August, 2007

My Lovely Beads, e-Newsletter

From MyLovelyBeads.com Team

In the third issue of our MyLovelyBeads.com newsletter:

If you have any questions or suggestions please contact us at info@mylovelybeads.com.
Best regards,
MyLovelyBeads.com Team

Stone of August: JADE

Stone of August:
JADE


Balances male/female energies. Stone of protection, provides barrier against attacks and illness. Encourages meditative travel. Helps in making the dream process productive and healing. Zodiac signs: Libra (Balance), Capricorn (Seagoat), Aries (Ram), Gemini (Twins).

More Info

Jade - nephrite and jadeitite

Jade dragon, Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-9 AD) Jade is an ornamental stone, that is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different silicate minerals: nephrite jade and jadeitite. Nephrite can be found in a creamy white form as well as in a variety of green colors, whereas jadeitite shows more color variations, including dazzling blue, lavender-mauve, violet, emerald-green, orange, yellow, pink, brown, and black colors.

The English word "jade" is derived from the Spanish term PIEDRA DE IJADA (first recorded in 1565) or "loin stone", from its reputed efficacy in curing ailments of the loins and kidneys. "Nephrite" is derived from LAPIS NEPHRITICUS, the Latin version of the Spanish PIEDRA DE IJADA.

Nephrite and jadeite were used by people from the prehistoric for similar purposes. Both are about the same hardness as quartz, and they are exceptionally tough. They are beautifully colored and can be delicately shaped. Only in the 19th century it was determined that "jade" was in fact two different materials. Among the earliest known jade artifacts excavated from prehistoric sites are simple ornaments such as rounded beads, buttons, and tubular jades. Additionally, jade was used for axe heads, knives, and other weapons. As metal-working technologies became available, the beauty of jade made it valuable for ornaments and decorative objects.

A Mayan mask, made of jade Of the two, jadeite is rarer, documented in fewer than 12 places worldwide. Translucent emerald-green jadeitite is the most prized variety, both now and historically. As "quetzal" jade, bright green jadeitite from Guatemala was treasured by Mesoamerican cultures, and as "kingfisher" jade, vivid green rocks from Burma became the preferred stone of post-1800 Chinese imperial scholars and rulers. Burma (Myanmar) and Guatemala are the principal sources of modern gem jadeitite, and Canada of modern lapidary nephrite. Nephrite jade was used mostly in pre-1800 China as well as in New Zealand, the Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coasts of North America, Neolithic Europe, and south-east Asia. In addition to Mesoamerica, jadeitite was used by Neolithic Japanese and European cultures.

Jade is the official gemstone of British Columbia, Canada, where it is found in large deposits in the Lillooet and Cassiar regions. It is also the official gemstone of the state of Alaska, found particularly in the Kobuk area. A two ton block of jade sits outside the Anchorage Visitor's Center in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, mined from near Kobuk and donated to the city as a showpiece.

Custom ordering on MyLovelyBeads.com

Necklace "Blossom" Necklace "Nostalgia" Necklace "Venice" Necklace "Autumn Dream"

If you have looked through the site and have not found that perfectly glorious MyLovelyBeads.com design for an upcoming event, or to go with your favorite outfit, place a custom order to discuss your needs with us. We love to design for specific individuals, incorporating their energy and personality into the piece. Many of the spectacular pieces you can see on the site are the result of a custom order that undoubtedly inspired a higher level of creativity. There are just a few steps to place a custom order:

• You can choose any of our fine objects as a prototype by clicking the "C" custom order link next to an item picture. Your choice will be saved and you will be redirected to the custom order page.

• "For Custom Order" menu item on the left side will return you a list of all our fine objects that's already sold, but they and their design can be used for your custom order.

• Fill in the form and submit. Tell us any changes you would like us to make, such as item size, beads size and type, color palette, clasp, stones and other materials.

• We will assign a number to your order, and send you a confirmation email with the order number and estimate price. All order details may be discussed. Email is the best way to contact us.

• Please allow us up to 10 days to create your order. We let you know when the item is completed, and will send you an email with detailed pictures. After your approval, we will send you an invoice.

