Tucson Post (finally!)

Leaving the Tucson Gem Show is always hard for me to do, as it is one of the highlights of my year, every year. This year was no exception. My stay was far to short and went by all too quickly. I couldn't make it to all the shows and didn't get to visit with all the great people that travel here every year to exhibit and attend. Though here's a few shots of the wonderful people, places and flavors from the 2009 Tucson Gem Show...enjoy!

 

Walking back from this year's hottest show (the Holidome) passing Lucky Gems where I get those cool velvet purses every year!  Something new this year, attendance was so low that there was a guy in a truck pulling a huge banner for the JOGGS show up and down the side of the road at the Holidome!! I've never seen anything like that before!!

 

A feasts for the eyes! The largest Chevron beads I've ever seen in my whole life!!!

This picture is so jewelry juicy with gems! Love it!

True to the trends I saw lots of big bangles and encrusted cuffs.

The ever brilliant Candice Wakumoto and her wonderful husband Paul putting up with me asking for photos! These are two of the nicest people, they have  between them a great sense of humor and I can't get enough of laughing and being silly with them. So nice, so fun! I love talking to them and as always seeing her work....it's AMAZING!! Holy Heck...talk about talented....wow!

One of Candice's new pieces... love the skulls and the snails Candice!!!(NOTE* I stole this photo from the wonderful Andrew Thornton cuz his picture came out better than mine!!! Thank you Andrew...and here he is now...)

Ahhh wonderful Andrew... Don't you just LOVE people that always make you feel welcome and cared about? I sure do and Andrew is always welcoming....and believe me Andrew...it does not go unnoticed and your kindness is not wasted on me! Hey in last year's photo I caught you looking like a magical elf, this year the picture behind you almost looks like you have a on a crown!! Such Royalty! Check out his blog by clicking HERE!

 

The Swarovski lair was at great new location this year and as always party night was a great place to find many favorite people in one location having fun in Tucson...

 

Here's the wonderful Katie Hacker who just had yet another wonderful book come out which she co-authored with friends and colleagues Margot Potter and Fernando DaSilva! Congratulations All! Katie was also just asked to be one of a select few designers to act as an ambassador for Swarovski! Kudos Katie!!!  You deserve all the fabulous success! Check out Katie's wonderful beading blog by clicking HERE!

 

Bead & Wire Jewelry Exposed by Fernando DaSilva, Katie Hacker & Margot Potter!

 

This photo does not do these handsome gentlemen justice as it is blurry, but they are fast becoming two of my favorite people, not to mention admired designers, inventors and industry experts! The ever popular Wyatt White and the aforementioned Fernando DaSilva.  I will never get over the ingenuity and imagination that continues to pour out of these two! More importantly...they are WAY FUN!

She who never takes a bad photo the fabulous Margot Potter! Congratulations to  her as well for the wonderful new book! Check out her fabulous necklace! This photo does not do it justice, trust me it rocked! Absolutely beautiful! Check Margot out by clicking HERE!

 

Now if those aren't happy smiles I don't know what is. This is the wonderful, genuine, Betcey from Beyond Beadery. Wonderful woman, exceptionally talented designer not to mention astute business woman. Congratulations on returning to the beauty of the Rocky mountains and for your 25th year of successful business Betcey! You Rock! She is also my neighbor at the Bead and Button Show!

 

Incredible, hard working, talented, crazy woman and editor of Bead Unique Magazine and my friend Pam Hawkins doing business when she should be partying!!! Okay well partying and doing business...hey having all those designers in one place is a real time saver no doubt!

 

The dichroic glass queen and my very dear friend Paula Radke. This is one talented , wonderful woman. Love this lady! Looking forward to doing some projects together!

 

Here's a great shot of Vin (Vincent Scalera) of Swarovski. Who was my and several other women's dance partner as he was the only man dancing...at least when I was dancing! Love a man who dances! Vin is very gracious as well... I was late and completely missed a meeting with him and he was very  kind to me and gracious about it! I felt terrible! Thank you Vin!

Here are  a couple of more show shots just to make you drool!

 

Emeralds, Rubies and Sapphires!

 

Gemstone strands galore at rock bottom prices! I nearly bought some London Blue Topaz but I resisted! I did shop trust me, but I managed to stay away from the truly expensive!!!

 

This shot cracks me up! One day on the way back to the hotel from a day of show hopping my navigator (who shall remain nameless) wanted to nap on the way home and couldn't deal with the bright afternoon Arizona sun. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!! Hahaha!

Enjoy, Spring is near!

xoxo

Jill

Comments

[Mei]

Wow! Dizzy! Dizzy! by all the gems and people whose name are very familiar in the gems, bead and jewelry world.
Enjoyed the post very much.

Hi! (bit late:)) I am Mei and I am into wire jewelry.

[Andrew Thornton]

Hey Jill MacKay! It was so nice to see you in Tucson! You're one of the nicest and most humble people I know. Tucson is one of the highlights of my year as well. It certainly is a place where all my favorite people seem to converge.

You know I'm going to take you up on your invitation to visit. I'm curious to check out your sculpture studio. Just a matter of time.

Keep your chin up and keep plugging along... I guess that's all we can do.

[Andrew Thornton]

P.S. I think your camera keeps capturing little snippets of hidden realities, impossible and improbable, but utterly delightful!

[pamela hawkins]

YOUR so cool!!!!

I love you to death! Not only for snaping me in your blog photos from Tucson, but for putting a lovely link in here too!

YOU ROCK LAUGHING DORK!

Your devoted friend
Pamela Hawkins (aka-Queen Dork)

[Andrew Thornton]

Guuuurrrrl, you best be needin' to update! That's been over a month since you last done did. Recognize!

[tungsten carbide rings]

Thank you for bringing up this its so cool having one of this jewelry's was a totally awesome.

rhianne