Here at BeadStyle, we've started the celebration for the release of Cathy's new book, Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry. (And here she is opening one of our gifts, in her lovely office.)

Cathy says that writing the book gave her a reason to explore her collection of mementos and family photos. She loves whimsical stuff (no one loves Disney more!). If you've got a copy of our May issue, you might remember "Cent-imental favorite," her necklace project with smooshed pennies.

This Friday, we'll be attending her book release party during Gallery Night. Gallery Night is a quarterly event where you can pop into various Milwaukee shops and galleries to look at art, including photography, paintings, and jewelry. The vibe is casual — PBR in cans rather than artists clad in all black.

One of my favorite past events was a showing of Stephanie Bartz's photography. She creates beautiful black-and-white images of dogs, both action photos and yearbook-style portraits. Check out her photo of Shadow, a black lab caught in a moment of concentration.

I'm looking forward to Friday — to wandering around, sipping some cocktails, and helping our friend celebrate her success. Cathy knows how to throw a bash (no PBR in cans): she's getting roasted pepper hummus, bite-sized falafel with tahini, and baklava for partygoers. Cheers!