• In addition, we will accept custom orders from your own pattern and design, even from your stones and materials: enter "my own" in the subject form field, and give us a brief description of your desired item.

American Indian beadwork

Tatiana Van Iten Beadart When we say the words, American Indian beadwork, we immediately imagine colorful seed bead embroidery on buckskin shirts and dresses, bandoleer bags and moccasins, necklaces and amulets, or loom-beaded belts. The techniques used for beadwork are pretty simple and have not changed for centuries, and the most common techniques are bead embroidery, loomwork and beadnetting. Many tribal designs are unique and easily recognizable. But do we understand the meaning of the intricate patterns which Indian people use in their creations?

         Read the article about American Indian beadwork written
         by Tatiana Van Iten on MyLovelyBeads.com in September.

Meanwhile we would like to introduce the author of this article. Tatiana Van Iten, American beadwork designer and First Prize Winner of many beading competitions, was born and raised in Russia, where she graduated from the Leningrad State University with a Master of Arts degree in photojournalism. Twenty two years ago she married an American citizen and moved to the United States. Tatiana learned how to bead from her grandmother, at the age of six (!!!), and has been beading ever since then. She is very fond of native Americans' beadwork and created a lot of art items in this style.

Do you know?

BIRTHSTONES

There is a plenty of sources about birthstones; some people consider Modern Birthstones, some - Hebrew, Roman, Arabic, and Hindu Birthstones. On MyLovelyBeads.com we use updated version of Modern Birthstones chart, and we do not pretend on the whole truth !

January:     Garnet, Ruby
February:     Amethyst, Topaz
March:     Aquamarine, Bloodstone
April:     Clear Quartz, Diamond
May:     Malachite, Emerald
June:     Pearl, Moonstone
July:     Carnelian, Ruby
August:     Peridot, Jade
September:     Lapis lazuli, Sapphire
October:     Opal, Tourmaline
November:     Amber, Citrine, Yellow Topaz
December:     Turquoise, Blue Topaz

Featured artist

Beaded tree In general, beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads to one another or to cloth using a needle and thread. Most beadwork takes the form of jewelry or other personal adornment, but beads are also used in wall hangings and sculpture. Some designers even create decorations like small trees, flowers, and animals using beads.

We would like you to meet two designers specializing in beaded trees. Marina Ne lives in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with her husband and her daughter. Marina's apartment in Tashkent is like a garden even in winter: bunches of flowers and trees made from beads are everywhere! Once she decided to make fun and created a beaded "money-tree". Isn't it funny?

Olga Goretskaya is a business analyst, she lives in Minsk, Belorussia. A few years ago she made a beaded tree for the good of her soul, she liked what she did, and since then she created the whole collection of such sculptures. Olga developes the entire compositions using seed beads, adding to the trees beaded critters, small birds, and flowers.

If you are interested in Marina Ne's or Olga Goretskaya's beadwork, please contact us at any time at info@mylovelybeads.com.

Casual remark - art or craft?

A great beadwork expert, David Dean, once said, "Beadwork, like all art, is a mental process. The difference between the work being craft or art is how much the creators of such work are willing to give of themselves. Beadwork can be a craft of the mind or an art of the soul." No one has put the matter better than this.

Upcoming events

5th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts 5th Annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts

September 8-9, 2007
         Saturday 10 am - 7 pm
         Sunday 10 am - 5 pm
King Street between Union & Washington sts., Alexandria, VA

Alexandria Festival of the Arts is voted one of the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine. More than $15 million in art will be on display! More than 200 juried artists display and sell fine art ranging from paintings, sculpture, prints and photography to pottery, glass, jewelry and ceramics. The show is set up along King Street in Old Town Alexandria, a quaint, historic town with many different shops, restaurants and more. The show stretches all the way down the street to the Potomac River.

12th Annual Art on the Avenue Festival 12th Annual Art on the Avenue Festival

Saturday October 6th, 2007 10 am - 6 pm
Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA

12th Annual Multi-Cultural Arts, Crafts & Music Festival, Art on the Avenue celebrates community diversity though the arts in the Potomac West area of Alexandria, Virginia.

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