10 Things to Know About Gem Shows in Tucson

Large mineral at the UArizona Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum. — Mineral on display at the Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum.

1. The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show® (TGMS) is the original.

When the Tucson Gem + Mineral Society held their inaugural show in the 1970s, it was the first of its kind, welcoming both professionals and the public. It continues to be the largest gem and mineral show in the world!

2. TGMS takes place annually in mid-February.

The 2024 show is scheduled for February 8-11.
Show hours are typically 10am-6pm, except for the final day (Sunday), when it closes at 4pm.
It takes place at the Tucson Convention Center in Downtown Tucson.

Ticket sales for the 2024 show will start January 11, 2024. Purchase through the TCC Box Office (520-791-4101) or Ticketmaster.

3. Regular TGMS admission is $13, but there are discounts!

Single-Day Admission Prices

$13 for adults and teens (ages 15+).
Free entry for youth (ages 14 and under) with a paid adult admission.

Where to find TGMS Discounts…

Coupon: Your best bet is to watch the TGMS page closer to the event date for a flyer that includes a $3 off coupon.
2-day pass: If you’ll be spending a couple days at the show, buying a 2-day pass ($22) will save you $4.
Military + Senior Citizens: There’s a discount day during the show when anyone who is over 62 years old and/or active or retired military receives $3 off admission. (In 2023, it was the Friday of the show.)

These discounts are an either/or situation. They can’t be combined.

On a tight budget? Don’t forget to factor in parking costs! See #9 below to learn about the lowest-cost options and transit alternatives.

4. A single show has sprouted several weeks of shows!

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show may be the original, but it’s far from the only show in town! Over the years, more and more shows have sprung up around it, creating an entire gem and mineral show season. In fact, there are dozens that take place from about late January to mid February.

Some shows might specialize in a specific type of gem or minerals imported from a certain part of the world.

Booths in the African Village marketplace at the Tucson Gem Show — Phillip walks through the African Art Village.

To avoid confusion with the original Tucson Gem & Mineral Show [registered trademark], these other shows are collectively known as the Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase or simply the “Gem Show.” Most of them are free, open to the public, and take place about late January to mid February.

5. An entire African art marketplace pops up during the Gem Show!

One very special show is the African Art Village, which happens on the Mercado District Festival Grounds.

Jewelry designer Aissatou Bamba Kemoko — Jewelry designer Aïssatou Bamba Kemoko.

It’s an outdoor marketplace with many different vendors selling artisan products imported from Nigeria, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Morocco, and across the African continent.

Abstract artwork. — Abstract paintings by artist Harouna Ouédraogo.

While some of the items would fit under the “gem and mineral” heading, there is much more variety than that.

Abstract artist Caszi B. with his paintings. — Abstract artist Casimir Bationo (“Caszi”) and some of his work.

You can find beautifully carved wooden furniture and figurines, jars of shea butter and black soap, baskets, bags, traditional masks, textiles, oversized necklaces, djembe drums, and even contemporary art!

6. There’s a lot to see in the Mineral District, where it tends to be less hectic.

As you head north of Speedway on Granada/Main/Oracle, you’ll start to see some gem shops and warehouses. This is where you’ll find the 1801 Oracle / Mineral Village Show, Rock Yard Show, and Mineral City Show, which boasts over 100 mineral vendors in one location. Even with all that, these shows tend to be a bit less crowded and easier for more casual shoppers to just pop in and out of.

7. Gem Shows set up in some unusual locations around Tucson.

You can find them outside warehouses, taking over hotel parking lots, crammed into a jewelry store or lobby, on festival grounds, and inside ginormous tent-like structures that are assembled solely for this purpose.

Visit Tucson creates a full list each year of show dates and locations and which ones are wholesalers-only.

8. Hotel rooms fill up fast.

If you’re coming in from out of town, make sure you have a place to stay well in advance. Hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and all types of lodging get more difficult to find and more expensive as you approach the gem show dates.

In fact, February is the most expensive month to stay in Tucson, according to Google Hotels “When to Visit!”

Apparently, you can call Visit Tucson Visitor Information Services at 1-800-638-8350, if you have trouble finding accommodations.

