Week 2 at the 2013 Gem Shows in Tucson

by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com

Tucson Show Report for
February 13, 2013

Lots to see in Tucson!

Oh my goodness! This was my 3rd trip to Tucson and I still found new and amazing things! From earrings made from real butterfly wings to gorgeous gemstone beads and carvings, many of the shows had new things among the beads, scarves, minerals, and gifts we find each year.

The favorite shows I visited besides the JOGS show were the Best Bead Show, the Holidome, and the RV Show. And you wouldn’t believe what we woke up to on Saturday morning:

That’s right, SNOW! What gives? But it was gone by about 9:30. So much for a winter storm – this is Tucson!

Yep – no time, the sun came through, and everything was back to normal!

I found some grossular garnet like we talked about a couple weeks ago – although at $50 a sample, I only took a picture as a souvenier.

Layna’s favorite stone is Pietersite, so I had to get a good picture of these carved pietersite elephants for her – they are about a foot tall and more than two feet wide!

I picked up some beautiful charms from Andrew Thornton at Green Girl Studios and also these stunning peacock beads from Pricilla Beads, and a beautiful waterlily pendant from Lumina Inspirations:

And yes, I had to bring some tools home from JewelryTools.com after seeing teachers using them and making them look sooooo tempting! I got a 1.8mm round punch plier, a weighted rawhide hammer (does a much better job than my old featherweight one), and a brass brush for finishing hammered metal surfaces. I’ve already put them to work, mmm mmm mmmm!

Now, I think I have some more pictures around here… do you want to see more pictures next week from Tucson, or do you want a wire jewelry tip? Leave a comment below with your vote!

 

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37 Comments

1. 

   rhoda

   February 13, 2013 at 6:50 am

   I want BOTH!!!!!!!!! ^_^
2. 

   Becky Respess

   February 13, 2013 at 6:52 am

   Rose,

   I loved seeing your pictures. Especially the one of your new tools.

   Becky
3. 

   Rebecca House

   February 13, 2013 at 6:59 am

   I vote for more Tucson! I was there, too, and wish I still were. I saw those Pietersite elephants at JOGS. *sigh*
4. 

   Isabel J. Ayers

   February 13, 2013 at 7:06 am

   I like the pictures; I love gemstones. Some, especially Labradorite and Moonstone, give me a great peaceful feeling holding them. The Pietersite elephants are gorgeous!
5. 

   Jeanne Lyons

   February 13, 2013 at 7:29 am

   I’d love more pics, but do have any close ups of stones?
6. 

   Barbara Harris

   February 13, 2013 at 7:58 am

   More photos from Tucson please.
7. 

   Rachel Strickland

   February 13, 2013 at 8:00 am

   MORE PICS.
8. 

   Rachel Strickland

   February 13, 2013 at 8:13 am

   I love living vicariously through you. I doubt that I will ever have the opertunity to attend a Tuson show so it is wonderful to be able to see what’s new, the unsual and stuff that is just plane pretty. Tell the vendors that I appreciate them allowing you to photograph their wares and use their name so I can purchase some of these treasures. Keep the pics coming.
   Thanks, Rachel

   BTW tools are of great intrest so more pics of those would be great.
9. 

   DeLane

   February 13, 2013 at 8:24 am

   Rose,
   The pictures from Tucson were beautiful. But, I could not be there. So I would definitely prefer to have jewelry tips, please.
   DeLane Cox
10. 

    Reba

    February 13, 2013 at 8:25 am

    I want both!
11. 

    Barbara Dowd

    February 13, 2013 at 9:40 am

    I would rather have a tip….I find them very helpful.

    Thanks for asking.
12. 

    Joani mULLEN

    February 13, 2013 at 9:43 am

    MORE PICS FROM TUCSON PLEASE !
13. 

    Margaret Delaney

    February 13, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Hi I live in Scotland UK and there is no way I will ever get to Tucson. I love all your pictures and comments so please just for Tucson I would love the pictures from there.
    I am in The Scottish Mineral And Lapidary Club and just adore all you do.
    The postage is too dear for me……..

    Margaret
14. 

    Betty Burkhart

    February 13, 2013 at 10:34 am

    I want to see more pictures since I have never gone to a show before this is very interesting.
15. 

    dustyj

    February 13, 2013 at 11:04 am

    More pics and tools – not quite as good as being there but enjoyable none-the-less!
16. 

