We love COLOR! Industries, like fashion, art, and interior design are built on radiant and wonderful color. Color theory can be the difference between a pleasant style and a LEGENDARY design. Each year, we eagerly anticipate Pantone's Color Of The Year. 2026 is the year of... white. That's right. Pantone has announced Cloud Dancer (white) to be the star of the show. This has ignited heated debates. Is this a misstep? Is white a color? Is this significant politically or culturally? We are going to dive deeper. We will look at the color choice. We will assess opinions of this announcement. And then we will see Cloud Dancer might affect jewelry trends. How can we make Cloud Dancer work as a jewelry designer? We are open to a new adventure. Let's go!
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Cloud Dancer Is The Pantone Color Of The Year 2026
What Is Cloud Dancer?
From Pantone:
Introducing Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.
From Laurie Pressman (Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute):
At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity. The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.
From Laurie Pressman (Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute):
Similar to a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start. Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches. An airy white hue, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape.
Cloud Dancer Beading Supplies - Color Match With Soft Flex Company
At Soft Flex Company, we love to evoke the spirit of Pantone. Our colors might not be a bullseye, but it will align with the palette enough to create a trending jewelry piece! Find fresh Cloud Dancer inspired beads and beading wire on our website. Check out our blog and learn how you can use Soft Flex Wire to color match and create jewelry that will always be on trend! White may seem like a daunting option. But it can make a great accent or foundation.
Check out our wonderful selection of beads. You can browse by color and find something that fits any mood!
Shop our beads! Color match our beautiful beads and wire. Stay fashion forward and make jewelry that is trending using a color palette. Check out our blogs about color and learn how to incorporate it into your creative process!
White Can Be A Stunning Design Choice | Cloud Dancer Enlightenment
First the good news. White plays well with others. It doesn't interrupt. It doesn't showboat. It allows other colors to take the stage or add drama. White was historically considered to be an indicator of wealth. When worn, white needed pampering. It needed to be managed. It needed to be clean. People have not always had the ability to spend time babysitting. Now that we no longer have to deal with white delicately, it is a color option we can all share. But it still looks like a million bucks!
White is a symbol for purity. Which is why it is an apex color choice for weddings. Which is why it is the color of a religious gown. It is seen as a calming color. We see doves as icons of peace as they take wing on white feathers. White is an unwritten page. White is a promising new beginning. White is clarity and enlightenment. White is pristine and untainted. White is an angelic sky, alive with holy watchers.
Cloud Dancer Controversy | What Are People Saying About This Color?
The other side of white is cold. White is stark and unemotional. It is distant and alien. White, in many cultures, is the symbol for death. White is the cloth that binds the mummies in their tombs. White are the walls of a quiet hospital. White is an unfilled void.
The problem with the Cloud Dancer announcement stems from a lot of different angles. For many, they feel this choice is tone deaf. Others see it as a political choice. And others are simply finding it to be a lazy decision on the part of Pantone to pick such a sterile option. People want COLOR in their Color Of The Year.
New York Times advised to get your stain removing supplies in order. Other people have said:
"We can't even afford color."
"I blame AI."
"Is it April already?!?"
"I don't love it."
"The is a color for people that think flour is a spice."
"Tired of gray. Bummer."
Cloud Dancer Cute Winter Jewelry | Snowman Ceramic Beads & Chilly Czech Glass
One wonderful thing about white is it is the perfect choice for the holidays. White is the color of soft falling snow. White are the sparkling icicles that adorn the eaves of snowy cabins. White is the snowy beard of a jolly man. Celebrate in style with Pantone's Cloud Dancer!
Beaded Star Of David Necklace For Hanukkah| Cloud Dancer Color
White, paired with blue, are the colors of a festive home celebrating Hanukkah. White is purity. It is the color of peace and divine light. It complements the blue. These two colors mirror the colors of Israel’s flag. They are also colors found on prayer shawls. Add some radiant Cloud Dancer white to your next holiday craft or design!
Cloud Dancer Jewelry With Our Guardian Angel Beading Kit
Our kits are curated colorways. They are mystery mixes until we reveal them at the end of each month. They are limited in inventory and often sell out quick. Our Guardian Angel jewelry making kit was a mix of Cloud Dancer and sky blue beads. If you love this mix of beads, make sure you look out for our newest kits at the end of each month.
Cloud Dancer Earrings With Two-Hole Piggy Beads
Lovely Cloud Dancer earrings! You can also turn this stunning design into a pendant (see the video below). Add your own color complement or go for the mystical purple that Joyce uses! Learn how to use two-hole piggy beads!
Cloud Dancer Necklace With A Handmade Artisan Clasp
This mix of Cloud Dancer colored beads is sharing space with Iolite drops, beads from our Special Tea Bead Mix, metal, and crystal. Everything works well together in this elegant necklace.
Wire Wrapped Pendant For Cloud Dancer Necklace
Whatever the occasion, you can be sure this necklace design is going to be a stunning centerpiece and draw eyes! Elevate your Cloud Dancer beads with a stunning design.
Cloud Dancer Beaded Chicken Wire Suncatcher
Chicken wire suncatchers are always a hit on social media. They make perfect gifts and look amazing in the sunlight. Be on trend in 2026 and make a suncatcher with Cloud Dancer beads and borders.
Cloud Dancer Cabochon Bezel With Seed Beads
BRRRRR! There is a Cloud Dancer chill in the air. We captured this lovely cabochon with a stunning net of sparkling beads. Bring a little bit of the cold outside to life with a gorgeous pair of earrings or a cute pendant.
Cloud Dancer Rose Cabochon Bezel Pendant
Try something different! For this lovely pendant, we selected a Cloud Dancer collection of beads and used Diamond Glaze to make a bezel shine. A creation like this is truly one of a kind and is really easy to put together.
Cherry Blossom Necklace With Cloud Dancer Beads
March will soon be here and the Sakura will bloom on beautiful cherry tress. Mixing Cloud Dancer colors with tones that evoke the blooming flowers is perfect for a gorgeous spring necklace.
Cloud Dancer POP With Vintage Czech Glass Buttons
Cloud Dancer color buttons really make this design POP! This is a stunning idea for a bracelet. Joyce showed us how to wire wrap her buttons for an amazing but simple design. You do not have to be a wire working pro to learn how to make this.
Macrame Bracelet With Ceramic Beads | Cloud Dancer Style
Macrame is an ancient knotting technique that we have made contemporary. Using Soft Flex Wire, you can make beautiful micro knotted macrame. This will make an amazing bracelet design. Frame your Cloud Dancer beads in a stunning macrame pattern and make everybody jealous of your new jewelry!
Cloud Dancer Jewelry On A Mirrix Loom
Did you know you can use Soft Flex Wire on a loom? Our Cloud Dancer hued White Soft Flex Beading Wire is wonderful for a beaded design.
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Blog contributor Thomas Soles loves Jazz Age writers and crunchy french fries. His favorite gemstones are Lapis and Pietersite. His favorite hobby is day dreaming. And his favorite mustache is Freddie Mercury's. As you can see, he has a healthy (or possibly unhealthy) sense of humor. You can write to him at Thomas@SoftFlexCompany.com