It's that time of year again - The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. In case you've never been there, the "Show" is really a whole lot of small and big shows spread throughout the city and over a span of about 3 weeks. Everything is here. There are gems, both precious and semi-precious, mineral specimens, huge geodes that weigh tons down to small ones you can put on your shelf. For jewelry makers there are cabochons, bead cut stones, pendants, chain, metal findings, wire of every size and gauge, and more. Many sellers are from other countries and bring stones that aren't mined here in the US. It is a fun, fascinating place to visit.
I went there the first time in 2013. It was amazing. Overwhelming, really. I had just started to make jewelry and had very few supplies. Seeing all of the stones, beads, and jewelry findings was like being turned loose in a candy shop. And like a little kid, I overdid it. I went to at least six different shows in three days. Of course I bought something from each show, though luckily for my bank account I didn't buy from every shop. (But I wanted, too.)
Over the years I have cut back as my stash grew and my energy level drooped. I've been doing a lot of needle felting the past two years and not as much jewelry making. So I didn't really NEED anything. But it was Tucson, and I had to go.
I went with a list of the wire I estimated I would use this year. Paramount Wire Company, makers of Parawire, brought a huge selection and had a good show price. I bought my favorites and tried a new one. I picked up a 20 gauge white wire that I might try to use for claws on some felted projects I have in mind.
I visited the Australian sellers at the Kino Sports Complex show. I was looking for Mookaite, a type of Jasper that is only found down under. They had a lot of big stones, but not the small ones I use in my jewelry. I did find a small irregular shaped Mookaite stone that I'll use as a display piece. Fortunately Voices of the Stones, located at the Casino del Sol site, had a large selection of the Mookaite beads. I found a cabochon I liked and some round and oval bead cut stones.
A shop that was new to me was Candy Beads, also in the Casino del Sol location. I found some beautiful Red Jasper there. They also had Red Jasper and Picture Jasper cut into star shapes. I think they'll make cute earrings.
Another great find was at Patricia Healey Copper. She had a huge selection of pendants and findings all made from copper. I bought 3 circle pins that I might be able to make into shawl pins. She also had really cute fox and coyote pins. I couldn't resist a little fox face. I'm not sure what I'll make with it, but it was too cute to pass up. My photo doesn't show the color very well, but in person they are great.
Had a great time. I'll have an even better time making these treasures into jewelry.
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