click to enlarge

Andesine is a transparent to translucent mineral that belongs to the feldspar group, it is colorless, white, cream, yellow, pale green, gray, flesh-red or reddish orange. The mineral was named "andesine" after its original occurrence in the Andes Mountains of South America. What makes it different than most other gemstones is its faint metallic schiller or luster known as labradorescence which allows it to exhibit various ranges of color depending on the viewing angle. Andesine is considered by some authorities as a variety of albite rather than a separate mineral.

Andesine is prevalent in volcanic regions throughout the world. Except andesine original locality of Marmato Mine, Colombia in the Andes Mountains, large crystals of the mineral are found in the San Gabriel Mountains (Los Angeles County), California. Other localities are the Riverside County, California; York County, Maine; Quebec, Canada; and Victoria, Australia.

click to enlarge

In about 2002 andesine started to hit the market. Much of the material is Chinese in origin and has been synthetically diffused to enhance color, and is actually produced from labradorite having very similar chemical compositions. So, the original name "andesine" for the gemstones sold on the market was thought to be very misleading. In order to partially correct the problem, "andesine" was later hyphenated to "andesine-labradorite". The trade name was widely accepted, but it is often referred to as just "andesine", as well as "red labradorite", "Congo sunstone" and by its general term of "red feldspar".

Andesine-labradorite is found in various shapes and cuts. Andesine is most often faceted as opposed to unenhanced labradorite, which is cut into cabochons. The enhancement allows the stone to exhibit better transparency and color which is highlighted through facet cutting. Most andesine-labradorite stones are cut in oval shapes, they are durable enough for most forms of gemstone jewelry, but recommended mostly for use as earrings, pendants, brooches, bracelets, necklaces, tie-tacks or cuff-links.

click to enlarge

Born in Lithuania, Inga Sampoeva lives in Belorussia in the city of Vitebsk. She got her first beading experience when she studied in the 5th grade, Inga wove a cross for my mom. Now she is a professional participating in bead shows, festivals and exhibitions. Welcome to our newsletter pages, Inga!

Inga says, "The thrust to create something beautiful and tiny was in my blood. I learned that my great-grandmother was a seamstress, and she had fed an entire family for some time embroidering beautiful shirts and underwear for the upper class of the city. I also always had combinations of colors before my eyes because my father was a painter.

click to see gallery

Anyways, as to the beads, my life has led me to "making beauties" at my very serious age. The beginning was funny - once I came across a wonderful book by Margie Deeb "The Beader's Guide to Color". The most interesting is that the first thing I noticed were not experiments with colors but beadworks presented in the book, such that in general all around me ceased to exist. Yes, that's right! It was a revelation, as if a star had fallen into my hands!

My first reaction was - I ran to the nearest crafts shop and about a kilogram of beads was neatly stacked in my bag; I got home very quickly. And then it began! It turned out that I needed special needles. Oh, yes, and thread! And we do not really have all this in one shop, and I had to look for that stuff. In a couple of days the materials and tools were collected, and the solemn moment of the first try came.

click to see gallery

I don't know why it was a circular peyote stitch item. Unfortunately, then I suffered a complete fiasco, which has been difficult to survive! As it turned out, I bought Chinese beads. Crooked and bumpy they didn't fit the technique I selected for the debut. My very first beads remained in fairly large quantities, only later I learned how to use a very remarkable quality of Chinese beads.

And yet the fire that jewelry of different artists represented in the Margie's book ignited in me, didn't fade away after my first unsuccessful attempts, but actively inflamed after buying my first Czech beads. They just fascinated me with its evenness, it was fun, and it was a delight! And of course, it seemed that everything was behind and I could do everything since everything was clear and so easy! - At my first sight..."

Full article by Inga Sampoeva
 
Beaded jewelry by Inga Sampoeva
 
Email: ingaes@mail.ru
 
Facebook (personal): www.facebook.com/inga.kjon?fref=nf
 
Facebook (business): www.facebook.com/Kjon44

The symbolic meaning of colors can affect our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states, both consciously and unconsciously. We can use colors to help us feel better, to inject an element of vitality into our life, or to calm strong feelings and promote a sense of peace and relaxation.

The use of colors by Indian beadworkers varies widely among the many different tribes throughout the U.S. & Canada. These are general guidelines for some of the better known beadworking tribes. Many exceptions to this can be found, but this provides a basis for staying within the traditions for these tribes. One should also be aware that many variations of hues existed within given shades of colors, and these varied from factory to factory as well as in different lots from the same factory.

Full article about Native American tribal bead colors

Creative Crafts Council 30th Biennial Exhibition

June 6 - July 26, 2015
Awards Reception: June 11, 2015
Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD 20852

This Strathmore juried favorite returns with a crafty collection of work in a variety of media that's guaranteed to surprise and delight. Extraordinary pieces of fine contemporary craft by regional artists will be on display at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda.

This biennial show is sponsored by the Creative Crafts Council (CCC), which represents artists working in ceramics, enamel, glass, fiber, metals, mixed media, polymer clay, and wood. The public is cordially invited to visit the show in business hours, and also to come and meet the artists and judges in person at the Artists' Opening and Reception on June 11th, when the prize winners of each category will be announced.