9. You’ve got a wide range of options for getting around.

Sun Link Street Car:

Currently free to ride – and will be through at least June 30, 2023.
Easily get to the 22nd Street Shows and African Art Village by riding to the western end of the line in the Mercado District.
Also convenient gem show stops at the Tucson Convention Center (where TGMS happens), 4th Avenue, and Main Gate Square.

GemRide Shuttle:

The free shuttles that traveled between gem show locations in past years were discontinued during COVID. I’m not sure if/when this will resume.

Driving:

If you do drive, take it slow! Streets near shows can get congested with sudden stops due to bottlenecks at entrances or trucks loading/unloading. In addition, there are more people walking around and wandering across the street where you wouldn’t expect them to.

metal figurines — Metalwork at the African Village in Tucson.

Where to Park…

Gem Show parking isn’t super expensive, but it is something to factor in if you’re on a tight budget. Or if you just don’t like unexpected costs popping up.

TGMS: Parking at the Tucson Convention Center is $10/day. Other parking options in the area will be around $3-10.
22nd Street Mineral, Fossil, Gem + Jewelry Show makes a big deal about their free admission. But it costs $10 to park there. Which is kind of like charging admission for your car.
Parking for the Mercado District (including the African Village) is $5 during the Gem Show.
Shows in the Mineral City area typically have free street parking.
Park Tucson has more information on downtown Gem Show Parking.

empty tent structure — A gem show exhibition space in the process of post-show disassembly – with Downtown Tucson buildings in the background.

10. You can see gems and minerals in Tucson year round!

After Gem Show season, once all the crystals have been crated up and tents taken down, rockhounds can still find some hidden gems!

mineral museum display — Minerals on display at Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum.

Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum

This University of Arizona museum features illuminating displays and hands-on exhibits. The collection began in 1892!

Located: 115 N. Church Ave. in the Old Pima County Courthouse
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm
Admission: $15/adults, $5/children

crystal — Crystal display at the Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum.

Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery

I haven’t been inside yet, but the newly-opened space has 5 different dealer showrooms, a cafe and bar on site, and promises to be a “perfect setting in which to relax and enjoy a stunning selection of the world’s finest mineral specimens.”

Located: 465 W. Saint Mary’s Rd.
Open: Monday – Friday, 10am-4pm and select weekends (next up: May 12-14, 10am-6pm)

Tucson Geodes + Gems

Large gemstone art wall hangings, floor lamps, and sculptures and other home decor items. We happened to walk by just after they’d moved into La Encantada – even before it was on the mall’s directory!

Located: 2905 E. Skyline Dr., Level 1 of La Encantada Shopping Center (just a couple doors down from Creative Kind)
Mall hours: Monday – Wednesday, 10am-7pm / Thursday – Saturday, 10am-8pm / Sunday 11am-6pm (Store hours may vary.)

Drutopia

A curated selection of crystals, plants, and handmade plant hangers at the Dunbar Pavilion by the sweet and knowledgeable Drew Berryhill. His shop is outdoors year-round, centered under a large ramada.

Located: 325 W. 2nd St. is the Dunbar’s address. However, you’ll find Drutopia closer to the northwest corner of University and 11th Ave.
Open: Thursday – Sunday, 10am-5:30pm

Mineral Artisan

Home goods made from polished stones and geodes. Their display is the first thing you see as you walk into the merchant collective Proper Shops, which just opened at the end of 2022.

Located: 300 E. Congress St., inside Proper Shops, across from Hotel Congress
Open: Thursday – Friday, 3-8pm / Saturday 11am-9pm / Sunday 11am-5pm

Earrings by Little Toro Designs, who made This Is Tucson’s list.

Check out #ThisIsTucson’s list of 9 places to get gems, jewelry, minerals, and meteorites year-round for more recommendations!

Fall Show

Finally, if you just can’t wait a whole year to get your Gem Show on, there is a smaller fall gem show that happens in time for holiday shopping.

The next one is August 31 – September 3, 2023. It’ll include JOGS Gem + Jewelry Show at the Tucson Expo Center (tickets $15 general public, free for wholesalers) and Colors of the Stone with To Bead True Blue + Artisan Workshops at Casino Del Sol (free).

