Bet,
Around here people are making them.....they aren't really that hard and they are actually made of high end placemats!! They use a sewing machine and then add the little silver rings, use heavy wire and glass beads. They sell from $15-$40 here and the private owned gift shops around here are the people who are selling them.
When I bought mine there were all kinds, palm trees, leopard print, you name it!! And they are very sturdy too.