Seeing Red and Feeling Blue

Please don’t be deterred from reading this blog post because of the title.  Yes, I will be writing about being annoyed and also feeling depressed, but please read on because I think you will pleasantly surprised.  My primary aim is to showcase the beautiful red and blue items from the June Jewels daily listing club.  Every day, as I am part of this group, I have the privilege of seeing an array of gorgeous new items that are being popped into shops all over Folksy.  I thought I would share some of them today.  It is only a selection because there are too many of us to include everyone.  I hope you will click on the images, and take time to browse the shops and the stunning items they have for sale.

Seeing Red, whilst primarily associated with being annoyed or irritated, the colour red has many associations - heat, heated emotions, communism, a sign of warning (as in traffic lights), ripeness (in fruit), and blood.  It is widely thought that 'see red' derives from the sport of bull-fighting and the toreador's use of a red cape to deceive the bull.

Red is also the colour that attracts attention. Research has shown that it is the colour most frequently associated with visibility, proximity, and extroverts. It is also the colour most associated with dynamism and activity. In China and many other cultures, red is associated with happiness.  It is also associated with passion and beauty. So whilst seeing red has its negative connotations, it also has its huge positives!

Red is used in modern fashion much as it was used in a medieval painting; to attract the eyes of the viewer to the person who is supposed to be the centre of attention.  I think you will agree many of the red items on display in this selection of handmade items are very eye-catching.

Feeling Blue is associated with depression, low spirits and feeling miserable.  In Greek mythology blue was associated with rain and storms.  The god Zeus would make rain when he was sad (crying) and a storm when he was angry.  The phrase “feeling blue” is also linked with a custom among many deep water sailing ships.   If the ship lost a captain or an officer during the voyage, she would fly blue flags and have a blue band painted along her entire hull when returning to home port.

Whilst traditionally to feel blue or have the blues is associated with depression, a recent article suggests that depression is good for us!  Apparently there is more benefit from having the blues.  Being sad can leave sufferers stronger, better able to cope with life's challenges, and can lead to great achievements. 

“Paul Keedwell, a psychiatrist at Cardiff University, says even full-blown depression may save us from the effects of long-term stress. Without taking time out to reflect 'you might stay in a state of chronic stress until you're exhausted or dead.'”

On a more cheerful note the colour blue is one of my favourite colours and it is often associated with clear sky and deep sea. My personal association is with peace, calm and tranquillity.  There are such gorgeous variations within the colour range including royal blue and turquoise. Who does not have a favourite blue?  Don’t you agree that the blue items on display are fabulous!  Blue in nature is a wondrous sight – don’t you stop and look at blue flowers, blue butterflies or blue birds – there is something very special about them.

I do hope you have enjoyed seeing red and feeling blue and you don’t go away feeling angry or depressed, but uplifted from the beautiful handmade items that you can buy and own. Surely this would lift your spirits everyday just looking at them? 

BFN

Edwina

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:  Handmade by Edwina, Dees Designs, JAusten Jewellery Design, Dottery Pottery, picocrafts, Dottie designs, Silver Spiral, Girl of the Sixties, Bojanglies