March 25, 2020May 23, 2023

Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival: Part 2

While the Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival has great fabric and pattern vendors (some of which we featured in Part 1 of this post), that’s not all that’s there.

Quilt shop clock — Quilt shop cuckoo clock from Cheryl Ann’s Design Walls booth

You can find booths for guilds and organizations devoted to keeping handmade traditions alive. There also are lots of vendors selling tools, embellishments, and materials that go along with quilting and other types of crafting. It’s impressive how many of them have invented, made, or designed the products they’re selling!

Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival: Patterns + Fabric

Tools

Pauline’s Quilters World – Pauline Rogers invented the Sasher, a small plastic tool, shaped to make it quicker to fold and press strips of fabric. She also created the Quilt As You Go technique and wrote The Quilt As You Go Handbook (QAYG).

Based in Queensland, Australia.
I learned about the worldwide efforts to craft for recovering Australian wildlife from her Facebook page.
FB: PaulinesQuiltersWorld
IG: paulinesquiltersworld
Tw: quiltersworld
YouTube: Pauline Rogers

Crafting for Australia

Tailor Made Tables, LLC – Sewing machine repair and sewing extension tables custom-made to fit your machine by Dean the Table Guy.

Made in San Tan Valley, AZ.

Thread Cutterz – Invention featured on Shark Tank to easily cut thread or fishing line. You can wear it on a ring, or it can mount flat to the side of your sewing machine.

Lakeside Scissors Sales – Specializing in hard to find small tools, they have bins and bins of scissors, pliers, magnifying glasses, and other gadgets.

Cheryl Ann’s Design Walls – These are portable, freestanding fabric surfaces for laying out quilt squares. Instructors can use them for demonstrations. They’re also helpful at quilter get-togethers where design wall space is limited – like quilting classes, retreats, and guild meetings.

Now a part of Off The Wall Quilt.
Free patterns + project of the month tutorials.
YouTube: Julie Luoma / AnglePlay + Off the Wall Quilt

Embellishments + Accessories

Uniquely Crafts, LLC – Family-owned business specializing in 5D Diamond Art Kits, a craft project where you create a picture using a special tool and a type of beads (“diamonds”) with a flat, sticky back. It’s kind of like paint-by-number with rhinestones.

We met both Stan and Amy Regal at their booth.
Amy designs their kits.
They offer a selection of 5D diamond kits for kids.
FB: UniquelyCraftsLLC
IG: uniquely_crafts

Custom Keepsakes – Heirloom sewing and machine embroidery in the style of vintage handiwork. They had lots of adorable little dresses on display to showcase their Heirloom Collection.

Fountain Square Signs

African Everything / Maendeleo Imports – I met Rashawnda Ogwel, who was standing in for her mother-in-law, the entrepreneur and importer known as “Basket Mary.” They continue to offer gorgeous handcrafted products from across Africa, like Ghanaian baskets and batik wall hangings from Tanzania.

Booth at Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8am – 1pm).
Online shop.
IG: @africanbaskets

Phoenix from the Convention Center

Wooly Felted Wonders – A reusable alternative to dryer sheets or fabric softener, Wooly Felted Wonders are dryer balls made from 100% New Zealand wool and ethically handcrafted in Nepal. The company also sells other felted wool accessories, like bags, hot pads, and cat caves.

FB: woolyfeltedwonders
IG: woolyfeltedwonders

Chenille-It – This bias tape comes in a rainbow of colors and provides a shortcut for getting the frayed-edge look of of chenille in quilting and sewing projects.

Sew Many Creations specializes in natural cork fabric, which is a renewable material that’s sturdy enough to use as a leather alternative for bags and wallets, yet thin enough to stitch with a regular sewing machine. They sell different colors and sizes of cork fabric, as well as patterns and hardware kits for bags. Owner Jessica VanDenburgh has also designed fabric lines for Windham fabrics and leads workshops and weekend bag-making retreats.

Square in a Square – A series of quilting-centric novels by Jodi Barrows, who is also the creator of the Square in a Square quilting technique.

Free patterns.

