At a trading post called 'The Pickle Barrel' in Globe, AZ, we spent quite a bit of time browsing through rooms full of antiques and original art works. Here's another example of metal sculpture - too big to fit in my truck though . . .

Gotta love the view from up there though!

The cliff dwellings are really up there! Imagine having to carry water, wood, food and other supplies all the way up the mountain and then up ladders?? Definitely one of my favorite places to visit.

Here is a fine example of the Salado pottery, which is well known for the area. The color scheme is called polychrome. It was the most decorated pottery of the time and was traded far and wide. (Found at Tonto National Monument, AZ)

At the end of my teaching stay, I flew my mom out to share some of my favorite haunts in Arizona with me. On the way home, we stopped to visit the cliff dwellings at Tonto National Monument, near Roosevelt, AZ. Here are some examples of the Salado's early jewelry items. Of course, the turquoise came from local mines such as the Sleeping Beauty, but the shell beads came from the west coast and were more than likely bartered for.

If you are ever looking for the most gorgeous, high quality (yet affordable)designer cabochons, be sure to look up Sierra Madre Mining Company. BTW, John will also be present as a vendor at Beadfest Wire in Valley Forge, PA this April. (Pictured are me with Armondo and John Bajoras)

Home again after 3 wonderful weeks. Playing 'catch-up' with my blog due to the fact that I had internet issues while in AZ this year. Arizona has some awesome metal artists - as represented by this cute donkey that greeted me each morning as I left Dawn's home to go to work at the Jogs show.

We, wire-sculture.com, attended the Foreign Source cocktail party this evening. Met some more great folks, (such as Kathy and Steve from Hilton Head) and enjoyed great food and wine. I'll be teaching all day tomorrow, so if you're coming by the Jogs, stop in and say Hello!

My wonderful Wisconsin friends Dawn and Pedro, who are my host and hostess this year. They have a lovely home in SW Tucson, she's a great cook and we play with wire together when we have time off from work & shopping (right).

Ok, so I feel I need to share just one more shot of some of the ammolite that swept me off my feet this year. (And yes, I got blues, purples and greens too.) Oh, for those of you who are here and want to see what is left, the biz is called 'Lapis Gems' and he will be at the Holidome this Saturday.

Went to the Interweave Press party last night. (It's always nice to see old friends and make new ones.) Had today off, so Dawn, Pedro and I went to the HoJo show to find John & Sarah Bajoras and their AAA+++ cabs (BTW, they will also be at Beadfest Wire in Philly/April and known as Sierra Madre Mining). Got into trouble there because of all the new material he had to show us; and got into further trouble when we browsed the main tent. Yup, had to get more ammolite this year - gorgeous stuff!

Things began a bit more slowly this year, as everyone seemed to wait until about all of the shows are open to arrive, but foot (and vehicle) traffic is picking up. My classes over the weekend went well, I worked with some great folks from all over the world. Tuesday I had time for a break and took Mark and Alec to one of my favorite shows, The Electric Park (or should I say 'eclectic' park). Love this show!

Ok, so maybe taking a 75mph picture isn't always the best thing to do, but whenever I drive to Tucson I pass the hundreds of windmills on this 'windfarm', where I-20 and 80 cross. Had to share. Amazing!