Pretty in Purple

I recently created a pair of fun earrings using hand painted and antiqued purple brass fans, purple lampwork beads and other colorful components.   Although purple is not my favorite color, it is near the top of the list and always has attracted me, as do the two colors that combine to make purple.  Because of that I curated a new collection, called "Pretty in Purple" to showcase the "purple" work of twelve ArtFire artists, some featured below.

Purple beaded key fob / ID holder bracelet handmade by Mary Beth of TheTwistedRedhead

Many, many people have a passion for the color purple, and I can see why with its oh-so-rich color!  Having read many years ago that purple has always been considered a "royal" color and a "creative" color, I decided to do a bit of research about the color purple.  Here is a bit of what I found:

Purple used to be called "Tyrian purple".  Tyre was an ancient Phoenician seaport (located present day Lebanon) from about 2000 BC through the Roman period.  A purple dye was extracted from a mollusc found on the shores of the city.  Because of the time consuming process used to extract the dye, only the very wealthy could afford fabric dyed "Tyrian purple".   Alexander the Great and the kings of Ptolemaic Egypt all wore Tyrian purple.  The imperial robes of Roman emperors were Tyrian purple trimmed in metallic gold thread and the badge of a Roman Senator was a stripe of Tyrian purple on their white toga.  In present day, because it represent also represents wisdom and valor, the United States awards a Purple Heart to soldiers wounded in battle.    

In color psychology, it is said that if purple or violet is your favorite color, you are sensitive and compassionate, understanding and supportive, thinking of others before yourself.  You are the person others come to for help.  Being needed motivates you but sometimes you allow people to take advantage of you.  You are a gentle and free spirit. With your feeling that run deep, you can be quite sensitive to hurtful comments from others, although you would never show it.

Purple is also the color of spirituality and is often used in meditation.  It is said if you surround yourself with purple, you will have peace of mind, although too much purple can cause moodiness.  It helps us find our power within - not the power that dominates people, but a power rooted in connection to Spirit.  Violet is associated with the seventh or crown chakra, the chakra used to communicate with our spiritual nature.  It is also found quite often in Nature:  orchid, lilac, violet and lavender colored flowers. 

Here are a few more artistic selections from the "Pretty in Purple" collection:

Purple and grey hand crochet stretchy fiber bracelet with sequins handmade by Nancy of jazzitupwithdesignsbynancy

Purple aster 3-D art quilt, wool and painted gauze background, handmade by Jen of  UniquelyJenQuiltCreations