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A Bounty of Blues - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

 

The history of blue is very interesting. If you stop and think about it, there is not a lot of natural blue in nature. Most people worldwide do not have blue eyes, blue flowers do not occur without human tinkering, and blue animals are rare -- birds that are blue only live in certain areas. The sky is blue . . . or is it? One interesting theory suggests that before humans had words for the color blue, they actually saw the sky as another color! This theory is supported by the fact that if you never name the color of the sky to a child, and then ask what color it is, he/she will struggle to describe it.  Some describe the sky as colorless and some describe it as white. It seems that only after being told that the sky is blue, and after seeing other blue objects over a period of time, does the sky look blue in their eyes. I wonder now, when I was very young, if I saw the sky as "blue" before or after it was given a color name.  Something to ponder over!

 

Tribal Jewelry African Joruba Krobo Statement Necklace Orange Blue Handmade by Gloria of Chrysalis Tribal Jewelry

 

Additional support for this fascinating theory comes from studies of ancient Greek writings, such as the “Odyssey,” where blue was never mentioned.  Homer used “wine-dark” to describe blue items, such as the sea or sky.  Several African tribes have no word for blue.  In fact, a Nambian tribe lumps the colors of green and blue together.  When shown a set of squares, 11 green ones and 1 blue, members of the tribe could not pick out the blue square from the green squares. The theory suggests that since there was no word for the color blue, early humans did not notice it.

 

 

Women's Country Blue Slipper Socks Caron Simply Soft Lace Ties Handmade by Nancy of Jazz it Up with Designs by Nancy

 

The color we call blue has been used for art, decoration and as a clothing dye since ancient times, although intircate and often brightly colors cave paintings from 20,000 years ago lack any blue color.  It wasn’t until the lapis lazuli mined in Afghanistan became highly prized by the ancient Egyptians that the first word for “blue” was documented, about 6000 years ago.  Some lapis was set into jewelry and other ornamentation and some was pulverized and combined with other chemicals to make other saturated blue colors that the Egyptians became so fond of.  

 

 

Opaque Dark Lapis Cobalt Blue Lampwork Glass Beads Handmade by Charlotte of Covergirlbeads

 

Beginning in the 9th century, Chinese artists used cobalt to create fine blue and white porcelain.  In the Middle Ages (c. 500-1500), cobalt blue colored many stained glass windows of cathedrals.  Blue dyes for clothing were made from woad in Europe and from indigo in Asia and Africa. Later during the Renaissance (c. 1300-1700 AD), lapis was used to make the pigment ultramarine, the most expensive and highly valued of all pigments.  In 1828 a synthetic ultramarine pigment was developed, and synthetic blue dyes and pigments gradually replaced mineral pigments and vegetable dyes.

 

 

Colorful Copper Blue Aztec Flower Component, 1 Pair, Handmade by Kristi of KristiBowmanDesign

 

Surveys in the United States and Europe show that blue is the color that is most commonly associated with harmony, faithfulness, the imagination, and infinity.  It is also associated with distance, cold and, sometimes, sadness.  Overwhelmingly, it is the most popular color in the U.S. and Europe, chosen by almost half of both men and women.  You will see why that’s the case when you look at the handmade artisan pieces that I'm sharing in this blog, A Bounty of Blues.  

 

 

Blue Dress Form Novelty Pincushion Handmade by Jacki of Christie Cottage 

 

 

Lapis Lazuli Earrings with Bold Copper Wire Work Handmade by Pamela of Pebbles at My Feet 

 

 

Blue Mermaid Original Watercolor Painted Postcard for Friendship by Jeanne of Jeanne Fry Art 

 

 

Blue Ombre Flower Bracelet Textured Brass Lampwork Glass Flower Beads Handmade by Linda of Linda Landig Jewelry

 

 

North Star Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant with Cubic Zirconia Handmade by Jo of Umeboshi Jewelry Designs

 

 

Blue Patriotic Paisley Dog Bandana, Scrunchie Style Handmade by Donna of SewAmazin

 

 

Petroglyph Running Horse Necklace, Bone Blue Sodalite Beaded Pendant Jewelry Handmade by Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs

 

I hope you enjoyed these selections!  If you would like to make my day and the day of the artists featured, please leave a comment.  And any promotion you can do will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

 

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Beautifully Unique Handmade Jewelry

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Comments

Blue

Thank you for filling in some of the fascinating history of the color blue that I did not know. While part of the minority whose favorite color is not blue, I find that using blue adds depth to my designs so I use it often. As always, I enjoy all of your selections and I appreciated being included.

Blue

I always learn new things from your blog posts, Catherine. Thanks for including my

Its time for the blues!

Everything seems to be pointing to blue as the color to love! I have no problem with this because these blues prove it!
Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful handmade finds!

Thanks again for an

Thanks again for an informative and beautifully illustrated Wonderful Handmade Wednesday post, Catherine. These blue handmade selections are fabulous. Thanks for including my lapis lazuli earrings.

Thanks Catherine!

Tweeted all items individually and will tweet the post too

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Beautiful Blues!

My favorite color! Thank you for including my patriotic paisley bandana in this week's blog post! Pinned and shared :-)

Love love love !

Love love love !

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