#gemfaire

I haven’t been to the Gem Faire all year, thank you COVID, and just the other day I got the free ticket mailer! They are reusing old mailers, stamped with the new dates, which I totally get-but I am uber excited! 

I went on Friday, which with the mailer is free to get in-and gets you a weekend pass. The crowd, as far as customers go was very very healthy. It seemed like it came up kind of last minute to both vendors and customers-so the fact that there were that many people there, shows the demand was just laying in wait. There was a lot of wholesalers, which to me shows that enough of the businesses that use that show for supplies, survived enough to wait. All good things so far. 

There is the usual outside section, both front and side. Front was full with some old vendors some new ones. Side was mostly occupied, with some old and some new. Even just outside, it seemed like the stones got smaller, more expensive, and I caught a couple of stones I had never seen before. 

Then you head inside. You have a handful of the usual suspects-Italian silver chain booth, mounting and jewelry repair booth, etc. The front of the inside hall was all booked, as you worked your way down more towards the end, then you saw more empty spaces. Most of the people there were from the LA area, with a few out of state people. There is usually a handful of “related” vendors to fill in the gaps. This time there was more geology and climate saver booths? Some massagers and wannabe healing related booths. 

Now, I have gone to enough shows (and constantly visit crystal shops) that it takes a lot to impress me, enough to get the wallet out. For that reason, I came home with no crystals per say. I did end up with some lovely jewelry from the Vintage booth, and what I would soon discover was Poker Dice? I love them, might even play the game or use them for spirituality. 

I have a family member that likes to go with me, and all of her favorites were there. I myself love the vintage booth, but found myself missing one of my favorites-a store based in HB, ran by a lovely older lady with purple hair. I hope that more people get on board by the time it comes back in October! But found more vendors there than I suspected would be there.