Fossils, Geodes, and More!!

 The other thing I wanted to see in Tucson was fossils and geodes.  But first I saw this....

I went all the way to Tucson to see fossilized dinosaur poop!!!  They should make t-shirts. 

These were table tops. If I were filthy stinking rich I would have these for my kitchen and bathroom countertops.

  

Ammonites the size of dinner plates.

  

Fossilized Mud Cracks...also called Septarian Node.

I don't even know what to say about this one.  It's definitely a boy geode....and it was happy to see us. 

It must be so much fun to find these out in nature. You just don't think these are going to be so large.  

Crinoids...fossilzed sea lily

For a mere $5,000 you too can have a giant amethyst geode!!

Just one of many tables filled with black tourmaline

Trilobites.  These were huge...like the size of serving platters. Imagine these crawling out of the primordial ooze.

This was the size of a coffee table. 

African Village

I have been wanted to see African Village for a few years now.  This was definitely a high spot for me.  Now that I have been there...how can I not go back next year!!  There were ~80 tents filled with all sorts of beads, masks, statues, mudcloth, baskets, and more.  It was almost too much to take in and in retrospect I should have gone back for a second look.

My pictures aren't great.  Sometimes I can get good pics with the iPhone...not so much on this day. But this gives you an idea of what it was like.

There were tons of beads and the prices were amazing.  Too bad I already have quite a few.  I wasn't really in the market for beads. 

Beaded chairs

Close up of a statue. It was probably 6 feet tall.

Another really large statue

I have been looking for bronze leopards for a while. Although a large one (or two) like this wasn't in the budget...this year.  I did get a small one.  They are from Nigeria.

The center statue is a power figure.  It is used to contain and control a spiritual force.  The box in the stomach will be packed with medicines in resin to attract the spirit. A nail or blade is driven in the figure each time the spirit is invoked.  

Next up...fossils and geodes.

White Dove of the Desert

The Mission San Xavier del Bac is called the White Dove of the Desert for a good reason.  You see it long before you arrive there. It is stark white against the sky. It's so white it makes the sky look much darker than it actually is in photos.  These are straight off the iPhone with no retouching.

The mission was founded by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.  It's a amazing example of Spanish colonial architecture.

The interior is very ornate and it would take more than one visit to really absorb everything that is there. There is a mix of Spanish, European and Native American influences.  

 

   

 

 

Next up....African Village

More about Tucson

On a day like today, when it is 0 degrees in Cleveland, I want to be back in Tucson.  There were only two things I really wanted to see in Tucson...besides Cris and Paul...African Village and fossils.  We managed to do a couple shows each day and the pace was really relaxing.  In fact I haven't been that relaxed in a long time.

We did go to the To Bead True show.  Picked up some stamps from Kieu at The Urban Beader and I spoke to a couple of chain vendors.  Of course we went to Gary Wilson's booth to drool over his stones...LOL. Yes that's what I said.  I picked up some pieces just for display rather than setting.

Fossilized Fish on Limestone

Snow scene Agate

Fossilized Mud Crack slices

Arizona Picture Rock

Madagascar Geode

Australian Sunset Jasper

 We also ran into Djenne Beads at this show.  They are based out of Detroit.  I picked up some beads and mudcloth from them.

These got tossed in the tumbler to clean them up.  I had so much dirt I had to run the tumbler a few times with nothing in it to clean the barrel and the shot. 

Next...The Mission

Tucson

Tucson was amazing.  Unless you are a masochist I don't think anyone could see it all.  It's 38 shows in one town...all at the same time.  This is an aerial shot of the Kino show.  And let me tell you....those tents are huge.  It had to take weeks just to put those up.

It was raining when I arrived but after that it was sunny and beautiful.  I understand now why my parents used to spend winters in Arizona. It was a great break from the snow here in Cleveland and it was really difficult to come back to the cold weather.

We stayed at a great place called Lodge on the Desert. The grounds were lovely and I spent a lot of time taking pictures of cactus.  I think the employees thought I was crazy.

 

The first stop was the Gem Mall.  This again was huge.  This is just one tent of many that were there.

One great booth we spent a lot of time in was Joe Loux.  He's a dealer in Asian and Tribal Art.

I bought these.  They are carved on both sides. 

More later.