Aside from planning the content of our magazines, we (The staffs of Bead&Button, BeadStyle, and Art Jewelry magazines) are working hard to prepare for the Bead&Button Show which starts in three days. The show runs from May 31 through June 7. Those of us who are teaching classes are preparing kits. Those of us taking classes are ordering supplies. And, all of us are working on setting up our interlocking schedules for the week.

I will be taking two classes this year. The first one is Faux Finishes for Metal, taught by Gail Crosman Moore and the second, Riveted Spinner Ring taught by my friend and colleague, Jill Erickson. If you are not planning to visit  Milwaukee for the show this year, perhaps you can make it next summer. Next year's show will be held June 6-13, 2010. If you are attending the show this year, I hope you join us for the Bead Social on Saturday, June 6th.

One of my favorite events is the Auction that takes place during the Bead Social. Last year, the auctions at the Bead&Button Show raised $28,825 — $23,825 raised during the Silent and Live Auctions, and a $5,000 contribution from Kalmbach Publishing, publisher of Bead&Button, BeadStyle, and Art Jewelry magazines. The money was donated  to the Medical College of Wisconsin's breast-cancer research program. During the Live Auction and Bead Social, the 2009 Excellence in Bead Artistry award will be awarded to Anne Mitchell. It's a wonderful event and a chance to get together with friends. We hope you can make it.