[Jewelry making - Article 01090] - Re: [Orchid] Tucson panic

[MillsGem]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

Dear Karen,

    Please don't be intimidated by the size and scope of the Tucson
    shows. You have indicated, however, that you are going to be limited
    timewise and, therefore, you can't possibly take it all in. This
    suggests to me that you should decide beforehand which shows to
    attend and which not to attend. I have been going to Tucson off and
    on for four decades and I have also been a dealer in the TGMs show.
    I have never been able to cover all the shows.....there are just too
    many of them and they are too spread out. ( Tucson is probably one
    of the most spread out cities in America ) The smart thing to do is
    to get ahold of the Colored Stone Show Guide on your p.c. and study
    what each show has to offer. You will find that some shows are
    highly specialized. some are small and out of the way, and some are
    huge and highly diversified. The big shows that are supposedly
    wholesale only require documentation to enter and there can be long
    waits to get in. Wholesale versus retail is a fantasy. You can get a
    great wholesale deal just about anywhere if the seller is so
    inclined and if you are willing to part with significant quantities
    of cash. Conversely, if you have wangled your way into one of the
    "wholesale only" shows nobody is going to argue about what you
    are.....your cash will be your credentials. Yes, there are rules
    that attempt to regulate Tucson commerce, but the old saying goes
    "rules are made to be broken" And, while I certainly don't advocate
    anarchy, I do support free enterprise and the concept of "wheeling
    and dealing" The medieaval guild attitudes are mostly about chicken
    plucking and turfdom........My favorite show is the G&LW show at the
    Holidome.....it seems to have something for everyone and it is so
    large that one could spend his entire visit there. I also like the
    freewheeling bizarre bazars along Motel Row. These have an almost
    carnival atmosphere where you are most likely to find the offbeat
    things that appeal to some. If you want fine gems and can qualify
    for entrance the AGTA show is the place to be.....you'd better have
    a deep line of credit ! The GJX is also very large and has a great
    selection of primarily cut stones. There are bead shows, fashion
    shows, fossil shows, jewelry shows, mineral shows and junk
    shows......"name yer pizen" 

    As for overnight accomodations you might just be in trouble. In past
    years I have had no trouble getting nice accomodations out in the
    Marana district. This year seems to be booked very heavily and all
    the better places have doubled their rates. In a worst case
    scenario, you might have to go to Phoenix. Phoenix is only an hour
    and a half and the shows don't really get going until ten a.m. 

    Have a ball.....there is nothing in the world that compares with the
    Tucson shows. You will be addicted ! 

Ron Mills at 
Mills Gem Company, Los Osos,Ca.

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________