New info for the upcoming season. I got this through email from Fire Mtn. Gems.

http://www.firemountaingems.com/trends/09SS/default.asp?WT.fmg_linksection=5K1GQL2DIJ4C&WT.mc_id=NL090127

I checked out that Firemountain link - I guess bright colors really are coming back - I do love turquoise/teal as a color...ultimately I think that regardless of trends, you should stay true to your own tastes - there are quite a few trends that I see on etsy that I don't totally love - like the whole mushroom theme as I mentioned in my earlier post - but I am sure a few months from now a different trend will pop up so I still feel that you should stick to your own visions and tastes, and if they fall in line with a currently popular trend than all the better.

I do consider trends to a certain extent since my target audience is a little trendy. When I decided to define my target market I figured a woman who kept up with trends would probably spend a little more because she would be making purchases every season. I also live in the LA area which is probably more trendy than the average city.

Although I have yet to buy leggings (I've come very close). I do buy skinny/stretch jeans and fitted tops. I have pretty much been small/thin my whole life even as I approach 40 yo and have found that skinny type clothes make me look less lost

If only I could come up with the best combo and sell more!

I was looking at Opera magazine and looks like wood and green still going strong.

This is really long but here's what I found searching. Interesting colors!

Here's a list of trends to watch as they emerge from the runways of New York and London:
• Prints — Wonderful Parrot-like prints from Peter Pilotto, huge playful polka dots, and tropical exotic holiday prints from iconic designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg.
• Colors — Tropical and zesty fruits and nutty flavors from pistachio, citrus lemons and limes to juicy papaya. An abundance of nudes offer a neutral (and transparent) palette. Metallic liquid silver and gold is everywhere, from jumpsuits to evening gowns. Black is out, nude is in, so is kingfisher-type blue, named as Palace Blue in Pantone's Spring 2009 Color Report.
• Jackets — Rolled or pushed-up sleeves, especially on jackets and baggy blazers, or kimono sleeves. The Vest jacket gets a new look, from cropped to tunic length; you’ll find this smart but easy look everywhere this spring, including Marc Jacobs and Rag & Bone.
• Jumpsuits and Playsuits — Figure hugging jumpsuits in slinky jersey and metallics and candy stripes and leopard prints.
• Short suits — Not the demure variety, but sexy hotpants styles with matching jackets. Stylish daywear or sporty versions.
• Trousers and Pants — The 7/8th crop length trouser (especially in florals) comes of age this season and cigarette pants are the look of the day. Add some floral printed pants from Henry Holland and DVF or slinky wet-look leggings.
• Dresses — Fall’s medieval hooded dresses from Marc Jacobs transform into Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label North African hooded outfits for spring. There are plenty of peplum waists (not good news for those with a bulging tummy) and spring-like papaya shifts and caftans.
• Lovely in Lace — Last season’s black punk-goth-style lace has been given a softer romantic make-over with Edwardiana dresses from Erdem, in French lace.
• Fashion Accessories — Think sash-like scarf belts and bug-eyed glasses, huge chunky necklaces and chandelier earrings. These are just some of the emerging fashion ex-cessory trends.
papaya

Summary of Spring Colors
A summary of the top Spring 2009 colors to be found in the report are:
The Blue Hues
• Palace Blue — a favorite amongst designers which takes a navy undertone and makes it sparkle. A cross between a sky blue and strong navy. This is a color which works with almost any other, pink, yellow, lavender or green.
• Lavender — the regal purple of fall has been adapted to a softer lighter lilac, feminine and romantic, and slightly mystical.
• Rose Dust — a pale pinky blue, which is a welcome break from traditional neutrals. Almost a white-washed lavender, this is one of the coolest colors.
• Slate Gray — a cool and calming nuanced neutral which provides a backdrop to any of Pantone’s 9 other colors and is a perfect pairing to lavender hues.
The Red Hues
• Fuchsia Red –—Vibrant yet seductive, powerful and robust. Fresh and dazzling, fuchsia features heavily in nail polish and lipsticks too.
• Salmon Rose — Mixing a soft salmon pink with the subtleness of oranges which is flattering to most complexions and gives a warm healthy glow.
The Green Hues
• Vibrant Green — a mossy mid-green which is bright but not harsh
• Dark Citron — a calm, almost olive color which blends perfectly with this season’s lemon tones.
• Lucite Green — a clean, subtle, soft green which adds a slight shimmer
Yellow
• Super Lemon — brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the Palette,” states the Pantone Spring 2009 report. “Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and attract the roving consumer’s eyes.”
Colors and Prints on the Spring Runways
New York Fashion Week and London previewed the emergence of more tropical fruit-like colors such as papaya and mango, with their macaw-esque blues and greens. Emerging spring trends see neutral nudes as strong, and black conspicuously absent from both the shows.
Designers on both sides of the pond also showcased their collections with lively-colored romantic computer generated prints, playful polka dots and the exotic parrot-like prints.

I have to say I like the color list Michelle. They, for the most part are colors I personally like.

I hang out in Alchemy quite a bit. I say the style is what everybody else seems to be buying.

I've seen Many many requests for chunky style jewelry. I'm working with a lady right now who says the pendant is too small if it's 39mm. And it's a faceted citrine! WOW!

One thing I've noticed when shopping at Target, other fashion stores, etc. is a very open, delicate wired look. Large stones balanced with open links, small pendants, lots of swing, and mixed media. Even faceted stones are hand wired and linked together.

"Natural" I guess that means plant based, becuase stones canbe natural, too -- like coconut, acai beads, shell, wood seems like that's out there quite a bit, too.

I like custom work. I don't want to get my whole inventory entailed in what's hot right now. I want to make what people are wanting to buy reight now, and not what some fashion designer big shot says. My store has been incredibly quiet for a long time. To makes ends meet, we have to ask people what they want, then give it to them!

I've seen a lot of 'wood' beads etc when I 'pounce' to see what is selling. Anyone else seen this trend? I remember this from the 80's I think.

There definitely is a trend towards using more "natural" materials - such as wooden beads. I think that it all feeds from the notion of being "green" or ecologically aware. Even the big craftstore chains (AC Moore for example) are a lot more beads made of wood, shell etc.

I've made simple wood and chain earrings and they have been my best seller. Haven't sold very much jewelry on Etsy but I think all but one has been wood earrings.

I know its early yet but I looked up the Fall 09 colors on Pantone and drum roll...American Beauty (True Red), Purple Heart, Honey Yellow, Iron (New Black), Creme Brulee (grayed down beige), Burnt Sienna (earthly orange), Nomad (beige& lt. gray), Rapture Rose (Fuchsia & soft pink), Warm Olive (Yellowy green), Majolica Blue (deep teal w/navy). They have a color chart on their site and suggestions for combining some of the colors.