Just Bead Stringing?

Well-known magazine and book publisher, Interweave Press, has added a new special issue to its list of beading publications: Stringing. As the title suggests, you won't see any meticulous seed bead weaving or metalsmthing in this magazine, but you will find tons (and tons) of bead stringing projects. The cover for the spring 2005 issue boasts more than 150.

I've titled this article "Just Bead Strining?" with a question mark on the end because this form of jewelry making doesn't always get that much respect. It's thought of as too easy, as if anyone can do it. And while I agree to a certain extent, this magazine illustrates two important considerations when it comes to bead stringing. First, the variety of designs seem to be endless, and second, it takes a good designer's eye to create a piece of jewelry that, while technically simple to construct, is truely a piece of art.

Newstand price for one issue is $7.00 US ($9.99 Canadian). You can find more information about subscribing on their web site.