TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — It’s a show that brings over a thousand people through its doors twice a year, but it’s not a performance the community gathers to see—it’s jewelry.
“We are the largest of the artisan gem shows in the world,” said Colors of the Stone Show Manager, Casey Kennerson.
Local artist, Patricia Healey, has customers from all over the world.
The Colors of the Stone gem show sees about a thousand people each day every fall and winter, seeing customers and artists from everywhere.
“They’re from all over the world. We do have some local Tucson artists as well; we always like to make sure we promote local artists,” said Kennerson.
Healey has been an exhibitor at the show for about 20 years.
“I just started out sharing a booth and I just had two trays of copper and now I have—I don’t even know how many trays,” Healey said.
She creates every design for her copper jewelry, beads and pendants.
“I attended three different metal smith schools mainly for safety,” said Healey.
The fall gem show gives exhibitors a platform to share the stories behind their art and to get face-to-face interaction with their customers.
“Any of the artists have a story behind what they’ve created,” Healey said. “There has to be; to be a creator of art, you have to have a story behind it, so when you’re buying directly from the artist you get to hear a little bit about that,” Healey added.
Along with the face-to-face interaction, in-person shows also help Healey sell her work.
“Probably a good 50% of my personal income comes from in-person shows,” Healey said.
Healey said it’s not just about the income, but the reaction of her customers, both new and returning, keep her smiling.
“We work really hard in preparation and when we see that there’s a line waiting to come in, it’s really a good feeling that we just worked so hard and people came to the show to see our work,” Healey said.
Patricia Healey Copper will be at the Colors of the Stone show at the beginning of the year for the winter show.
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Faith Abercrombie is a reporter for KGUN 9. Before coming to KGUN, Faith worked as a videographer for the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation and as a reporter and producer on the youth suicide documentary, "Life is..." on Arizona PBS.
Share your story ideas with Faith by emailing faith.abercrombie@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, or Twitter.
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