One of the things I plan to do with this blog is include more of those tales, to give the background not only of some of the individual pieces I've acquired, but additional information on the minerals, locations, and techniques involved.
Because the Mesa Flagg Gem and Mineral Show is just a couple of weeks away, and because it's one of my favorite shows, I thought I'd give an expanded portrait of this event.
Please note that the 2015 show is a week later than usual because of the New Year's holiday. Usually the Flagg show is the first full week-end in January, but because New Year's Day falls on Thursday -- the set-up day for the show -- the event is scheduled for January 9-11, 2015, Friday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
The main attractions of course are that it's free and it's conveniently located for those in the greater Phoenix metro area. Free parking, free admission, and it's located at Mesa Community College on Dobson Road immediately off U.S. 60. For anyone who's ever gotten lost trying to find a rock hounding location, "easy to find" is a big plus!
As I wrote in the book, the Tucson experience can be overwhelming for anyone not really prepared for it, and Quartzsite is a rather longish drive from just about anywhere in the state. But Mesa offers a very comfortable and casual venue for anyone to be introduced to the rock, gem, mineral, and related arts and hobbies.
Mesa Flagg Gem & Mineral Show, January 2014.
Bring the kids, the grandkids, even the dog! All are welcome. In fact, this is one of the few shows I've been to where there are lots of activities specifically for youngsters, aimed at getting them interested in a hobby that sometimes seems exclusively for old folks.
Let's face it -- Most kids like rocks. If you have or had kids, you know they're always finding neat rocks, whether fossils or crystals or something they see a picture in or whatever. And most of the time they're told, "Leave it alone. It's a rock. It's dirty. It's nothing. Put it down right now!" C'mon, admit it. You've said it . . . or you've heard it.
But rocks are part of our world, and a child's curiosity and interest should be nurtured and encouraged, not squelched. The Mesa Flagg Gem & Mineral Show is just the place to take them. They'll see lots of rocks, they'll have the opportunity to look and touch and collect and buy. They'll also be able to buy books and magazines about geology and mineral science. What better way to encourage a reluctant reader to read than by giving him or her a book on a subject they're already interested in? And where might an interest in mineral science further lead? Why, to math, of course! Rocks are educational!
Rocks and gems aren't age discriminatory either. This is a hobby the whole family, all ages, can participate in. Stroll up and down the aisles, chat with some of the sellers, and learn something new every single time. There will be merchants from around the world, from Arizona and British Columbia, from Arkansas and Afghanistan, from Mexico and China and Thailand and Montana.
Most of all, however, all the oohs and aaaahs and wows! are free.
When I exhibit at an art show, I always have a bowl full of miscellaneous tumbled stones that I cally freebies. They're free to children "of all ages," and most of the takers are children in the upper end of the "all ages" range. I love watching adults give in to their inner child as they sift through the stones searching for one special stone. Even more, though I love watching the children. So many of them just can't decide which rock to take. They like them all! Even when I tell their parents that I have plenty of rocks and the kids can have more than one if they like, most of the time the parents say no, just one is plenty.
Excuse me, but "one rock" is not plenty!
That's why I often pause along my own stroll through the Mesa show just to watch kids with their parents and/or grandparents who are actively encouraging a budding interest in rocks.
For the experienced rockhound, there are all kinds of neat rocks to see and to buy, without all the hassle and stress of Tucson. Don't get me wrong; Tucson is unlike any other congregation of rock and mineral enthusiasts in the world. But it's so huge that it can be just too much to handle. Mesa is like a mini Tucson, with a little bit of everything that you'll find at the bigger show.
And you may find some remarkable bargains, too.
When I exhibit at an art show, I always have a bowl full of miscellaneous tumbled stones that I cally freebies. They're free to children "of all ages," and most of the takers are children in the upper end of the "all ages" range. I love watching adults give in to their inner child as they sift through the stones searching for one special stone. Even more, though I love watching the children. So many of them just can't decide which rock to take. They like them all! Even when I tell their parents that I have plenty of rocks and the kids can have more than one if they like, most of the time the parents say no, just one is plenty.
Excuse me, but "one rock" is not plenty!
That's why I often pause along my own stroll through the Mesa show just to watch kids with their parents and/or grandparents who are actively encouraging a budding interest in rocks.
For the experienced rockhound, there are all kinds of neat rocks to see and to buy, without all the hassle and stress of Tucson. Don't get me wrong; Tucson is unlike any other congregation of rock and mineral enthusiasts in the world. But it's so huge that it can be just too much to handle. Mesa is like a mini Tucson, with a little bit of everything that you'll find at the bigger show.
And you may find some remarkable bargains, too.
Mexican Crazy Lace Agate purchased at Mesa Flagg Gem & Mineral Show.
It's fun and it's free, and if you're interested but don't know if you want to get more interested, check it out. I might even see you there.
