January 2026: The Year of the Canvas
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Once again, the design world is buzzing. Pantone has named Cloud Dancer—a soft, airy white—as the 2026 Color of the Year. While this choice has set the tone for my yearly theme, I’ll admit I’m a bit challenged to understand why so many in the creative and design fields feel that white "isn't a color" or that Pantone should have done "better."
I align myself with a different mindset. To me, Cloud Dancer represents a clean slate—the ultimate foundation from which infinite colors, ideas, and inspired creations can stem. This is why I am continuing the Inspiration Theme we started in 2025. I want to see how our art takes shape when we embrace the challenge of a "blank canvas."
For the beader, Cloud Dancer isn't just one color; it is an entire spectrum of light and texture. To truly master this year’s theme, we have to look at the varying "shades" of white in the bead world:
The Solids: The crispness of Chalk White and the velvet-softness of Matte White.
The Classics: The glow of Ceylon/Pastel White and the depth of White Pearls and Off-Whites.
The Ethereal: The "fire" within AB (Aurora Borealis) White and the ghostly, "milky" beauty of White Opal.
And let’s not forget the "Clear" family, which acts as the soul of Cloud Dancer. Transparent Crystal, AB Crystal, and Matte Crystal—especially in high-lead precision cuts like Swarovski or Star Bright Crystals—capture light in a way that no pigment ever could.
This year isn't about a lack of color; it’s about the diversity of white. Are you willing to take on the challenge?
