Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Pink is Not Just for Little Girls

The use of the color pink to signify a baby girl was not even a color choice for babies until just around World War I, which is just about 1914 for those who hate history.

Until that time, children wore white cotton dresses until about the age of 5 or 6, yes, boys AND girls were dressed in white dresses. The cotton bleached well, so it was always clean and no one had the time or energy to fool with different clothing colors for different genders. Additionally, the color pink was relegated to boys because it was a bolder color and the blues for the dainty girls.  My, how things changed.

The color pink is a derivative of red and as we know, red is a strong and dominant color. A simple dash of white brings the color down to a much lesser color, but does not relieve that drama associated with red. Pinks are for those who have a bold streak in them and are not afraid to show it off. Think Lady Gaga.

Pinks can also have a hint of blue in them to get an even bolder color bordering on the magenta side. This hot pink was a proud contributor to the clothing and styles of the 60s. Again, think Lady Gaga who has been stuck in a time warp since time eternal.

When muted and soft, like pastels, pink is the color of romance and love. It is displayed in spring collections and Easter bonnets. It shows up in ribbons and bows and ballet slippers. It is dreamy and associated with little girls, which connotes innocence. It is the color of fairies and all things cute.

Pink is also used in the symbol for the breast cancer fight.

Pink is the color used by the Roman Catholic Church to signify joy and happiness. The Buddhists consider pink the fourth primary energy center.

Pink alone is not uncommon. It is an independent color that can stand by itself and create a mood. When pink is coupled with other colors, it can become quite dramatic. Pink and black are a common pair and they look stunning together. This is one way to pair two dominant colors without mishap, since pink is muted. Pink with blue are equally pretty, but lack the dramatic appearance that black plays with the color pink.

Pink pairs well with green since they are opposite on the color wheel. A hot pink and a lime green make a wonderful retro color combination. Pinks work with purples since they are side by side on the wheel, it takes a little blue and a little red to get to a purple, and when they paired, they are a continuation of the primary colors. Add white for springtime floral arrangements.

The more colors added to a red, the more the mood of the pink changes. You can have a salmon, rose, peach, wine, fuchsia or coral pinks that all make wonderful accent colors. Pink works with all metals as well. It is warm, but not hot, it is comfortable and not overwhelming and it softens a design.

Feminine and pretty, pink works for big and little girls. Youthful and fun, pink brings out the playful side of everyone. Everyone knows the best cotton candy is pink!

These designers knew how to incorporate pink into their designs to bring out the best in the pink.

KevsKrafts

Wood Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Ornament Handcrafted Cedar

SolanaKaiDesigns

Swarovski Crystal, Handmade Polymer Clay Beads, Pewter Charm Earrings

Creationsbyfrannie

Personalized Love and Marriage 1224 Keepsake

carolesjackets

Sweatshirt jacket: pink with irises embroidery. Sizes S-XL.

Uniquelyhandmade

Childrens Name Banner Custom Wall Decor Pink Horse with Blue Red Plaid

ResetarGlassArt

Fused Glass Pendant, Pink Zebra Pattern Dichroic on Royal Blue Base

TheOldBarnDoor

Victorian Swedish Scripture Card Romans 6:23 Pink Rose

evezbeadz

Sweet Treats Pink Cheshire Cat Jade Necklace OOAK

Thefamilyjoolz

Pink Pearls and Lace Necklace

Thesingingbeader

Short small 14 inch choker rose pink white beaded opalite Czech

FrozenFairytale

Chandelier mixed media polymer, metal and stone earrings.

postcardsintheattic

Antique Postcard - Pink Real Photo RPPC Couple - Romantic - Romance - Paris - Early 1909

ShadowDogDesigns

Pink Green Candy Jade Aventurine Sterling Silver Earrings Handmade

Umeboshi

Oblong Color Shifting Handmade Dichroic Glass Jewelry Earrings w Gold

PrettyGonzo

Pink and Blue Necklace, Flower Beads, Freshwater Pearls, Rhodonite

berkshirebowls

Unicorn Puzzle in Pink Standing Puzzle

clemmievtotesandbags

Playful and Practical, all in one anything bag.

Covergirlbeads

Pink Flower Bead Ivory Handmade Lampwork Glass Lentil Floral Vines SRA

specialtivity

7 inch Cotton Candy Pink Flat Spiral Stitch bracelet

ThaddeusRose

Citrine Glass Bead Dangle Earrings Bead Caps Pink Brown Pale Yellow

 

KatsAllThat

Papaya Freshwater Pearl and Pink Lace Agate Donut Pendant Necklace

jnldesigns

Chunky Black and Pink Interchangeable Watch Band

bluemorningexpressions

Handmade Polymer Clay Bead Necklace Purple Pink Blue Pearl Mosaic

PolkadotOrchid

    Custom Embroidered Pink and Purple Baby Snap Shirt Protagonist Series

    ninascorner

    Handmade Crocheted Pony Stuffed Animal Toy

    PamelaBead

    Baby Pink and Blue Stretch Bracelet

    DesertCreations

    Pink and Black Spotted Rhodonite Stone Beaded Silver Wire Wrapped Ring

    KKMaries

    Polka Dot Mother Daughter Wood Tile Pendant Set

    dianesdangles

    Rose Quartz and Pink Cats Eye Chandelier Silver Dangle Earrings

    craftsofthepast

    Antique Venetian Wedding Cake Bead Necklace Old Bakelite Sea Coral

     

    When you want to soften a mood, always take pink into consideration.

