Post by rocklicker on Oct 24, 2007 19:05:34 GMT -5
The local club here had it's annual show last weekend and I decided to have a booth. For those wondering, that's why I haven't been on the board much lately.
It was a fun show and we had a good turnout. I've been going to the show for years but this is the first time I was a part of it. It was a packed show this year with lots to do and a wide variety of vendors. We had a popular silent auction and the gold panning folks had a whole corner with panning and metal detecting demonstrations and contests. This year we had a surprising number of dealers with rough rock. It's been moving towads jewelry and finished stones over the years, but it seems rough rock and specimens made a comeback!
I signed up for a demonstration booth. I put together a rock tumbling demo and had 4 tumblers running. Each was next to some rocks at that stage in a bowl and a jar of grit to give people an idea of what's involved. I also set out a big bowl of tumbled stones for kids. But it turned out I made enough to give away to everybody. The response was great and everone was interested to see how the process worked! I answered all kinds of questions. One of the more popular questions was where to get a tumbler and how much they cost. I explained I wasn't selling any but I happen to have a Kinglsey North catalog which people looked though. I must have made them a ton of business that day. People were also surprised to find out how long it takes and how quiet tumbler are.
Next to me was someone demonstrating cabbing and wire wrapping, so we talked a lot. We had a steady stream of poeple stopping by wanting to know how it all worked. I made a little stack of cards with the RTH web address on them also, so hopefully we will get some new people here.
Here's the setup and me lookin sharp in my red rock club vest. As you look at these try to imagine the sound of 4 tumblers rumbling along:
Closeups of the table. The bowl of tumbled stones was a hit. People seemed to like running their hands through it just as much as picking out their favorite:
I also had a display featuring poppy jaspers from all over the place. Ed, Cal and another rock buddy provided some of the cabs and rough. I tried to keep it interesting but not too science-y. I had a map of the Franciscan complex in the back with some geologic information and lots of different types of poppy jaspers in little sections. I received lots of compliments. People were surprised at how much poppy jasper exists here in California. Thank you to Ed and Cal for helping me out on this one. I really appreciate it. Ed, I didn't have enough room for all the poppies you sent me! I also left out one of the cabs by accident but by the time I realized it, the case was shut tight!
Here's some photos
Entire display:
Closeups:
Here's the haul from the show:
Display cases (Keeps me from having to dust rocks )
Limb cast:
Rose quartz and Mariposite:
Poppy jasper. I got it at the end of the show so it was a screamin deal:
Some specimens collected by a vendor. These were mostly California rocks and most were a buck a piece. The larger quartz crystal was my favorite buy of the show. It was a quartz crystal collected from a mountain very close to here. He had one other and a cluster. I was going to by all three, but by the time I went back to my table, hung out there for a short while to answer questions, and return, two had been sold. I am so glad one was remaining.
Nice polished slab and Amethyst for my wife, stalagtite amythyst end, carnelian, and a very nice carved poppy jasper fish present from my wonderful wife.
It was a fun show and we had a good turnout. I've been going to the show for years but this is the first time I was a part of it. It was a packed show this year with lots to do and a wide variety of vendors. We had a popular silent auction and the gold panning folks had a whole corner with panning and metal detecting demonstrations and contests. This year we had a surprising number of dealers with rough rock. It's been moving towads jewelry and finished stones over the years, but it seems rough rock and specimens made a comeback!
I signed up for a demonstration booth. I put together a rock tumbling demo and had 4 tumblers running. Each was next to some rocks at that stage in a bowl and a jar of grit to give people an idea of what's involved. I also set out a big bowl of tumbled stones for kids. But it turned out I made enough to give away to everybody. The response was great and everone was interested to see how the process worked! I answered all kinds of questions. One of the more popular questions was where to get a tumbler and how much they cost. I explained I wasn't selling any but I happen to have a Kinglsey North catalog which people looked though. I must have made them a ton of business that day. People were also surprised to find out how long it takes and how quiet tumbler are.
Next to me was someone demonstrating cabbing and wire wrapping, so we talked a lot. We had a steady stream of poeple stopping by wanting to know how it all worked. I made a little stack of cards with the RTH web address on them also, so hopefully we will get some new people here.
Here's the setup and me lookin sharp in my red rock club vest. As you look at these try to imagine the sound of 4 tumblers rumbling along:
Closeups of the table. The bowl of tumbled stones was a hit. People seemed to like running their hands through it just as much as picking out their favorite:
I also had a display featuring poppy jaspers from all over the place. Ed, Cal and another rock buddy provided some of the cabs and rough. I tried to keep it interesting but not too science-y. I had a map of the Franciscan complex in the back with some geologic information and lots of different types of poppy jaspers in little sections. I received lots of compliments. People were surprised at how much poppy jasper exists here in California. Thank you to Ed and Cal for helping me out on this one. I really appreciate it. Ed, I didn't have enough room for all the poppies you sent me! I also left out one of the cabs by accident but by the time I realized it, the case was shut tight!
Here's some photos
Entire display:
Closeups:
Here's the haul from the show:
Display cases (Keeps me from having to dust rocks )
Limb cast:
Rose quartz and Mariposite:
Poppy jasper. I got it at the end of the show so it was a screamin deal:
Some specimens collected by a vendor. These were mostly California rocks and most were a buck a piece. The larger quartz crystal was my favorite buy of the show. It was a quartz crystal collected from a mountain very close to here. He had one other and a cluster. I was going to by all three, but by the time I went back to my table, hung out there for a short while to answer questions, and return, two had been sold. I am so glad one was remaining.
Nice polished slab and Amethyst for my wife, stalagtite amythyst end, carnelian, and a very nice carved poppy jasper fish present from my wonderful wife.