I thought it might be useful to start a sticky so that we can post any colour combos that really work. I know some newbies have been struggling with this so maybe this will help get you started with some tried and tested combos.
Here's my top combo - CIM dirty martini and Reichenbach antique clear (preferably etched!)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3188072064_4b88bd0e97.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/3188072064/)
Beads Jan 2009 209 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/3188072064/) by Kaz ~ CheekyCherubDesigns (http://www.flickr.com/people/cheekycherubdesigns/), on Flickr
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2865675495_cfdc99b15d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/2865675495/)
IMG_6811 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheekycherubdesigns/2865675495/) by Kaz ~ CheekyCherubDesigns (http://www.flickr.com/people/cheekycherubdesigns/), on Flickr
Kazx
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3638894269_1aa22f7469.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glitteringprize/3638894269/)
seduction 021 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glitteringprize/3638894269/) by Glittering Prize - Trudi (http://www.flickr.com/people/glitteringprize/), on Flickr
Lt Amber 008 and Rubino!
effetre cool kiwi and CIM lapis, loverly :)
the usual variations on block colour wheel shades are a good way to go if you are stuck...blue meets orange/brown, yellow/citrus meets purple etc. be careful with green meets red though, until we get to december! :D
http://blog.glassbysarah.com/2008/12/10/sarahs-12-favorite-color-schemes--and-why-they-work.aspx (http://blog.glassbysarah.com/2008/12/10/sarahs-12-favorite-color-schemes--and-why-they-work.aspx)
this really helped me when I was starting out, its $10 well spent!
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4636605034_7e90192119.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glitteringprize/4636605034/)
Daphne's Bloom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/glitteringprize/4636605034/) by Glittering Prize - Trudi (http://www.flickr.com/people/glitteringprize/), on Flickr
CiM Mojito with pinks and black!
Dark turquoise and pink work well:
(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu26/veebeads/Beads%202010/frit2Comp.jpg)
(http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu26/veebeads/Beads%202010/otherComp.jpg)
Effetre lime green and Rubino Oro
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4608103827_df92483b77_m.jpg)
i just love Rubino, im not sure i've found a colour i dont like it with (except ivory, when it just goes to poo)
effetre purple red and white. Really crisp together.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4995758926_a0f3e11e2f.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kays-beads/4995758926/)
LoveActually (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kays-beads/4995758926/) by Kays Beads (http://www.flickr.com/people/kays-beads/), on Flickr
My easy standby is black, white plus one other intense colour.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4330143950_82d96045ba_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/4330143950/)
Blackcurrant! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/4330143950/) by HelenPetersBeads (http://www.flickr.com/people/helenpetersbeads/), on Flickr
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/5078044723_b5a593cccb_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/5078044723/)
FH newbie challenge beads (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/5078044723/) by HelenPetersBeads (http://www.flickr.com/people/helenpetersbeads/), on Flickr
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5078641230_c3c9e7ff1d_m.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/5078641230/)
FH newbie challenge beads (http://www.flickr.com/photos/helenpetersbeads/5078641230/) by HelenPetersBeads (http://www.flickr.com/people/helenpetersbeads/), on Flickr
I'll answer...yep, most shades, amethysts or violets, opaque or transparent, I've been using poi and mermaid, but petrol green and op. violet work just as well,
poi, mermaid, trans. med amethyst , light teal trans
(http://madelinebunyan.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/dscf0156adjsm.jpg?w=490&h=400)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/5126368420_7c2686718d.jpg) I love Light Turquoise and Orange! vibrant!! ;D