The Madison Street Festival opens with a parade at 9 a.m. on Oct. 4. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Longtime arts-and-crafts enthusiasts Liz McCutcheon and Della McIntryre will offer “Made in Madison” designs at the Madison Street Festival on Oct. 4.

After browsing jewelry counters, the pair often said, “We can make that and at a more reasonable price,” which motivated them to design their own items.

In years past, they pursued sewing, flower arranging, stained glass and “anything else that caught our attention,” McCutcheon said.

“We get to see lots of friends at the Madison Street Festival. We like to support Madison in any way we can,” McCutcheon said. They also have sold Made in Madison merchandise at the Huntsville Sidewalk Art Stroll and individual jewelry shows.

In planning their jewelry, they compile a ‘want list’ for stones, clasps, ear wires, spacers and chains. They order semi-precious stones, sterling silver findings and chains from trusted wholesalers and attend invitation-only wholesale shows.

They busily work at McCutcheon’s kitchen or dining room table. “So we decided to name the business, ‘Made in Madison,'” she said. Assembling a piece of jewelry, sometimes they must adjust or dismantle a piece four or five times until they are pleased.

“We like the creative aspect of design and challenges to make our ideas work. We have both retired and have the time to put into the jewelry,” McCutcheon said.

Soon after moving to Madison in 1987, McCutcheon started working at Whitworth Realty with the late Sara Whitworth. “I was privileged to get to meet and have customers that were ‘old-timers’ and ‘recent transplants,'” she said.

McCutcheon was instrumental in founding Madison Business Association, which evolved into Madison Chamber of Commerce. Her husband Bill retired from Lockheed Martin Corporation and works as a landscape artist.

To view Bill McCutcheon’s work, visit Facebook/William McCutcheon and his booth at the Madison Street Festival. Dee’s husband Harry works for various television and movie production companies.

For more information, call 256-461-8004 or 256-325-3135, email to lmccutch@aol.com or Deemci@aol.com or visit “Liz McCutcheon” or “Della McIntyre” on Facebook.