Just about a year ago, I heard that yet another new bead magazine was about to hit the market. With an abundance of beading magazines already available, I couldn't see how a new magazine could find an unfilled niche. I didn't know how this newcomer would be unique. Then I heard that the new magazine would be called Bead Unique. I thought this was mighty ambitious and brave.

Today, I am one of thousands of loyal subscribers and readers of a beading magazine that has lived up to, and exceeded, its name. Bead Unique is exactly that! It's about beads, and it is most definitely unique. Let me give you some specifics.

When I saw the Premiere issue last May (see cover at right), I was immediately impressed with the overall design. Being a publisher, (no matter how small time I consider myself) I notice things that the average reader might not. I was thrilled not to stumble over any typographical errors. This is something that really bugs me about some of the high end magazines -- in today's techno-centric world, how can there possibly be so many typos in one issue of a print magazine? I can understand human error -- and the best spell checker in the world won't pick up a word that is spelled correctly but used incorrectly (example: to, too, two).

Not only does Bead Unique get it right with spelling, I also didn't find any technical errors in the articles nor the ads. In some publications, it is very common to find mistakes that cost the reader time and money, especially if the error is in a tutorial. And to have typos in a paid advertisement is barely forgivable.

I really appreciate the editorial tone of Bead Unique as well. When I read this magazine, it's easy to believe it is written to me and for me, and that's a very nice touch. This really came as no surprise though, because it is the hallmark of all the publications under the All American Crafts umbrella (see their website for other great titles).

But what do I like most about Bead Unique?...the abundance of polymer clay articles, of course. In the Premiere issue there were at least three projects that used polymer clay. It's nice to see polymer clay artist Patti Kimle in each issue. She's one of my favorites. I find her work to be fresh and innovative, and I'm glad she's affiliated with such a great publication.

Bead Unique is just what I was looking for in a beading magazine. It's beads, it's unique, and it's written really well, and just for me.

To subscribe to Bead Unique, visit their website at www.beaduniquemag.com.

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