September, 2013

My Lovely Beads, e-Newsletter

Meet the golden autumn!

Once the writer Emily Bronte said, "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." Happy Autumn! Read in September issue:

Contact us with any questions at info@mylovelybeads.com.
Best regards, MyLovelyBeads.com Team

Stone of October: LAPIS LAZULI

Stone of September:
LAPIS LAZULI


Stone for acquiring wisdom, esoteric knowledge. Connection between the physical and celestial. Awareness, attunement, intuition and psychic ability. Stone of protection. Zodiac signs: Sagittarius (Archer).

More Info

Sugilite - Japanese discovery

Sugilite is a relatively rare mineral from the group of silicates. It's rarely found in the form of prismatic crystals, often in the form of irregular grains, solid aggregates and dense opaque mass. Sugilite color varies from light tan, pink and purple to bright magenta, purple and red-purple. Sugilite has a well-marked pleochroism (ability to detect different colors in the light passing through them), some of the samples observed dichroism in the form of "Alexandrite" color effect (changes color depending on the light).

Sugilite derived its name in honor of Ken-ichi Sugi (1901-1948), Japanese petrologist, who first described the mineral found on the island Ivagi (Japan) in 1944. Nevertheless, sugilite was officially recognized as a new mineral in 1976 after the discovery of its large samples in the north of South Africa, at Wessels manganese mine. South African sugilite has a bright purple-violet or lilac color saturated; the gem has been known in the international jewelry market since 1979.

Except Japan and South Africa, sugilite also found in the province of Quebec (Canada), in the Tien Shan (Tajikistan) and some other places: Italy, Wales, Australia and India. It's believed that sugilite is one of the most useful stone for those looking for true love and does not want to settle for relations based on a calculation or carnal passion. Sugilite broadens the mind of the owner, gives him the respect for cultural values and learning to be kind, forgiving and patient.

Translucent sugilite of deep rich tones with no cracks and inclusions is used in jewelry. Individual crystals and translucent sections of massive aggregates are sometimes subjected to cutting. The Smithsonian Museum (Washington, DC, USA) presents a faceted sugilite weighing 23.5 carats.

Usually sugilite for various jewelry (necklaces, rings, earrings, pendants, etc.) is processed in the form of a cabochon. Massive opaque sugilite is used to make bowls, figurines, beads, used in mosaics with other stones. The volume of production of this mineral is small and the largest of its deposits are almost worked out, so the price of jewelry with sugilite is steadily rising on the jewelry market, and glass and other simulations is increasing.

Fashion Colorworks. Interview with Irina Sidina

Irina Sidina - the author of Spring Freshness Necklace
Third Place Winner in Seed Bead Jewelry category

I was born and raised in Balakovo, Saratov region, a small town on the Volga river. Since I can remember, my friends and I have created something all the time: we've embroidered, sculpted, drew, glued something, made "jewelry" from postcards. Then I was an art school, college and university where I unfinished my major "Folk Art". I've worked for a while for the advertising company, and for already 16 years I have been doing things I love - I do puppets in our city puppet theater.

1. How did you start beading ?

Once, when a friend of mine and I set up an exhibition of dolls we decided to invite for participation our friend, which, as we knew, has been beading. And then there was a shock with me! How? Where have my eyes been all that time? Why didn't I take beads seriously? In general, I fell in love with beads once and for all. After "discoveries" that I made on the Internet, I realized that I know nothing about beading and I have to start from scratch. It didn't scare me, but rather the contrary, spurred to action. The desire to learn was so strong that at first even in my dreams I've studied the patterns and drawn sketches.

2. How much time do you devote to the hobby? What's your work schedule?

For some reason I work from home and schedule my working day myself. My main work is seasonal, household chores are distributed and tweaked and don't take a lot of time. My son grew up and is quite independent, so I can afford to give away all my free time to beads with light heart. The average is about 6-7 hours and sometimes, when it's difficult to break away, I grab night hours, approximately five more.

3. What is beadweaving for you?

I get so much pleasure from beading that it would be probably enough for ten people. Mood improves, I smile more often, and it seems to me that the people around me smile more often too. My passion became a sort of another dimension, where I can forget about the current issues, completely shut down and go with the flow after a needle, not thinking about anything other than implementing my ideas.

All this gives a positive energy and it's easier to find solutions to resolve problems; and some hard moments I begin to perceive with great optimism. Generally, I think I'm very lucky in life: a lovely work, lovely hobbies, lovely and understanding people around - what else is necessary for happiness, perhaps a little more time in the day?

4. Which bead technique do you like most?

The use of techniques depends largely on my plans. And given that I'm still learning, also on my skills at the moment. I try myself in embroidery, I haven't made success in soutache embroidery, but I think a great desire will help me. I like combinations of different techniques in one item, for me vivid example is Miriam Shimon's creativity.

5. What is the source for your inspiration?

This can be anything you want. The view from the window, reading poetry, hearing the songs, there are so many interesting things around us! For example, today there is rain. It seems to be a boring topic and damp gloom, but... Thinking that the rain would end sometime, I remember the rainbow and drops of rain on the petals of roses - isn't that a beautiful picture and a subject to beadwork?

