The Craft Fair at the Star Valley RV Resort Barn

In the brief time we have collected, designed, made, and sold stones and jewelry, we have learned a couple things about shows. First of course, they are a way to pay for your materials and tools and even make some money, but they are also equally important for the contacts we can make. Our first show at the Barn, here at Star Valley Ranch, was a great example.

Now it was our first show here, since we have made this our “summer home”, and we wondered how we would be received. That question was answered when we sold our finest pieces of Wyoming jade. It should have come as no surprise that Wyoming Jade would sell in Wyoming. It’s kind of like the beach glass that we sell at the Texas Gulf Coast. People want souvenirs when they visit an area.

We did have one huge problem at the show in that the lightening was simply terrible. We were unable to have access to an electric outlet and so we couldn’t use our normal lights. Instead we had to revert to led flashlights and act like personal track lightening as customers walked by. It brought a chuckle form many, but it also allowed us to show the quality of our stones and wire wrapping.

Later in the show a couple walked up and asked the price of a loose gemstone that was half opal and half fire agate. As we talked it turned out the man was a certified master gemologist and diamond facet cutter and he rated our stones and their prices. He told me how my stones were priced too low and that I needed to sell at specialized gem shows. Of course he mentioned Tucson, but he also mentioned a private show in Utah.

As we talked his wife perused our cabochons and admired a Rig Grande Agate cabochon. It’s one of many that are from rough we acquired from our Texas friend and mentor, Dick C. As the gemologist was so helpful with his advice I gave his wife the cabochon as a gift.

Thinking nothing of it they later returned to our display and he thanked me for my kindness. He handed me six gemstones as a token of his appreciation. One was an unfinished opal triplet and his only request was that I finish the stone, wrap it, and send him a picture. He also said that I should not sell it but give it to Renita. She liked that part!

So the show ended and it was a good day. Now I need to work on more Wyoming jade, turetella, (actually eliminia, a fresh water fossil snail), and of course finish the opal. Oh, and the siding came in so we can now finish the shed/lapidary studio. Clear skies.