Helen Driggs is Managing Editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist magazine.
There’s something to be said for a solid plan. Every year at this time, my thoughts turn west — to Tucson, Arizona. Here at the office, we’ve begun to solidify our itineraries for the annual gem, mineral, bead, fossil, and jewelry shows in February, and I am planning something different this year — it’s the first time I’ll be staying long enough to see the “club show.” Since I started to learn lapidary this year, I’ve decided to skip the flurry of bead and merchandise shows that usually occur in the beginning, and instead wait for the mineral and rock portion at the end of the Tucson experience because of my budding interest in that aspect of jewelry making. I’ve always believed that it can’t hurt to learn something new, and I’m excited to experience it.
No matter when you decide to visit the “Tucson Shows,” or what your interest is, it is incredibly easy to go into absolute overwhelm the first time. The most important thing to learn is this: you will never, ever, ever see it all in one visit. Just accept that, and let’s move on now. I’ve been to Tucson 3 times now, and every time I go, I learn something new. I still haven’t been to every venue yet, and I make a concerted effort to attend at least one new show a year. There are definitely things you should and should not do, no matter how many times you’ve been there. Because many of you have e-mailed me for advice, here is my list of Tucson tips, in no particular order. And, like the Pirate Code, they aren’t rules, merely guidelines (but they’ve worked for me — so far). I’m going to assume you’ve already got a flight booked, a car rental secured, and a place to stay. If you don’t, you’d better hurry! Get a rough idea of when you want to go, take a peek at Jewelry Show Guide online for preliminary information, and choose some dates. Hotel rooms fill fast, and rental cars are a hot commodity, so go do that right now, and come back once you’ve booked . . .
Plan your trip carefully. Go to shows you know will give you the most choice for your time. If you are buying only one type of product — say slabs, beads, or tools — get yourself a copy of the Tucson Show Guide or research shows online before you get there to find what you are looking for. Go to those shows first, to conquer your shopping list. And, make sure you bring the proper credentials for getting into those shows. Check show websites for details and to register in advance to skip the long lines at the entrances.
Create an ironclad shopping list. Go through your supplies and write down what you use the most, sell the most, or need the most. Attach dollar amounts to that shopping list in the cold light of home, based on what you’ve historically paid. Do not spend more than you listed. I take out cash for each day’s budget, put that in my wallet, and when it’s gone, I’m done. Plain, simple, and easy. But, it takes discipline to do that, and you must have discipline in Tucson.
Create a “Slush Budget” and stick to it. The slush budget is for spontaneous purchases — Tucson is a giant mecca of all things gem and jewelry, and you need to be open to cool, new, wild, weird, or wonderful things you may never see again. It’s good to have some cash for just those kinds of purchases. I keep my slush budget money in my change purse. This year, I’m going for one of those foot tall bronze leopards I saw last year at the African Art village. He’ll look just dandy on my hearth.
Eat a good breakfast every day. It’s hard to go all day in the sun on coffee, nerves, and sheer will. I can do that easily at home, but not in Tucson because of the incredible amount of sensory overload. And, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Get some sleep, too.
Bring a flat rate priority mail box for every day of your trip. And bubble wrap and tape. Go to your room, pack it carefully with purchases, paperwork, and dirty clothes and mail it home the next morning. Some branches of the Tucson post office have evening hours and self serve kiosks. Don’t forget delivery confirmation and insurance. It’s better than dealing with weight, rocks, and tools at the airport, when you are tired and ready to go home.
Shop carefully and carry a notepad, business cards, and extra copies of your resale credentials. Chances are, you’ll see the same things over and over, especially if you are looking for beads. Don’t spend too quickly, because you may get a better price two rows over. Jot down booth numbers, prices, and show names on your shopping list. Look first, buy after some thought. Use your digital camera (with the dealer’s permission) to take a photo of what you want to buy at a particular booth. And remember, you can always ask someone to hold something for you.
Look up and out every now and then. Tucson is a beautiful place. The sky is typically clear, blue, and cloudless. The light is golden and the mountains that ring the city are spectacular. Notice them and remember them. Breathe deep. Remember – if you live back east or up north, there is ice all over everything at home. The shopping can wait.
Talk to strangers. On the free shuttle buses. At the shows. In the aisles, and in the parking lots. You’ll meet other people who share your passion, and they are usually friendly and just as happy as you to be there. They can tell you how to find stuff you might be interested in. Or, you can tell them. Make friends — that’s the best part of going, because you’ll have someone to meet for a quick bite to eat the following year. Exchange information. Eventually, you’ll plan your Tucson trip based on when and where your friends will be going.
Document your trip every night. You’ll be tired, but do it anyway. I tape business cards for leads into my notebook, jot down why I wanted to talk to this person, make a quick sketch, or write down the frame number of the photos I shot of their work. I write down any pertinent information I need to jog my memory when I get back. If I bought something from them, I write that and the prices down as well. You think you’ll remember, but trust me, you won’t.
Where do I go? That’s always what people ask me. I always go to Electric Park. AGTA on its next to last day. GJX on its last day. The African Art village. The “I-10 Strip” has lots of stone dealers and independent cutters. I like to go to the Inn Suites to see the fossils. Definitely the Orchid Dinner. Rio’s Catalog in Motion. The Holidome if I have the mental energy. And this year, the “club show” at the convention center, after the AGTA show packs up and heads home. So, catch me if you can — I’ve been told I can run like a rabbit at gem shows . . .
October 29, 2009
Washington–Opponents of the proposed Pebble Mine have released a new advisory aimed at investors of mining company Anglo American plc that’s designed to raise questions about the controversial project.
The Pebble Mine Project, a joint venture between London-based Anglo American and British Columbia-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., is slated to be a gold and copper mine located at the headwaters of Bristol Bay in southwest Alaska, the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery.
While the mining companies contend the mine would bring much-needed jobs to the area, those who oppose the mine’s construction worry about its environmental impact on the eco-system and, consequently, on the area residents who depend on fishing to make a living.
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