liquid inside. White material gives you the most flexibility with design, because you can make white into any color you like, or you can just use the white background. For an old world look, a textured cream paper can be very effective and is popular with wineries where you want to convey a handcrafted image.

6. Label Finish

Whether you choose a glossy or matte finish to your labels is a judgment call depending on the kind of image you want to convey. A matte laminate can provide a more classic look that is very easy to read, whereas gloss will add some impact to the colors on the label and provide a shiny, reflective look. A good example of the matte look is the Honest Tea brand of bottled teas. In the highly competitive beverage market they have a more subdued look with a simple label that works really well with the matte finish. If you can’t decided between matte and glossy then do a small order of both and test it – see what people find most attractive.

7. Label Size

If you are using a round container then you most likely have a choice – do you want one large label or separate front and back labels? Front and back labels allow you to elegantly separate the front branding information from the ingredient and regulatory information but they can be more expensive than a large wrap around label. If you go with a wraparound label then it is important to keep a front “panel” with the vital branding information because that is what the consumers will see as they are browsing the aisles.

8. Shapes

You can really draw attention to your label by using an unusual shape. This will require the initial investment of a new die which can cost several hundred dollars depending on the size and complexity of your design. Heinz ketchup is one example of an unusual shape done well – the keystone label shape has become part of their brand after more than 130 years. Here is one trick that can save you the money of buying a special die. Use a clear label and simulate an unusual shape by using white ink to create your desired shape, so it will appear that your label has a unique shape even if it is a simple rectangle label.

9. A Theme for Different Flavors

With multiple flavors of the same product it is important to keep major design elements of your label consistent. Whether someone is looking at the peach, orange or lime flavor they should be able to recognize instantly that it is all the same company and brand. A company that does an excellent job of keeping a consistent yet different look between flavors is Nantucket Nectars. Each flavor has a simple illustration encompassing the flavor with a similar scene from Nantucket Island in the background.

10. Contact Information

In the 21st century every company should have contact information on their product labels. This is obviously not about making your label design more appealing, but rather having your label be more than just a passive selling and marketing tool. An 800 number, a web site and a physical address can all be easily included on the label. You could provide a special web site on your label for customers to sign up for an email list, so you can gather information and start to interact with your good customers.

When designing your label it is important to take into account what your competition is doing. If most companies in your space have very colorful and glossy labels, then maybe a more plain and subdued look will allow you to stand out on the supermarket shelf. Take many of the elements mentioned here and differentiate yourself from the competition. Providing a new and interesting look invites customers to pick up your product.

As we said in the beginning of this article there are no hard and fast rules for good label design, but if you stroll the grocery store aisles and look at the labels of products that have been successful you will see that they have many elements in common. Of course, most of these successful products have labels that were created by professional graphic designers, so if you can afford one I firmly believe that is money well spent. But if you don’t have the budget or prefer to do it yourself then consider these ten elements when creating your product label.