Karen and Chuck Nolke were back with their ever-changing array of unique handcrafted earrings and scarf rings!

Etsy: karennolke
IG: karennolke

2018 Quilt, Craft + Sewing Festival

Guilds

These organizations are devoted to a particular type of craft. They are usually open to anyone interested in it, regardless of skill level. While they may have annual dues or membership fees, you can almost always attend a meeting or two for free to see if you’d like to get more involved.

Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA), whose raison d’être is “because a world without needle art would be pointless” was represented by local chapter EGA Desert Threaders.

The Desert Threaders meet the 4th Wednesday of the month at 9:30am in Phoenix.
Free patterns.
FB: EGAUSA
IG: ega_usa
Tw: egausa
YouTube: egausa

Modern Embroidery

Phoenix Area Quilters Association (PAQA) – Organization with quilt programs, speakers, quilt challenges, blocks of the month, quilts for charity, prizes, and these adorable little cactus pincushions!

Meets on first Thursday of each month in Phoenix.
FB: PhoenixAQA

Lacey Ladies of Arizona – Gathering of women who craft with or make lace. They host an annual Lace Day celebration in the Phoenix area in November.

Chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc. (IOLI).
Hosting the 2020 IOLI National Convention in Mesa in July.

Arizona Desert Weavers and Spinners Guild (ADWSG) – Friendly fiber arts group that sponsors informational activities and demonstrates weaving and spinning skills at schools, craft fairs, and other community events.

Phoenix meetings on the first Saturday of month (October through May).
FB group: ADWSG

Craft Camp

We were guests of the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival.

January 31, 2020September 2, 2021

Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival: Patterns + Fabric

It’s Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival weekend in Phoenix!

Last year, I went to two days of the Festival – one with my Mom and one with sister-in-law Dinah and friend Kelli.

The first day, we ended up parking in a lot that was actually meant to be for a dog show, which we needed to walk through to get to our Festival.

The second day, I parked there on purpose. We walked past booths of dog stuff and people with impeccably groomed and well-mannered dogs. I really wanted to ask one of them if their dog was available to tutor our little rascal Quijote. But that’s not why we were there.

Walking into the Festival building meant being surrounded by a dazzling array of colors and patterns, handcrafted items, crafty inventions, and big ticket items like long arm sewing machines. It was fun to check in with favorite vendors from the past, meet new ones, and see things I hadn’t before.

Pocket Change booth — Pocket Change Fabric

Here are some of the fabric and pattern exhibitors we saw in 2019, plus their booth numbers at the Phoenix 2020 show. (Info about vendors for tools, accessories, and food is in Part 2!)

Patterns

Orange Dot Quilts has original quilt and bag patterns by owner/designer Dora Cary. I love her bold, modern designs!

Etsy Shop
IG: orangedotquilts
#916-917

On Williams Street – Sisters Kimie Tanner and Missy Winona offer quilt patterns, longarm quilting services, and even custom quilts!

FB: onwilliamsstreet
IG: onwilliamsstreet

The Cottage Rose Quilt Pattern Originals – Deb Eggers of The Cottage Rose created a pattern for a fabric Parcheesi board! You can just roll it up and take it with your for camping or traveling. The kit comes with the game pieces and pattern includes a little pouch to keep them in. She also made some adorable little fabric owls.

Original patterns.
FB: cottagerosequilt
#805

More The Merrier Designs – Offers patterns for art quilts and embroidery, with instructions meant to be usable by crafters at any skill level.

FB: MoreTheMerrierDesigns

Bobbie G. Designs – Embroidery, cross-stitch, and quilting patterns in a shared booth space with More the Merrier. I was drawn in by their cute vintage camper cross-stitch!

Calico Patch Designs – Vicki McCarty is a pattern and MARCUS Fabric designer, who likes to incorporate wool and cotton appliqué into her quilts. Her “Homespun Appeal” pattern (above) was featured on the cover of Quilt Sampler Magazine (Fall 2018). Currently, “Rabbit Patches Runner,” made from a pattern she designed and fabrics from her line, is on the cover of Primitive Quilts (Spring 2020).

