Back from Tucson and I have to say I had a mighty fine time...mighty fine.
We left home mid-morning, stopping at the Klatch for coffee to take on the road. Better get the really good stuff before leaving since we were unsure of the coffee situation in Tucson. And the drive? Blue skies and a bit cold. The landscape turns brown rather quickly and we drive along, looking for anything interesting to take a photo of. These things always look so science fiction to me.
We stop for petrol and happen upon the General Patten museum.
He's pretty serious looking and I wonder what the story is on the dog.
There are mechanical animals...dangerous looking ones.
We arrive in Tucson in the early evening, still light but not for long. It's getting cold but not as frigid as it has been. Set up isn't until the next morning. One show ends and another one begins.
We get up early, 6am, and I think maybe I really am not that much of a morning person. Poor Danielle is a night owl and takes photos of the morning sky to prove that she did indeed get up before the sun came up. I tell her I will vouch for her if anyone says the photo was taken in the evening. We set up and I feel excitement and anticipation. I haven't done a lot of shows but enough to have a certain order to things which makes setting up quick and organized.
I like the look of my table, the mix of materials, wood and fabric, beads, metal and glass.
I display pieces that have taken me a few months to complete and know everyone will ask "How long did that take?"
I purchased some buttons to sell. Beautiful buttons. I will have to show you some that I purchased for myself from a vendor at the show. I set the beaded eye candy around the table. I'm happy I got a photo of the button bracelet sitting in front of the basket because a lady came by and purchased it.
And look who came along!
It was high time Mr Bill and Alien got to go on a trip. To say they had a fun time is definitely an understatement.
They scampered all over the table.
Mr Bill got revenge for the little bondage game Alien had played in New Jersey.
They finally settled down when I put them in the case.
Order once again resumed. As much as it can be without spoiling all the fun, anyway.
One thing that I think I enjoy the most about shows are the people I meet. There are always colorful people around, unafraid to express themselves. This is Colleen Loader. She had a table in the corner of the room. Of course I loved the hat. She had quite a few fun little hats but unfortunately, I don't have long enough hair to keep such a thing on my head. And the glasses were really fun too.
And then it seemed, as quickly as it all began, the show was over. It's amazing how quickly the days fly by. And then you pack everything up, breaking down the table or tearing down it is usually called. And the next morning we sleep in as much as we can, load up the car. But first there is a stop we plan to make. Breakfast. And then coffee. But not just any coffee. We are headed to Savaya Coffee Market where it is reputed to have the best coffee in Tucson. After suffering through Starbucks coffee, we need the real thing. And when we get there we were upset. Why? Had we known it was that close, we wouldn't have had to suffer by drinking Starbucks coffee.
This place is the real deal. They roast their own beans.
They serve coffee and nothing else.
I enjoy my cup of joe. Yes, with cream and sugar. I am still a bit of a wimp when it comes to black coffee. But it is fine. Real fine.
I like the barrels of coffee beans and think it is a really wonderful thing to find a coffee shop so serious about their product. And great for us to find a shop that cares about what they serve.
The drive home was thankfully, uneventful. And I was tired, so tired when I arrived home. And now there's all the unpacking, putting away of things. My head is full of impressions and ideas.
A big thank you to everyone that came by to see me and to purchase from me at the show!
It was a fantastic time and I am planning to do this show again. But for now, a little rest is in order once I get things in order.
I hope everyone is having a fantastic week!