Amber is the common name for translucent fossilized tree resin that is appreciated for its inherent beauty. It belongs to a group of gemstones of plant and animal origin, that were formed by living organisms, as well as copal, jet, ivory, bone, antler, horn, rhino horn, tortoiseshell, pearl, shell, coral, and many other less recognized materials. Amber comes in many colors, including yellow, reddish, greenish, whitish, black, and blue. Most of the world's amber is in the range of 30-90 million years old. Heating amber will soften it and eventually it will burn, which is why in Germanic languages the word for amber is a literal translation of BURN-STONE (In German it is Bernstein, in Dutch it is Barnsteen etc.). The Greek name for amber was ELECTRON because of its electrostatic properties and was connected to the Sun God.

The resin contains, in addition to the beautifully preserved plant-structures, numerous remains of insects, spiders, annelids, frogs, crustaceans and other small organisms which became enveloped while the exudation was fluid. Even hair and feathers have occasionally been represented among the enclosures. The occurrence of insects inside amber was duly noticed by the Romans and led them to the correct theory that at some point, amber had to be in a liquid state to cover the bodies of insects.

Home to the largest known deposit of amber is the Baltic region, about 90% of the world's extractable amber is located in the Kaliningrad region of Russia on the Baltic Sea. Pieces of amber torn from the seafloor are cast up by the waves, and collected at ebb-tide. Sometimes the searchers wade into the sea, furnished with nets at the end of long poles, which they drag in the sea-weed containing entangled masses of amber; or they dredge from boats in shallow water and rake up amber from between the boulders. A lesser known sources of amber are in the Ukraine, on the east coast of England, on the Mediterranean and on the Adriatic, in Netherlands, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Mexico, in the United States and in Indonesia.

Amber was much valued as an ornamental material in very early times. It has been found in Mycenaean tombs; it is known from lake-dwellings in Switzerland, and it occurs with Neolithic remains in Denmark, whilst in England it is found with interments of the bronze age. A remarkably fine cup turned in amber from a bronze-age barrow at Hove is now in the Brighton Museum. Beads of amber occur with Anglo-Saxon relics in the south of England; and up to a comparatively recent period the material was valued as an amulet. It is still believed to possess a certain medicinal virtue. The world well known Amber Room in Russia was a collection of chamber wall panels commissioned in 1701 for the King of Prussia, and then given to Tsar Peter the Great. The room was hidden in the Catherine Palace from invading Nazi forces in 1941, who upon finding it in the palace, disassembled it and moved it to Konigsberg. What happened to the room beyond this point is unclear. Amber Room is presumed lost, but it was successfully re-created in 2003.

Born and raised in Singapore and now living in the USA, silver jewelry artist Aden Angier started designing full time about seven years ago. Prior to that, she designed jewelry part time, catering to customers who were interested in handcrafted ensembles and coordinated looks for bridal parties, and also, customers who enjoyed wearing unique designs with considerable artistic flair.

Of her signature style, Aden says, "Design wise, I firmly believe every piece of jewelry must have a single, striking focal point. This philosophy translates into jewelry designs that are perfectly functional, down to earth, and easy to wear and coordinate with a variety of fashion styles. Simply put, my designs are easily adaptable and can be worn uptown or downtown. My design elements are influenced by Southeast Asian cultures, I strive to make my jewelry cosmopolitan, contemporary, and vintage at the same time, yet with a distinctive Southeast Asian feel.

My designs are visually tactile, without the need to ever resorting to oxidation to achieve a dimensional effect. Every piece is carefully thought out and executed to achieve the effect and designed to look just as good when they are brand new and shiny or gradually and naturally aged over time. My wire working and soldering efforts has given me a wonderful opportunity to develop the visual aspect even more."

Have a look at the beautiful one-of-a kind Aden Angier's silver jewelry. To see more and buy silver jewelry by Aden Angier, visit her website at www.adenangier.com or Etsy shop at www.adenangier.etsy.com.

Today we tell you about two beading artists, who makes sculptures of animals using beads. Olga Kusheleva was born, grew up and lived for a long time in the city of Grozniy, Caucasia, Russia; in 1991 Olga, together with her husband and their two sons moved to Jerusalem, Israel. Since her childhood, she has always been busy with creative artistic work, her hobbies were drawing, sewing, knitting, embroidering and so on. A few years ago she got some problems with one of her arms; Olga was told that she needed surgery. That was when she decided to exercise her arm by sculpturing on wire using beads. In a year she felt much better and her doctor said, that there was no need for surgery! Today Olga still makes her beautiful sculptures of animals, trees and flowers, that became her new passion. You can contact Olga at olgakushelev@gmail.com, here is her public gallery.

Elena Krugova lives in a small town of Mendeleevo, Moscow region, Russia. She has a PhD in mathematics and spends most of her leisure time with beads. Beading has been Elena's hobby for 25 years, since she was 11. She doesn't have any preferences, but her last work were sculptured on wire three-dimensional animals and toys. She says, that she has never been taught how to bead, and that sometimes she takes some ideas from mathematics. You will notice that influence, if you visit our small gallery of Elena's beadwork. In addition to that, we would like to tell you that Elena makes her beautiful sculptures just for pleasure, not with a commercial purpose. Way to go, Elena!

If you are interested in beadwork of Olga Kusheleva and Elena Krugova, you may contact us at info@mylovelybeads.com.

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals

December 7, 8, 9, 2007
Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Virginia

Juried Fine Art & Craft Festivals since 1976. Find the unique handcrafted artwork of thousands of American Artists! Decorative creations for home & garden, exceptional fine art & designer crafts!

International Gem & Jewelry Show

December 14, 15, 16, 2007
Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Virginia

The International Gem & Jewelry Show offers the greatest selection and lowest prices on diamonds, gold, silver, beads, and more. Choose either costume or fine jewelry from more than 360 exhibitors from around the world.