I definitely will.

Orange-ish/red or even a pale salmon pink. Depending on the kind of poppy, they can also be lavender and crimson, probably other colors as well. I have had a few poppy patches and they had this variety of colors. Hope that give you more wiggle room on colors.

I can't work with pink. I hate pink and most blues.

But I may do some more digging thru my stash to see what else I can conjure up.

It's best to have as many options as possible, and best when you already have the supplies on hand.

she's the only one of her kind I've seen, and I want to make sure she's as beautiful as possible. This is probably why I've been sitting on this piece for 5 years.

Some of the projects I've been working on the past couple years have been moved around for years while I was getting all the components collected. Finally I have been working them.

I'm sure you'll come up with a fabulous color scheme.

I'm just thankful to have such an old and gorgeous piece that escaped silver or gold plating. I would never touch that patina. I've only cleaned her up (hence the dirty fingernails) and sealed her with Renaissance Wax to help preserve her as she is.

Just working over the color scheme of the beads to decide which color best accentuates her natural beauty.

After all, I'm not a barbarian!

I think they really make her look even more beautiful.

Appreciate your input!

And poppies are more red with a hint of oange.

I just fear anything too bold will draw attention away from her. I think the aqua lets her shine through.

I think the muted aquas really let her shine through, where as something in the red pallet would draw attention away from her beauty.

Appreciate the input!

I'd go with the colors of water.

She's a beauty.

And I think that's what made me reach for the aqua colors first, but on closer inspection, the poppies are pretty prominent. However, the ancathus leaves do look like a tail. So, I guess she's both, then.

Thank you, Bayard!

Based on bayard's comment, I've decided that she is a mermaid and the aqua is appropriate. So aqua it will be. Thanks to everyone who offered their opinions and advice.