On Saturday morning I'll be on a plane headed to Tucson, AZ to attend their annual gem show bonanza. And the timing truly couldn't be better. Don't get me wrong, I love winter. (Really, I do.)  But the weather here in Wisconsin has been hovering around the negatives with wind-chill factors as low at –35 F, making the sunny lands of Arizona a welcome sight.

I'm spending a week in Tucson, as are a number of my fellow colleagues here at the jewelry-making section (Bead&Button, Bead Style, and of course Art Jewelry) of the Kalmbach Publishing Co. headquarters. And though I'll mostly be indoors checking out the multitude of shows around the town, I'm planning to soak up as much sun as I possibly can. (I've determined that I'm solar-powered, and toward the end of winter, boy do my batteries need recharging!)

I've got my plan of attack for the week's gem, fossil, and mineral shows nearly hammered out, a list of contacts I'd like to meet with, an extra-comfy pair of shoes packed, and a "New Stones & Tools" budget that I'm sure will be remembered fondly as I likely zoom past it halfway through the week.

Are any of you folks heading out West (or East) for Tucson this year? Do you have any suggestions from years past for specific shows or booths to visit?  And the all-important question: What about favorite restaurants??  A girl's gotta eat after all. And I'm personally looking forward to enjoying some spicy, authentic salsa after a hard day shopping, walking, and networking.

 ~Addie~

P.S. If you aren't going to Arizona this year, you can bring Tucson to you, though sadly without all that warm sunshine. Check out daily postings at the official "fly-on-the-wall" blog of the Tucson gem show.

And I wanted to pass this information on to you too:  This will be the second year for The Learning Center at the Electric Park Venue. The Learning Center offers offers free classes and lectures daily, as well as cutting demonstrations and workshops. It runs from February 2nd to 16th. And in non-lecture times visitors can try their own hand at gem cutting with an expert to guide them. How much fun does that sound?!?