Hi everyone! I’m Cathy Perry from Waterside Wreaths & Decor. I wanted to help answer a question I recently saw about ribbon colors and quality.
The question specifically asked what ribbon should they add to their collection when starting a wreath making business. Trust me, I wish I had considered all this before I went crazy buying all the pretty things.
I highly encourage you to start with a basic palette and expand it gradually as you discover your own style and preferences in creating. This approach not only helps in building a versatile collection but also ensures that you will have the right colors on hand for a wide range of projects.
Ribbon Colors and Palettes
Classic Neutrals:
Start with neutrals as they match anything. Black, white, and shades of gray are essential. Consider also adding a range of browns and creams for projects requiring a softer or more natural look.
Neutrals are great for everyday designs.
Why They are Essential
Neutrals can serve as the backbone of many projects, providing balance, contrast, or a subtle elegance. They are perfect for grounding more vibrant colors and can match with any theme.
Varieties to Consider:
Besides solid black, white, and grays, incorporating variegated shades like off-white, ivory, taupe, and charcoal can add depth. Textured neutrals like burlap ribbons can bring a rustic feel to projects.
Primary Colors
Red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors from which other colors can be mixed. Having these in your collection allows for a wide range of color combinations and is great for bold, vibrant projects. These colors are great for holidays such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and Summer.
Creative Uses:
Primary colors are perfect for projects aimed at children, educational projects, and any design that seeks to be bold and eye-catching. They can be mixed and matched to create a lively palette.
Shades and Tints:
Collecting various shades of red, blue, and yellow (from light to dark) allows for more sophisticated color schemes
Secondary Colors
Orange, green, and purple are secondary colors, created by mixing primary colors. These are useful for adding depth and contrasting projects. These colors are great colors for Fall and Halloween designs.
Contrasting Projects:
Using orange, green, and purple can add a vibrant contrast to your crafts, especially when paired with their complementary primary color (that is another lesson for the future).
Seasonal Themes:
These colors are also great for seasonal themes, with green for spring, orange for autumn, purple for summer and Halloween designs.
Pastels:
Soft pastels such as baby blue, soft pink, lavender, mint green, and pale yellow are perfect for spring-themed projects, baby showers, and any craft that calls for a gentle touch of color. Easter, Summer and Mother’s Day projects come to mind for using pastels.
Soft and Subtle:
Pastel ribbons are perfect for projects that require a soft touch, such as weddings, baby shower decorations, and Easter projects.
Mixing with Neutrals and Metallics:
Pastels paired with neutrals can create a sophisticated palette, while combining them with metallics can add a festive or glamorous touch.
Metallics:
Gold, silver, and bronze ribbons add a touch of elegance and sparkle to any project. They are perfect for holiday crafts, wedding decorations, and any project that needs a bit of shine.
Adding Sparkle:
Metallic ribbons can transform a project from simple to luxurious. They are especially useful for holiday decorations, wedding crafts, and any project where a touch of glamour is desired. (Let’s agree that we have a love-hate relationship with glittered ribbons.)
Variety:
Beyond gold, silver, and bronze, look for metallic ribbons in rose gold, metallic blues, greens, and reds for more variety.
Holiday and Seasonal Colors:
Think about the major holidays and seasons. There are definitely some traditional palettes that you’re probably used to seeing.
Red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter and spring, red/white/blue for patriotic holidays in the U.S., etc.
These can be collected gradually as each season approaches.
Planning:
Encourage collecting these colors in anticipation of major crafting holidays. This forward-thinking approach ensures that materials are on hand when inspiration strikes.
Versatility:
Many holiday colors can also be repurposed for other projects (e.g., red can be used for Valentine’s Day, July 4th, Memorial Day and Christmas).
Trendy Colors:
Keep an eye on the color of the year announced by the Pantone Color Institute and other trending colors. Adding these to your collection can keep your projects up to date with current fashion and design trends.
Staying Current:
Adding trendy colors can make projects more contemporary and appealing. This can be particularly important for crafts intended for sale or as gifts.
Research:
Pay particular attention to fashion, interior design, and follow DecoExchange to stay informed about the latest trends.
Textures and Patterns:
While focusing on colors, do not forget to include a variety of textures (grosgrain, velvet, lace) and patterns (polka dots, stripes, floral, plaid) to add interest and dimension to your crafts.
Enhancing Visual Interest:
Different textures (e.g., grosgrain for ribbed texture, velvet for softness) can add a tactile dimension to your design, making them more appealing to your customer.
Patterns for Personality:
Patterns can convey themes or personal styles. Florals are perfect for romantic or vintage projects, stripes and polka dots for a playful vibe, and plaids for a classic or cozy look.
Building a Quality Ribbon Collection
Start Small:
Begin with a few selections from each category and expand as needed based on the types of projects your student is most interested in.
Quality vs. Quantity:
Invest in high-quality ribbons as they will be easier to work with and will provide a better finish to the crafts. Wired ribbon is highly suggested for your wreath projects. Look for a wired ribbon that will hold its shape. Of course, DecoExchange is the place to find a wide selection of colors and quality ribbon to fit all your design needs.
Storage and Organization
Encourage proper storage solutions to keep ribbons organized and easily accessible, such as spool racks, drawer dividers, or clear storage boxes. By understanding the utility and appeal of each type of ribbon, you can thoughtfully curate a collection that not only inspires creativity but also supports a wide range of design options.