Flower of the Month: Violets

Like birthstones, each month of the year has it’s own special flower, dedicated to those born within that month. In February, the official flower is the violet. Violets are common in many North American gardens, and are often given as gifts in indoor planters. Though they come in a variety of colors, the purple violet is the most common.

In addition to being mildly fragrant and very pretty, the petals and leaves of violet plants also have sweet taste, like pea pods. They are often used as garnishes in salads and desserts. These versatile little flowers are a wonderful preview to spring.

As a tribute to February’s flower, here is a selection of wonderful violet inspired items and purple picks from the Oh Canada team. To see even more designs like these, add the tag OhCanadaTeam to your searches on Etsy.com.

Featured Shops:

bomobob, She’s Batty Designs, Bovine Bubbles, bstudio
Piper Deggan Designs, Clara Clips, Joanniel Designs, A Lil’ Horseplay
Organikx, Nancy Wallis Designs, Footprint Designs, Kaleida Eclectics
mireilles, Barefoot Tams Creations, Lucky Lucy Style, Ferozas Jewellery

Copyright 2010 Oh Canada Team and Etsy.com

Stone of the Month: Purple Amethyst

Amethyst - Colorado
Photo Credit: adamantine

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

-from the Gregorian Calendar

The traditional birthstone for the month of February is the beautiful violet amethyst. This gemstone is a form of quartz, which gains its marvelous coloring from iron and aluminum impurities. Amethyst has been valued for the gorgeous purple color for centuries.

In Ancient Greece, the legend of the amethyst origins was attributed to Dionysus, the god of ecstasy, wine, and theatre. There are many different versions of the tale, but most involve a chaste young maiden who could not repel the advances of the randy deity. The hunter goddess, Artemis, helps the girl by transforming her into a white stone. Wine stains from a grief stricken Dionysus turn Amethystos from white to purple.

It is believed that amethysts have the power to protect the wearer from excesses, such as intoxication and other forms of temptation. The Greeks often made wine goblets and ewers from amethyst in the hope that it would reduce the potency of wine. It has also been used to protect from snakes, locusts and insect bites. The amethyst is a symbol of friendship, purity, and good health.

Most amethysts of gem quality are mined in South America and Madagascar. There are also man-made amethysts, which are created in laboratory settings and are very close in quality to nature’s version. Faux glass amethyst rhinestones and beads are manufactured by Swarovski, as well as other bead makers and glass artists.

In honor of February’s birthstone, here is a selection of wonderfully purple creations from the Oh Canada Team. To see even more handmade items in your favorite colors, add the tag “OhCanadaTeam” to your searches on Etsy.com.

Featured Shops:

Tres Belle Knits, Karisma Fine Jewellery, Dee's Adornments, bstudio

Barefoot Tams, A Lil' Horse Play, Woodsmoke Woolworks, Wabi Brook Studio

Stay Awake, Splurge, Genevieve Jodouin, deersprite

Les Bijoux Crealune, Gracie Jewellery, Sassmowth Designs, A Little Bit of Pretty

Created using the Etsy Poster Sketch Tool

Copyright 2010 Oh Canada Team Blog and Etsy.com