 A BEAD LOVER IN PARADISE!
So what’s all the hype, you wonder? You read about the Tucson shows months in advance in every bead magazine, or hear the buzz at your Byzantine Bracelet class. Everyone’s talking about it.
For those of you who have yet to experience the goodness of Tucson in February, here’s a little explanation for you…
Imagine almost every public venue in one city crammed with beads. Hotels, motels, auditoriums, conventions centers, galleries, warehouses, well… just about every public marketplace in Tucson. It's not just a bead show, either. There are minerals, gems, jewelry, fossils and more for sale. In bulk, or by piece.
This February, between 40 and 50 shows will be buzzing with hungry shoppers. Shop owners filling their stores to the brim, designers scooping up one of a kind pieces for their new jewelry lines, and everyone in between! From beautiful pearls to large slices of watermelon tourmaline drilled like pendants, a visit to Tucson is worth every penny.
How to Prepare for Tucson
If you’re lucky enough to be going this year, let me give you some pointers. Trust me, I’ve been on the shopping end of the scale to the selling end of the scale, and both are fun, exhilarating and exhausting.
 First, have the sense to book your plane ticket and hotel way in advance. I’m talking a year in advance. Otherwise you’ll be in a hotel in a different city or in a squalid little motel that you shouldn’t be staying in. Get some comfy digs in advance so it’s the last thing you have to worry about. You’re going to want to have someplace nice to go to at night to soak your feet, take a hot shower, and get comfy while you go through all your purchases!
Next, save your money. I have designer friends that dropped over $10,000.00 in less than a week and then cried real tears that they didn’t have enough money. Not that you need that much. I wouldn’t plan to go to Tucson with less than a few hundred dollars. Less than that and you’ll be maxing out your credit cards because of the torture of trying to resist the great deals, the tempting new beads, the... well, you get my point.
Dress the Part
So you have your hotel, your airfare, and your money. Let’s pack your suitcase. Mind you, everyone is wearing their finery like peacocks in Tucson. Don’t miss out on the chance to put on that spectacular jewelry you own. But heads up! Don’t wear that new design you’re thinking of teaching this fall. Before you can even put one kit together it will be old news in the bead world. Remember that you’re mingling with designers who have their hawk eye out for inspiration. Don’t  temp them into nabbing your idea. Instead, go for something safe, and then dress as casual as you can to accommodate your beading. I recommend a simple skirt (since Tucson is warm) or some comfy, loose pants with a simple top. The less cumbersome your clothes, the more comfy you’ll be, and the more you’ll be able to endure in the masses.
Shoes are all-important. Go for well fitting shoes that have support, some cushioning and are easy to take on and off. Forget about heels. Don’t doom yourself before you even step out the door. I call that bead-suicide. Now, your bag. Pick a shoulder bag, maybe one you can wear over your shoulder, to keep your important stuff in… such as ID, business cards, copy of your sellers ID, etc. In fact, be smart about it and print your name, address, phone and seller’s ID onto labels, and each person who asks you for that info can get a sticker instead of you hand writing it out a million times. This will save you so much time. Why write when you could be shopping?? Let’s see… you’ll also need some water in your bag, and probably a few pieces of hard candy to give you a sugar burst of energy when you’re tired to hold you over until lunch. Oh, and bring a pen and paper. Please don’t bring a small suitcase on wheels since in most venues you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with people. No kidding. In some venues you’ll be sweating from people being pressed against you while shopping. Can’t be helped. How bad do you want those beads, hm? Pretty bad, people would say.
 Plot your Course
There are shuttles that will take you from one venue to another, but honestly? I think these can be a time waster. It depends on how hard core of a shopper you are. I vote to take my own car to each show, since I can cover a lot more ground. It helps to plan out where you want to go first, and know how to get there. If you’re more of a casual shopper, then the shuttles are great. Just know when the last one leaves for the day so you don’t get stuck somewhere far from your hotel.
At night, after dinner and maybe a wonderful soak in the hotel spa, go over your game plan again. Re-prioritize your list of where you want to go, since time is precious. One mistake I made in the beginning was that I saw something I really liked, but hesitated thinking I could always go back to it later. WRONG! I couldn’t even remember what show I had spotted it at, forget about going back to a show I had already gone to. There is just too much area to explore.
 Tucson the Beautiful
Make sure you take some time to enjoy the city, as well. There are lots of museums, walking paths, shopping venues, restaurants, and more for you to soak up and enjoy. The south west is really beautiful country.
The Bad News…
Sorry to tell you this, but Tucson is winding down. If you missed the opportunity this year, then begin planning now for next year. If the trip is more than your time or cash flow can afford then there’s good news for you! Probably your local bead store is shopping in Tucson and is bringing back all the loot for you to peruse through!!
The Beadin’ Path will be at the following venues this year, selling our baubles, beads and collectibles.
Tucson
Bead Renaissance
Booth 106 February 4th-11th
Monday-Wednesday 10-6pm
Thursday 10-9pm, Friday-Monday 10-6pm
3340 E. Michigan, (next to the Holidrome)
Across the street from the Gem Mall
Tucson, Arizona
The Whole Bead Show
Tucson
Suite 126
February 4th-9th, Friday 10-8pm
Daily 10-6pm
Windmill Inn
4250 North Campbell Ave.
Tucson, Arizona |