    These designers are also featured on Mother’s Day Countdown Week 4 with many other gift ideas for mom. Please stop by and visit their studios for more beautiful art.

    Enjoy

    Julie and Blu

    24 comments:

    1. Awesomeness in Pink! This is a wonderful collection of pinks in your Mother Day Countdown Week 4. Love them all!

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    2. Julie,
      You couldn't have featured a better collection with the color pink. I was interested to read about the history of the color pink. Additionally, studies have shown pink decreases violent moods and enhances relaxation, thus, many prison cells have pink as a primary color in the cell. I find that to be interesting. all in All, I would rather wear pink than any other color. Like orange and yellow, pink is a happy color. Paired with pink pearls and lace, you have the best of all worlds. I love the whole collection. I can't wait to tweet. thank you for including me!
      Juliet
      TheFamilyJoolz

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    3. Thanks so much for including my pink unicorn. It was a great puzzle to make and kids of all ages and sexes love the idea of unicorns. I am thrilled to have my puzzle in your collection of pinks. thanks so much.
      Bershirebowls

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    4. What a FUN post, Julie and Blu - so many different pinks in this post and fab history (yes, I like history)! Personally, since I have never been a fan of soft pink, I have a hard time designing with it. So I'm pleased you chose the pink and green candy jade earrings (my grandmothers fav color combo). But give me hot pink or fuchsia - then watch out! Unfortunately, not too many stones can be found in those colors ): LOL! Off to promote. Thanks again!!!

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    5. Great blog post. Love all the different shades of pink and the different items they were in. Pink is not my first color choice but this blog has my thinking twice. LOL. Thank you for adding my pink pony.

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    6. Thank you for featuring my pink and gold chandelier earrings. This is just like a treasury, but on blog. Such a wonderful display of pink items :)
      FrozenFairytale

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    7. I have always liked the color pink, whether it's jewelry, clothing, flowers, really anything pink. I sure enjoyed reading the history of the color, Julie and Blu. Really great! Thank you very much for including my pink and white choker! - Connie - The Singing Beader

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    8. Happy to be included in this Countdown Blog. Some wonderful gift ideas here, to be sure. And what mother does not like that glow of baby pink skin ;)
      Anna

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    9. Excellent post, Julie! Thank you for incluing my earrings. Sharing...

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    10. Such a wonderful post Julie, what a fantastic treat to scroll down the page and see each and every yummy creation featuring the colour pink! Love it!! Thank you for including my bracelet!!

      Sharing now.

      Kathy :)

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    11. Fantastic blog post Julie, thank you so much for including my ring. :)

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    12. What a great post, interesting article, thank you for including my rose quartz silver earrings in this lovely feature. Off to share.

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    13. These are truly great discoveries in pink! I lusted over these beautiful items that you have posted here! I love all the combinations and contrasts that show pink in all of it's moods. Great Blog! Thanks for inviting my dichroic glass black and pink earrings into this group. -Jo

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    14. Did you know that the word 'pink' as a color ultimately comes from the sewing term?

      Pink flowers (Dianthus sp.) all have little zig-zag cut edges on the blooms, so they were called 'pinks' because it looked like the edges had been pinked by pinking shears. Most of these flowers were a certain color, so the flower became associated with the color. At this point, the association is so strong, that many people don't know the flower (except as a smaller version of a carnation) or the sewing technique the flowers were named after.

      It would be a bit like knowing the color 'lavender', 'lilac', 'rose', or 'violet', without ever knowing the flower.

      I love all of the pink items here! Thank you for this wonderful blog post!

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    15. So pretty and what a lovely tribute to the color pink! Love it and thank you so much!

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    16. This is such a very pretty collection - and an interesting article! Thanks so much, Julie and Blu, for including my necklace with all these beauties. :) Now, off to tweet ...

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    17. Awesome Pink collection! Thank you for including my Pink Pony name banner. Very interesting to learn from PolkaDot Orchid about the origin of Pink.
      Karen
      UniquelyHandmade

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    18. Thanks again for another wonderful collection. I learned so much about Pink by reading the interesting facts you provided. I appreciate you including my pendant and will share...

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    19. What a great tribute to the color pink! It is a color I have always loved in every shade. Pretty selections too. The pink lace and pearl necklace is wonderful!!!

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    20. Loving me some Pink. What a beautiful and interesting collection. Thank you for including my Pasley Design anything bag.Clemmie V's

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    21. Thank you Julie and Blu....beautiful pink blog,like always.
      Thanks for including our pink and black watch band. We. Girls no matter how old will always love Pink.
      JNL Designs, Linda. Off to share!

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    22. Beautiful collection of pink mothers day gift ideas. Thank you very much for including my cancer awareness ribbon.

      I figure you must not sleep in order to do all of these collections etc. I feeling like I just get the items promoted and it's time for the next weeks posting already, LOL...Thank you so very much for the time and effort you put into doing these countdowns.

      Kev

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    23. Powder pink in sweet! Will pin and post! Thx for including me ~ sorry it has taken so long to get back, I got hit hard with a second wave of pnemonia killing soldiers. Blah! EvezBeadz.

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    24. Julie, I agree with Kev, you must not sleep. What a powerhouse! Thank you for a great read, for including my earrings, and for everything you do. And I also enjoyed reading the comments from everyone! Off to share!

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