    Beverly Brown

    February 13, 2013 at 11:18 am

    Hi Rose…. wish I could have been in Tuscon this year. It’s on my bucket list. I really enjoyed your photos… especially the tools; thanks for featuring tools for the more “serious” artists. I would also like to see more close-up views of the gemstones at Tuscon…. the pietersite elephants too. Thanks for sharing so much with us.
17. 

    Emilie Jefferson

    February 13, 2013 at 11:37 am

    Both is really good, I hear Turquoise from sleeping beauty mine , is the best Turquoise, is that right, Wish I was there.
    have fun. Emilie
18. 

    Rhonda Rogers

    February 13, 2013 at 11:54 am

    I want both.
19. 

    Virginie

    February 13, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    Did you take a picture of the earrings made from real butterfly wings? Tucson is only once a year… So I vote for more pictures, and also pictures of what you made with your finds in Tucson! I like when you guys are getting a little bit more “personal” (and still professional of course). It makes me feel Wire Sculpture is like a big family with the same passion, rather than just a jewelry supply company!!
20. 

    Terry

    February 13, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I love both! …agree with Rachel on vendor names as well!
21. 

    Belinda

    February 13, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Those of us that will never get to Tucson, want more photos but it would be cool if you could encorporate a tip from a vendor that you’ve visited!
22. 

    lynn

    February 13, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    more picture
23. 

    Anna Winter

    February 13, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Tips and photos both would be great!!!
24. 

    Mary Daves

    February 13, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    More photos, we can get regular things the rest of the year but there is only one Tucson show.
25. 

    Bobbi helms

    February 13, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Photos, please! Those of,us on the east coast are sooooooo jealous!
26. 

    Barbara

    February 13, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    Yes, please more pictures. I look forward to going to the show in Tucson, someday.
27. 

    Pam Glendinning

    February 13, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    LOVE the pictures! Thank you for including them in this blog!
28. 

    Pam

    February 13, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    I love that waterlily pendant bead. Who made it? Is there a retail site where I might buy one? Thanks.

    pam
    • 

      Rose

      February 25, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Pam, the pendant is from Lumina Inspirations. Thanks!
29. 

    Carol

    February 13, 2013 at 9:39 pm

    Spoil me. I’d love to see both! I really like seeing the new tools. But I also love seeing the gem specimens.
30. 

    beverly bishop

    February 14, 2013 at 12:02 am

    Of course since I live here in Tucson and am attending some of the shows, I vote for more tips. We didn’t get any snow on sat on the sw side, that I wish I could have seen. It doesn’t happen very often to get snow in town. That hole punch is a super tool to have and a good size for ear wires. It saves me having to drag out the drill press to make holes for just a few pieces. Those elephants must be amazing in person. I adore blue pietersite and have bought some to cab at past shows. To all on this site…..if you ever get a chance to attend these shows it is worth the effort and money spent. There’s nothing like being here and experiencing the season. BeBeaz
31. 

    Terri

    February 16, 2013 at 6:35 am

    I vote more TUCSON. Maybe some tips for people planning to go next year… Where to stay, how to navigate, etc.
32. 

    RozzyD

    February 18, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Both Please. Loved viewing the pics, but equally enjoy learning, and could always use a new tip.
33. 

    Sheila

    February 19, 2013 at 7:32 am

    I want to follow the leaders, both please. I think alot of us my have got snow that week. I’m here in Virginia, you weren’t alone on the snow part. Only thing I was missing were the beads. More of Tucson pleazzzz:)
34. 

    Chuni Lu

    April 3, 2013 at 10:19 am

    Hi Rose,

    Just saw your post that mentioned our Waterlily bead. Thanks! If you make something with it, please share it with me.
35. 

    Sheila Justice

    May 5, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    The LLANOITE Stone in the photo is a rare material called Llanite. It can also be found as Llanoite or Llanolite. It comes from an area near Llano, Texas.

    The dark brown base material is granitic in nature. The pink spots are bits of feldspar, and the blue flashy areas are phenocrysts of quartz colored blue by included minerals. The quartz flashes similar to moonstone.
36. 

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