Combining the creativity of traditional arts and crafts with new technologies leads to fascinating new jobs and products. Typically the technology is a tool that helps composers to create modern music, architects to design complex buildings, or textile designers to map out intricately woven patterns. But more and more often the technology is part of the result, electronic music, a kinetic sculpture with sensors, or, in the case of International Fashion Machines, a tablecloth with electronic embroidery that lets you play Jeopardy. The field of e-textiles is not much of an industry yet, but research is continuing with the hope of more government funding in the future. Imagine the military applications of dynamic camouflage clothing.

You always wanted to dance like Michael Jackson didn’t you? OK, maybe not. But maybe you’d like these glow in the dark stepping stones for your front walk. Even if you can’t be like Mike, you can pretend he was there. Too bad they don’t automatically turn on when you step on them though. (There’s matching edging too.)

A top winner in the Home Arts clothing division at the Santa Clara County Fair was a wired vest with green and red LEDs, the three buttons reading “2, 4, 6”. This was a signal that we were still in Silicon Valley despite the surroundings of homemade jams, flower displays, and many wonderfully designed and stitched quilts. The bobbin lace demonstration was fascinating since I had never considered how it was made. I have crocheted lace, but never seen the setup of pillow, bobbins, and pins that are the tools of a bobbin lace maker. Over in the livestock area we saw pig after pig after pig. After a while, the pigs, most were sleeping, started to look the same, as did the sheep. But the goats were full of character and spunk as they stuck their noses out between the bars, hoping for food. And the cows? Cows are big. And the ones bred for beef are even bigger.

Digging through the mass of Flash at Gem.net reveals many sparkling jewels. The site is funded by Swarovski, the crystal company, and a gem distributer. Learn about the 62 carat Rockefeller sapphire that was purchased and repurchased by a father and his son multiple times at great profits. It was most recently sold at auction for $3.1 million and it sure looks like a million bucks with its brilliant blue clarity and clean lines. Read about the jewelry designed for Lord of the Rings and visit a pearl farm in Tahiti. Dig even further to see what gems you uncover.

I been noticing for T-Mobile everywhere. It sprang out of nowhere, unlike mlife which announced itself with annoying regularity before revealing it was just an AT&T; cell phone marketing ploy. But where are T-Mobile’s roots? Well, it used to be VoiceStream, but was renamed in California and Nevada. Soon it will be renamed everywhere else too. Doesn’t it seem like wireless providers change their names constantly? Pacbell Wireless is now Cingular. GTE Wireless is now Verizon. There was a flurry of changes around AT&T; Wireless’ investments. Most of those rebirths were the result of mergers and acquisitions, but the fancy new naming keeps the companies fresh in the crowded marketing space. Do wireless phone consumers gravitate more towards new names promising new technologies rather than knowing who is tried and true in the market? Since every company has its share of dropped calls and bad coverage areas, a makeover is probably a better tactic than keeping your name and promising experienced service. Oh, and WorldCom’s wireless customers, a money-losing venture for the bankrupt company, are being sold to various bidders.

New York’s landmark Russian Tea Room took a final gasp but closed this past weekend. Its popularity never returned despite an expensive remodel.

The $20 Double Eagle gold coin that was supposed to be destroyed but mysteriously disappeared and then resurfaced a few years ago was auctioned off for $7.59 million. It is now officially legal tender, with $20 paid to the U.S. government. But no, I don’t think we’re going back on the gold standard again.

Cooper Black: Behind the Typeface (Flash req’d) is a clever Behind the Music parody on the surface, but is actually a fact-filled documentary on a popular typeface, complete with an appropriate commercial and cute interviews with letters. (via antenna)

Fool yourself with Grand Illusions or perhaps learn new tricks to befuddle your friends with. They sell some of the props too. (via Larkfarm Weblog V2)

The NY Times’ “On the Road” column examines the experience of female business travelers at hotels. Embassy Suites is specifically marketing to the needs of women travelers, making the environment more comfortable. A survey they took revealed that “while nearly two out of three female travelers define themselves as extroverts at home or at work, more than half of those same travelers change behavior on the road and classify themselves as introverts who often avoid public areas in hotels.” Embassy has wide open public areas that women tend to prefer instead of closed lounges where men are being clubby. Women certainly vary in their reactions to unfamiliar social situations, but attemping to make them more comfortable can’t hurt. Would the men feel less comfortable? A spokesman for Embassy’s parent company, Hilton, says that their research showed that women don’t want to be treated differently. It’s a decent point to make, but if hotels are smart, they’ll realize that better security and comfort for the typical female response is equitable, if not equal. The men may even consider it a marked improvement if they are treated the same way as the women, not the other way around.