In the wake of the Bead&Button show, the Art Jewelry offices have been slightly manic. (Yes, we still feel aftershocks more than a month later!) The last day of the show dropped us right in the middle of crunch time to get the September 2009 issue to the press. All creative maneuvering aside, we're really happy with how it turned out! Click here for a preview of the September 2009 issue of Art Jewelry -- you'll be finding it in your mailboxes and on newsstands in just a few short weeks!

If you like to make sure your studio is stocked before your issue arrives so you can start in on the projects right away, click here to download a free PDF of Art Jewelry's September 2009 Shopping list. The list includes all the materials, tools, and supplies you'll need, plus a listing of suppliers that you can get the goods from.

For subscribers, the sneak peek is a bit more Technicolor: check out the results of Editor Hazel Wheaton's hands-on test of two kinds of pliers: Davidchain's mandrel-tip pliers (chain mail artist Scott David Plumlee collaborated with Swanstrom Tools to develop these) and Professional Precision Tools pliers (they come in a set of five).

And now, on to the free project! If you've ever wanted to try engraving, you have about 10 days to click here to get a free downloadable PDF of "All About Gravers" by Associate Editor Addie Kidd. Addie's article starts with the very basics: how to buy, size, and shape your own customized engraving tool. (We originally published the article in the September 2008 issue of Art Jewelry to complement Jessica Dow and Mark Anderson's metals project, "Try Your Hand at Engraving.") For a limited time, we're offering the PDF of Addie's graver article free; but on July 24, 2009, it will go on sale along with all the other projects from the September 2008 issue. After July 24th, look here to buy individual downloadable PDFs of the projects from the September 2008 issue of Art Jewelry.

Have fun checking out our newest online perks! 

—Kristin