Jill MacKay's BLOG: My Arizona Trip

I just had a wonderful 3 weeks in AZ which was just fantastic & warm! I got to stay with my brother Kenny and sister-in-law Anne while working at the CREATIVATION show which was at the Phoenix convention center. I was in the Sizzix booth helping to represent my line of dies and the rest of the new jewelry program they have created.
I have been working the CHA shows (now Creativation) for over 20 years and being at the shows are a wonderful time for so many reasons. Seeing old friends and new. It's a non-stop love fest of creative people I adore!

Here is Jo Packham who gave me the wonderful opportunity to be in Where Women Create Magazine. She is really an amazing woman. Love her!

Here are some of my favorite friends Tamara Honaman, Kristal Wick and Kellie DeFires

Next it was off to Prescott to visit Katie Hacker at Halstead Beads where she now works. Wow what a great place, both the location and the company. Such good people, great studio, wonderful products! Really a wonderful trip.

On the drive up to Prescott!

I stayed at the Hasayampa Inn which is an historic hotel that was fantastic and had a great restaurant. Loved it and will stay there on my next visit.

Next my wonderful daughter Ashley flew in to visit myself and her Aunt Anne and Uncle Kenny (back in Phoenix) we had a blast going to the Coyotes hockey game together. Which is something we always do with Kenny Anne who have season tickets and two extra excellent seats!

Before Ashley left we got to see the Heard Museum. A premier Native American museum in downtown Phoenix. It was great. Then Ash was off back to GA and back to work.

THEN IT WAS TIME FOR THE TUCSON GEM SHOW! WHOOT! Tammy and I rented a sweet little place right on the river walk and it is always so nice to have a place with a dear friend to come home and make ourselves at home after long days of working. I make it sound grueling, when in fact it is one of my favorite things each and every year that I get to do. I am blessed. So I am just going to barrage you with photos now so you can get a small glimpse of the week in Tucson.

Let's not forget the 2017 Beads of Courage bracelet making event with my favorite jewelry making people. Oh my gosh just writing this out for you to see reminds me of how blessed I am with the work I do and the wonderful relationships I have developed over the years. This was my second time leading one of the round robin tables and it was lots of fun and we raised some good money for this great organization.

I'll leave you with one of the photos from dinner after work with some amazing women, June, Jamie, Kristal and Leslie in the Catina being loud and loving life!