The Bead&Button Show started this week, and Art Jewelry's editors have been in and out of the office all week, working on stories for the magazine, attending workshops, and teaching workshops. I'm not a beader, but there are plenty of things for non-beaders to see and do at the show.

I'm looking forward to working at the Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer Silent Auction booth. We auction off finished jewelry (made of metal clay, wire, glass, beads, and more), kits, books, and other fun jewelry-related items. If you're going to be at the show and are interested in participating in the silent auction, please check out the silent auction guidelines. The money raised is donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin Breast Cancer Research Foundation. If you're at the show on Friday or Saturday, please come and visit me (and bid on some cool stuff).

You'll also want to check out the entries in the Bead Dreams contest, which is run by our sister publication Bead&Button. Even those of us who don't bead enjoy seeing the creative things people have done with beads. There's also a section in the contest for polymer clay pieces. Each year, ribbons are awarded to the winners of the Bead Dreams contest. But they also give an award to the People's Choice winner. If you're at the show on Friday or Saturday, please vote for your favorite contest entry. You'll find the ballots near the Bead Dreams display in the 3rd floor lobby area. Votes must be in by 4 p.m. on Saturday.

See you at the show!

––Katie