Calico Patch Quilt Shop located in Morehead, Kentucky.
FB: calicopatchdesigns
IG: calicopatchdesigns
Tw: CalicoPatchDsn

England Design – Cynthia England was back with examples of her signature picture piecing method of quilting. True to its name, you can use this technique to make a quilt that looks like picture instead of the abstract shapes you traditionally see in quilts.

#641-642

Fabric

Bear Paw Quilts – Their (multiple) Seattle Seahawks fabrics caught my eye, and, yes, owners John and Shyla King are based in Washington. They had a large cutting board right there in their booth, so you could get exactly the amount of fabric you wanted – whether it’s a ‘Hawks design or not.

Booth #900-902

Elkhorn Quilt Company – It’s always great to stop by and check out what new fabrics and quilts Debbie Dominy has!

Shows and festivals only.
IG: elkhornquiltcompany
#225-226

Spirit of the Artisan – A gorgeous collection of textiles imported from Southeast Asia by shop owner Gale Carson, who maintains a personal connection with many of the suppliers and artisans. Her wares include scarves, bags, tops, patterns, hand-woven Burma batiks, and ornate Hmong collars.

#628-630

Desert Stitchin – Quilts, kits, southwest-themed fabrics, and “desert delights,” which are sets of 2.5-inch color-coordinated fabric strips.

Based in Goodyear, AZ.
Online store and quilt shows only.
IG: desertstitchin
#148-149

“Brolga Dreaming” by Nambooka + other aboriginal-designed fabrics

Fabric by Nambooka, Narelle Kitson, Colleen Wallace + Vanessa Inkamala — Fabric designs by (l-r) Nambooka, Narelle Kitson, Colleen Wallace + Vanessa Inkamala

NotJustQuiltZ – Largest U.S. collection of aboriginal-designed fabrics from M+S Textiles in Australia. The designs are are created — usually hand-painted — by artists of indigenous Australian descent, drawing on their cultural traditions. Artists receive commissions on their work as long as it’s in print (longer than usual in this industry), and many make their living this way.

Shop located in the Historical District of Niles in Fremont, California (Bay Area).
They also have long arm services, embroidery, custom, quilts, notions, and gift items.
FB: Notjustquiltz
IG: notjustquiltz
#540-542

Second Chance Fabrics – New and pre-owned fabric, as well as patterns and gift items. You can trade in fabrics from your stash in exchange for store credit. Anyone who sews probably has excess material around, so it’s great that there’s a place to give it a new home, while picking up something you’ll actually use!

Store in Fresno, California.
FB: SecondChanceFabrics
#310-311

Julie’s Sewing Corner & Quilt Shop is located in Miami, Arizona, which is a historic mining town near Globe. Julie and Don Reiman’s shop specializes in unusual, drive-out-of-your-way fabric.

IG: juliessewingcorner
#839-841

Sun Valley Quilts – Sewing machines, wooden sewing tables, fabric, notions, and a book section. The store is large enough for groups to visit together during events like quilt shop hops and then go to one of the nearby restaurants.

Shop in Sun Valley, Arizona and online.
A rep from The Grace Company was also there, demonstrating their quilting frames and Q’nique line of quilting machines with handles designed for more control.
FB: SunValleyQuilts
#718-721

Traditional Primitives – Missie Carpenter developed a starch basting technique for English paper piecing and has her own lines of rustic quilting fabrics and other quilting products.

FB: TraditionalPrimitives
IG: traditionalprimitives
YouTube: Missie Carpenter of Traditional Primitives
#910-911

The Copper Needle – Shop focused on providing a welcoming, creative environment. Offering fabrics, threads, patterns, notions, Bernina sewing and embroidery machines, and classes in quilting, embroidery, and painting.

Store in Payson, Arizona.
FB: copperneedle
IG: ginaperkes
Tw: gina_perkes
#634-636

Stay tuned for Part 2!

More Info

IG: quiltcraftsew and #quiltcraftsew
FB: quiltcraftsewingfestival
Our previous Quilt, Craft + Sewing Festival visit.

