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Hiddenite is a variety of spodumene mineral which is mostly associated with pink mineral kunzite. Hiddenite varies in color from almost clear light-green to yellow-green, to green-yellow, and to emerald-green. The first specimens of the hiddenite were recovered about 1879 near the tiny settlement of White Plains in Alexander County, North Carolina. As the legend says, a young man named Lackey brought the samples of hiddenite to the attention of J.A.D. Stephenson, a local merchant who was also a collector of minerals.

Initially, the yellowish to greenish-yellow hiddenites were thought to be gemmy diopside. Stephenson showed the discovery to exploration geologist William Earl Hidden, who had been commissioned by Thomas Edison to search for any sources of platinum in North Carolina. Hidden sent the odd green crystals to J.L. Smith, a prominent mineralogist. Smith correctly identified the specimens as being a variety of spodumene, and named them "hiddenite" in honor of Hidden.

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The mining area of North Carolina, USA, where hiddenite was discovered, has been named Hiddenite after the gem. Because of its vivid green color, hiddenite was also referred to as the "lithia emerald" when mining of it reached its peak in the 1800s. Strictly speaking, hiddenite comes from only one locality in the world in North Carolina. However, as newer deposits of green spodumene have been discovered in Afghanistan and Brazil, this term has been applied to all forms of transparent green spodumene worldwide.

Hiddenite is popular with collectors and museums. I has perfect cleavage and is difficult to cut. Hiddenite is ideal for rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants. It can be fashioned into almost any shape. Hiddenite makes attractive faceted gemstones (usually emerald cut - also known as step cut), cabochons or sperical beads. As with diamond, hiddenite should be protected from hard knocks by protected settings in rings for daily wear.

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Experience is important when it comes to skill in any matter. But youth doesn't interfere business, especially if a person is talented! Apollinaria Koprivnik was born in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia. A few years ago, while in magic Prague, she met a man of her life, got married and moved to the ancient city of Maribor, in Slovenia. We do not know how this sequence of events affected her priorities, but one thing is for sure: today Apollinaria is a well-known beadwork master whose works are being amazed by dozens and hundreds of people!

Apollinariya says, "Every year, creativity acquires new features, but no one wants to forget the stages of the path and most importantly, the very beginning. It's always interesting to remember how it all began. Earlier I couldn't even imagine that I would completely find myself in beading. The random events led to the series of ideas and experiments, attempts to work in different techniques and with different materials, but I'm true to the beads.

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My wedding dress was completely designed by my mother and me and the belt was embroidered with beads and pearls. I watched all the stages of creating the dress and the belt and saw how something beautifully real comes from nothing. Of course, all the moments were very interesting for me: you pickup beads on the needle, attach them, go back, string beads again and so on, until the pattern comes to life... All this fascinated me and I kept that in my mind.

After a while, I decided to try the techniques I already knew in creating jewelry. This was in early 2011. Without basic skills, without a clear idea of what I want to see in the end, I started my experiment. It still doesn't end, but it has made new turns and taken new features. Previously, I did not notice a tendency to a certain style, but gradually, from one piece of jewelry to another, I feel that I want to say about something meaningful in my work. And I understand how I want to express it.

work in process

The material itself dictates to me what to do, I assemble it into the whole one to let it tell its story. I like using Swarovski elements and beads of different shapes in my works. Due to the fact that I'm a member of the amateur group of BeadSmith company designers, I often receive samples of new types of beads for testing the coatings and possibilities of material.

It's very inspiring and helps invent new forms of woven details, some of which become parts of jewelry items and then appear in tutorials. I really like to play with shapes and color combinations. Sometimes illogical and non-standard at first glance solutions appear in the process, which acquire an interesting and fresh sound..."

Full article by Apollinariya Koprivnik
 
Beaded jewelry by Apollinariya Koprivnik
 
Email: pikapolina@gmail.com
 
Website: www.pikapolina.com
 
Blog: livemaster.com/pikapolina
 
Etsy Shop: etsy.com/people/pikapolina
 
Facebook: facebook.com/apollinariya.koprivnik

Creative Crafts Council: On Tour

August 4 - 27, 2017
Artists' reception: August 4, 6-8 pm
Glen Echo Park, Popcorn Gallery
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812
Directions

The Glen Echo Park Partnership hosts Creative Crafts Council: On Tour. This exhibition features artists whose work had received awards at the Creative Crafts Council 30th Biennial Exhibition, which originally took place at Strathmore Mansion in April-May 2017.

Creative Crafts Council Exhibition in Strathmore