Beaded dog leashes (?)

A jewelry company has introduced a strung-bead dog leash that it says is strong enough to serve as, well, a dog leash.

It's a difficult concept for us beaders to grasp, but the makers of FabuLeash claim to have invented a patent-pending technology that makes it work.

Most FabuLeashes are made with acrylic beads, but there's also a limited "Haute Collection FabuLeash, made with Crystallized by Swarovski elements."

Oh my.

The leashes are supposedly strong enough to handle 50 pounds of pull force -- much less than any of my dogs exerts, but I don't think my dogs are the target market for dainty jeweled leashes. ;) There's no word yet on how thick the stringing material is, or what it's made of.

If the creator of FabuLeash really has invented a bead stringing material strong enough to be a dog leash, I wonder if they realize its market potential in the jewelry making field?

Would you consider using it, and what would you use it for?

To learn more about the standard varieties of stringing material available to jewelry makers, see Chapter 3 of TYV Jewelry Making & Beading or Chapter 2 of Beading Quick Tips.

New "About the Books" menu on Beadjewelry.net

This weekend I gave each of my craft books its own page on the site, with author notes and the complete table of contents.

You can access the new links anytime from their drop-down menu, or right here in this post:

Teach Yourself Visually Jewelry Making & Beading

Teach Yourself Visually Beadwork

Wire Jewelry Quick Tips

Beading Quick Tips

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Crafts (coming soon)

Also new: Where to Purchase (some online resources for the books)

Anything I should add? Questions about a book? Let me know! :)

Step by Step Beads is merging into Beadwork Magazine

Beaking Bead News: Interweave has announced that its zine Step by Step Beads will soon be no more - but that its content will be "merged" into Beadwork magazine (one of my personal faves). The Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Step by Step will officially be its last.

If you have a subscription to Step by Step that has not yet run out, you'll begin receiving Beadwork magazine instead starting with the April/May issue. However, if you currently subscribe to both magazines, your Step by Step subscription will simply fall off. (You can call Step by Step Beads customer service at 1-800-448-0865 for more details.)

According to Interweave, the newly-merged Beadwork magazine will include the following new features:

• Stitch Pro: A starting place for beginners that teaches a common stitch, while offering beaders of all levels an in-depth exploration of the stitch. Discover tips from editors, other well known designers, and readers.
• Simply Seeds: A spotlighted project 100% made with seed beads, from clasp to the body of the project.
• Bead Artist: Expanded to include profiles of both bead artisans and beadweaving artists.
• Project ratings: A graphic that rates a project’s required time commitment level on a 1-to-3 scale.

As far as I can tell, there's no word yet on whether Beadwork's page count or subscription rate will change as a result.

Annoucnements like this certainly aren't surprising given the economic climate, and the recent loss of historically popular magazines like Gourmet. For a little perspective, here's a look at the current paid circulation (subscriptions and newsstand) of both zines, according to Interweave in October 2009:

• Step by Step Beads: 26,676
• Beadwork: 56,526

It's clear that Beadwork has been selling better than Step by Step.  Is this evidence of a higher demand for more-complex projects than simple ones? It's hard to say, but interesting to ponder.

The best news is that, according to Interweave, the merger will not result in any layoffs. Step by Step's editor, Jane Dickerson, will remain on board as a contributing editor to Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine, which is not going away. Step by Step alum Leslie Rogalski will also become online editor for Beading Daily.

That's all for now - I'll post updates on the merger as I receive them!

Basic Dutch spiral bracelet project

Since I'm on the topic of free downloads today, here's another one for ya. This pdf also accompanies Teach Yourself Visually Beadwork, and is a bonus project featuring a Dutch spiral rope technique.

Now it doesn't cover the basics of Dutch spiral or the technique for making a peyote toggle clasp--both of which are covered in other sections of the book; but, even if you don't have a copy, you may still find the project useful if you have some beading experience. (Tip: See last year's Peyote Toggle Clasp post for hints.)

To grab the pdf, click here or on one of the sceenshots after the photo.

 

Saturday Beadsurf

Welcome to the first Saturday Beadsurf post --  my (lazy-Saturday-morning) picks of the most striking  beadwork designs on the Net. Each is an example of beadwork techniques coming alive through practice, experimentation, and liberated creativity.

If I've overlooked something truly fabulous, be sure to link it in a comment! :)

• Green ruffled beaded bracelet by Liz's Bead Art on Etsy. A single color comes alive through a mix of finishes, textures, and shapes.
• White Butterfly Choker by Shooting Star Beads on 1000 Markets. The colors, patterns, and bulk of this piece give it substance and pop - and the ladybug clasp is the perfect finishing touch.
• Very Victorian Sepia Photograph Bead Embroidery Brooch by Dealan-de Designs on Etsy. Masterfully executed bead embroidery with wonderful attention to detail (even on the back).
• Beadwoven Swarovski Crystal and Peacock Feather Necklace by Bianca Hayashi on Etsy. On first glance, the amazing peacock feathers seem to steal the show, but the real impact of this design would be lost without the intricate rivoli bezel beadwork. (Definitely a "Wow" piece.)
• Moonlight Chic Choker by Triz Designs on Etsy. Stacked floral beadwork works perfectly with a simple neck wire.
• Lemon and Chocolate Confection by Sand Fibers on 1000 Markets. The colors and textures of the beads here are a perfect compliment to the glass-fused clay medallion.
• Tropical Seas by njema beadwoven jewelry and more on Etsy. Wonderful use of circular peyote stitch to to construct a colorful, wavy backdrop for a handmand ceramic pendant.
• Stunning Beadwoven Bracelet with Swarovski Crystals by Made by Katarina on Etsy. Can you believe the crispness of these peyote triangles? And jet swarovski crystals make a perfect accent. (Here it is in blue!)
• Starburst Necklace - Summer Fruits - Three Dimensional Peyote Beadwoven Stars Necklace by miamiamia designs on Etsy. LOVE the 3D stars, colors, and use of steel chain!