Full interview with Irina Sidina
 
Beadworks by Irina Sidina
 
Email: sidina@bk.ru
 
Blog: liveinternet.ru/users/jriska

Fashion Colorworks. Interview with Elena Golovchenko

Elena Golovchenko - the author of Love Necklace
Third Place Winner in Finished Jewelry category and
Best Use of Materials Award Winner

1. Elena, do you think of beading as of creativity, if so, how do you feel about that?

Like many women, I love crafting. Once I have sewed my clothes and already reached a certain level, knitted, made herbariums of dried leaves and flowers and created pictures from them. I haven't heard about beads for a long time and I'm sorry... I think that beading can be safely attributed as the creative work. And why not? For example, I just like to come up with an interesting shape of jewelry and work on its design.

2. Do you create your beadworks spontaneously or by preconceived designs?

I draw sketches almost always, but not always the end result matches the sketch. There may some new thoughts and details come. It so happens that the result reminds only a hint of an original sketch.

3. Do you have a desire to learn new techniques and try new materials to work with?

Only the knowledge of many techniques allows us to be more mobile in implementing our ideas. I'm still afraid to even come close to frivolite with beads, this work seems very complicated to me. I love new materials - they give new opportunities to try your skills! Recently, there are so many beautiful beads and other materials have appeared, that dazzle!

4. What do you think about copyright issues in beadedwork?

This is a complex issue, and it was discussed many times on different online resources. I think that I have not matured yet to the point when my work is repeated by other artists. And then, for me, beading is a hobby. When beadwork pursues commercial purpose, other laws come into force.

5. Do your loved ones like your passion?

Probably, yes, even though my husband constantly criticizes me and complains that I have spent lots of time on beadwork. The word "beads" in our family is a household name. But deep down he's glad my success. My son always support, praise and offers options for further development, and I'm very grateful to him and always ready for new challenges.

6. Do you watch new jewelry trends?

This is my another favorite hobby: watch fashion shows of contemporary designers. International experience is invaluable in creating jewelry.

7. Do you have a need to communicate with people from the "bead world"?

Of course! When we are together, a kind of zone of high gravity is being formed, new ideas are born, there is an exchange of experiences. Well, we live in times of the Internet, where you can easily communicate with the same enthusiastic people from all over the world.

Full interview with Elena Golovchenko
 
Beadworks by Elena Golovchenko
 
Email: pani-p@ukr.net

Fashion Colorworks. Interview with Natalia Mariash

Natalia Mariash - the author of Baba-Yaga Doll
Third Place Winner in Beaded Objects category

1. The traditional question: what did your passion for beading start with?

My journey into the world of beads is just beginning... My name is Natalia Mariash, I was born in Ukraine, in Kiev, in a family of artists. Perhaps my genes or the "city of seven hills", where we moved (Moscow), influenced my perception of the world. The worship of beauty in all its forms and its attraction I felt from a very early age. Now it is very often my admiration with the creations of artists who work with beads. Seeing their excellent items, which embodies the positive idea, and superb craftsmanship, it is impossible to remain indifferent.

2. Have you ever participated in any contests like Fashion Colorworks?

I have never entered such contests previously. Having a good basic sewing skills and some experience in beading, I ventured to become a member of the Fashion Colorworks 2013. Frankly, I was interested in it and pushed the set task of working with color combinations. I see the color is not just a visual phenomenon, but as a distinct language in which the combination of shades - like a palette of words - can compete with even the great Russian language. A well-chosen color combinations evoke emotions, especially if they have backed the idea, which is guessed in a work.

3. Why did you decide to create for the contest such an unusual item as your Baba-Yaga Doll?

The idea of the doll was brought to me by my daughter from her beading classes where they just developed the theme of Slavic mythology. This topic also triggered my interest! That's it, quite by accident, we opted for Baba-Yaga. In our version, she is not old and sinister, but a young and wise woman.

4. What do you think about contest color combinations?

The suggested color combinations, it seemed to me, were not quite so simple and, of course, I got interested to work with them. The palette for the Baba-Yaga was completely appropriate, at once the combination of fabrics, straw, pale colors to the head piece, unknown mushrooms became clear.

5. What can you tell us about your other contest entries?

The Dragon Handbag and the necklace "12" I decided to keep for myself; these are the items associated with my personal experience. The necklace had a long preparatory work but I spent just one day to make it, it's a rarity for me. I usually work through a lot of options, and then after a while go back to an item and choose the best design solution.

6. Do you have any professional beading secrets?

Of course, but it is unlikely these are my personal secrets. For example, a composition where the image and the background is almost no different often seems lifeless and excluded. Our view draw in the first place the elements that differ from background in color, brightness and texture. Light items on a dark background seem to be more illuminated, and sometimes even more mysterious - this technique was successfully used by Renaissance artists.

Full interview with Natalia Mariash
 
Beadworks by Natalia Mariash
 
Email: natmar@list.ru

Upcoming events

Sugarloaf Craft Festivals Sugarloaf Craft Festivals

October 4, 5, 6, 2013
Timonium, Maryland
Maryland State Fairgrounds

October 11, 12, 13, 2013
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Montgomery County Fairgrounds

October 25, 26, 27, 2013
Somerset, New Jersey
Garden State Exhibit Ctr.

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!

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