The city’s breweries may be slipping away, but with a bevy of terrific bead shops like Eclectica and Knot Just Beads and national magazines like BeadStyle and Bead & Button published here in our own backyard by Kalmbach, we’re holding our own on beading. Helping maintain our edge, Naomi Fujimoto, Wauwatosa native and senior editor of BeadStyle, steps up with a fun new book Cool Jewels: Beading Projects for Teens, available at local book and bead stores. For more info visitwww.kalmbach.com and check out this year’s wildly popular Bead & Button show scheduled for June 1 – 8 at the Midwest Airlines Center at www.beadandbuttonshow.com.

Shoppers with an interest in creative expression wait with baited breath for the Make Your Mark event held only twice a year at Artist And Display. Stop in between 11 am and 3 pm October 20 as talented artists demonstrate new products and techniques in embossing, stenciling, calligraphy, pastels and much, much more sure to inspire holiday card and gift giving. (9015 W. Burleigh, 414-442-9100, www.artistanddisplay.com)

Find out just how much talent this city has to offer at the Fall into Fasten Runway Show at Riverwest’s Stonefly October 20. Sponsored by Fasten Designer Co-op, the 9 pm event features the imaginative work of locals like Little Ocean, Softly Fiercely, Madam Chino, Neon Danger, Moshi Moshi and GG Collections against the audio backdrop of Miss Jane and Flavor Dav. Stay for an after party pumped up by Milwaukee’s own “lady-like powerpop/punk band,” Lefty Loosie. $6 cover fee and you must be 21 to attend. (735 E. Center St., 414-264-3630)

Save money as you check out why Ess Elle Style Studio was recently recognized as Best Woman’s Clothing Boutique in the City. Simply bring in five pink Yoplait yogurt lids and get a 20 percent discount off any purchase now through the end of October. Known for affordable style, for each lid collected the store will donate 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help raise awareness about breast cancer. Looking for a better deal? Shop during happy hours (4 – 7 pm every Thursday) and take an additional 10 percent off all regularly priced merchandise and try your hand at a lucrative shake of the dice. Roll 3 of a kind you’ll save 20 percent, 4 of a kind skim off 40% and for every roll of 5 of a kind take a whopping 50 percent off! (1919 E Kenilworth Pl., 414-271-ESSL, www.esselleonline.com)

Fashionistas around the world look to Italy’s Pianegonda for statement-making jewelry combining classic workmanship, diamonds and semi-precious stones with a lot of attitude. Now you can too as Faye’s 1 and Faye@Play Mequon store launches a city exclusive with a cocktail party on October 18 to be held from 5 to 7 pm. Or check out the Pianegonda trunk show which will run through October 20 at the Mequon store before moving on to the Brookfield location October 21 & 22. Meanwhile, during the October 18 - 21 Sweater event at the Brookfield store, fans of the perennial popular Magaschoni sweater line will find plenty of fall and

holiday styles to purchase immediately as well an option to order spring styles now for December delivery. (18900 W. Bluemound Rd. Brookfield, 262-432-0070 & 1505 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, 414-241-8386, www.fayes123.com)

Milwaukee Futon’s Fall Kick-off Sale begins October 21 and ends with extended hours October 26 & 27(shop till 10 pm). Deals include Buy One-Get One Free decorative pillows, 20 % off artful Motawi Tiles, 10% off any custom-ordered futon cover, $50 off select futon and platform bed frames and 25 % off all supportive Natura mattresses. (316 North Milwaukee St., 414-727-5483, info@milwaukeefuton.com)

October 25 marks the 4^th anniversary of Vieux et Nouveau Boutique. Throughout the day, new and loyal customers can earn escalating savings storewide while receiving discount coupons good for purchases at Sweet Kicks, a nearby trendy shoe salon. But it’s at 6 pm the shopping fun begins in earnest with a shopping party embracing a French, Fashion & Fun theme complete with games, prizes, snacks and drinks. RSVP by Oct. 24 to heidi@boutiquemilwaukee.com (1688 N. Franklin Place at Brady St. 414-287-9049, www.boutiquemilwaukee.com)

Macy’s October 18 Men’s Shopping Night event treats the guys to 20% off all men’s tailored and designer fashions, dress shirts, ties, sportswear shoes and accessories in the store. (500 N Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, 414-471-3700)

It’s easy to “Do a Kind Deed for Women in Need,” just gather up any gently used, no longer worn clothing in your closet and drop it off at Miss Groove or Miss Groove Intimate October 18 through Nov 4. Get a warm fuzzy for helping local the local Nia Imani Family organization provide homeless or at-risk women and their children with their all-important transitional living programs while receiving a 15% discount on the some of the coolest and most beautiful lingerie, apparel and accessories in the city. (1225 E. Brady St. 414-298-9185 and 1224 E. Brady St

414- 298-1694) Stop in at Waterford Wine Company October 19 at 7 pm for a taste of the history along with a sampling of some of Scotland’s greatest and most unique Scotches. Whether you prefer it on the rocks, with soda or ‘neat,’ it’s a great way to find out what all the fuss is about. $50 per guest. (1327 E. Brady Street 414-289-9463)

It seems just about every week there’s something interesting going on at J.Bird Boutique. On October 20^th, designer Jennifer Mog demonstrates her hand-pounded silver and glazed enamel techniques while speaking of her amazing work in Thailand teaching jewelry making to young women to improve their station in life. The store will also unveil its new Build Your Own Earring Bar where customers are encouraged to design their own fashion statements. Fittingly, a portion of the day’s sales will be donated to support Mog’s humanitarian efforts. (415 E. Menomonee St. 414-727-6553 www.jbirdboutique.blogspot.com)

And finally, kudos to furniture designer Michael Doerr of Sturgeon Bay, whose sculptural chair recently won a Best of Show award at the Fine Furnishings Milwaukee Show, an annual show presenting the public with the unique handcrafted work of over 150 American artisans. For more info visit www.michaeldoerr.com and www.finefurnishingsshow.com