SweetHome, OR show 29&30 March

Today was so crowded, and vendor booths not clearly labeled, that I missed sticks-n-stones. I will look closer tomorrow.

I got some diamond tools and adhesives. I did not buy much rough. It tended to be a bit high, since I expect lower (or at least online) prices at shows. I know these guys have expenses and a right to earn a living, but $4/lb for leopard skin, or selling many other things by the gram - well I hate things sold by the gram.

I did get a few pieces of Indonesian coral. I bought some two years ago and found the slabs I got from the chunks to be variable. SO much is "how solid" "what pattern" and subtle coloration. The chance to buy slabs was nice. Still one guy had 1/4"+ slabs priced $15 to $40, and another guy has various thickness, cell-size, slab-size, and color not only priced by the gram, but may different per-gram prices and no posted prices and you had to ask for a weight price quote on each piece. I almost walked away for that guy.

There was some of the best Owyhee PJ I have seen in the slab bins, but pretty much priced for all the market would bear. I had hoped a regional material at a club show would have been priced about %10 lower.

Overall a fun day, and I will go back tomorrow to see more of how they set up the show and what exactly members are doing and how the kid booth is working. Next year I want to volunteer in some capacity and there is nothing like seeing for knowing.