Phoenix Event

January 30 – February 1, 2020
Admission: $12 for all 3 days. Printable $2 off coupon online.
Largest of the Quilt, Craft + Sewing Festivals.
Held at the Arizona State Fair Grounds.
The closest parking is the South Lot at the Fair Grounds. Enter through the McDowell Gate at 17th Ave and McDowell Rd.)
Parking $8.

We were guests of the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival.

April 18, 2019February 23, 2022

Updates on 2019 Arizona International Film Festival

vintage film equipment at the Screening Room

The 2019 Arizona International Film Festival (AZIFF) is still going on! You have until Sunday to get to Tucson and check it out!

We were there for the first week of AZIFF and are back home now. You’ll be able to read about our trip and films we saw soon!

In the meantime, I’ve been posting updates on Instagram Stories and Twitter. You can also read short reviews of last year’s documentaries and narrative films I wrote as a Guest Columnist over at The Two Gay Geeks, a fun site (and podcast) that covers a wide range of entertainment topics and highlights work by independent creators.

So have you watched anything interesting recently?

– More AZIFF 2019 Info –

Dates: April 10-21
Location: Downtown Tucson. All screenings are at The Screening Room, except for one at Loft Cinema. There are also a few parties, etc. in nearby venues like Hotel Congress.
Schedule
Hotels: Lots of Tucson hotels support the festival and give discounts if you mention you’re attending.

We were guests of Arizona International Film Festival.

February 7, 2019February 5, 2020

Sampler

I don’t know if this ever happens to you, but sometimes I’m in the middle of working on a bunch of things and can’t seem to get anything totally finished before I need to move on to something else.

That’s where I’m at right now.

So I thought I’d share a preview of things I have in progress and things you can read, listen to, and share in the meantime.

Film Festival Reviews

I’m working on more in-depth reviews of the films we saw at Arizona International Film Festival (AZIFF) last year.

For AZIFF 2019, I’m planning to cover more days of the festival and would love to know what you’re most interested in hearing about!

Comment:

What film festival stories do you want to read?

Reviews of more films? Any particular type/genre (documentary, comedy, animation, etc.)?
The AZIFF experience and tips for getting the most out of it?
Filmmaker Q+As or interviews?
Would you prefer any of the above in video or audio (podcast) format instead of written articles?

Quilt Show

This year I went to two days of the Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival in Phoenix. The first one was with my mom (who introduced me to the Festival) and the second with my sister-in-law Dinah and friend Kelli (who was my co-presenter at Craft Camp and co-taster at Macayo’s Scottsdale).

I’ve been editing photos and am impressed all over again with the creativity and inventiveness of the exhibitors we met there!

Read:

A couple crafty posts from Kelli…

Festival Food

While we were at the Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival, I wanted to investigate the food vendors at the Fairgrounds a bit more.

I found out that the concessions actually come from several independent businesses, who really do care about the food they make. Over the 2 days we were there, my quilt show squad and I got to sample a huge Indian taco, several flavors of kettle corn, a whole buncha barbecue, and this ridiculous brownie sundae.

Local Art Loves

I haven’t done an official kick-off post yet, but I definitely want to celebrate local art you love again this Valentine’s Day!

Share:

You can start anytime by snapping a photo of art in your neighborhood and sharing it using #localartloves.

Read/look at:

Last year’s Local Art Loves

[UPDATE: 2019’s Local Art Loves kickoff post is up now!]

Phillip in the Wampa’s Lair

Okay, not really something I’m doing, but Phillip was recently interviewed on the Wampa’s Lair Podcast! It’s a Star Wars podcast that we’ve been fans of for a long time. (Phillip wears their t-shirt everywhere. And one of the hosts, Jason Hunt, shared some great tips for our Phoenix Comicon newbies post.) Anyway, they have a series called “Tales of the Lairians,” where they ask their listeners (a.k.a. the “Lairians”) to share Star Wars stories from their own lives, and Phillip is featured on the latest one!

Listen:

Tales of the Lairians #13 – Phillip Liebold

And that’s it for now! So at least I finished one thing. Hopefully, this starts a trend.

Just FYI: we received complimentary quilt festival tickets, food, and a 2018 AZIFF media pass from the respective organizations/vendors. More info will be in upcoming posts, but let me know if you have questions!