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Where: Grant Inn, 1365 W. Grant Road, just west of the frontage road.
Exhibitors: Over 250 exhibitors.
2010 update: First year some of the courtyard rooms were not filled. But still a great show for beaders. Read on!
2009 update: Like its counterpart, the Gem Mall, there were far fewer buyers here today than on opening days for the last 8 years. All your favorite vendors are here, however, and the show's prices are comparable to last year. Arizona Bead Dog saw a pearl vendor in the Event Center, far east end, that seemed to be offering very good prices. Sterling silver per gram prices were fluctuating around .55 to .58 per gram. In comparison, one vendor at Gem Mall was offering sterling silver for about .48 per gram. Hill Tribe Silver was also fluctuating, but was hovering around .99 per gram.
(Looking south from Grant Road; to the left are the courtyard rooms, directly south is the Event Center, and to the right (not in the photo) is the tent, which is not there for the September show.)
What: This is one of Arizona Bead Dog’s favorite shows because it has everything that most bead-stringers need in a compact space. You can easily spend all day here, and you’ll see variety in beads, from the ultra-cheap to very expensive, from natural stones to manmade pearls to precious stones; African trade beads; Venetian glass; giftables like juniper boxes, fossils, shark's teeth, crystals, and silk purses; sarongs and silk jackets; the only show Arizona Bead Dog has found make-up at (100% crushed stone as a blush, and the same vendor also sells cosmetic-grade mica);Tibetan items; sterling silver and gold findings (see, for example, www.kamaltrading.com); finished jewelry; pearls; tribal masks and carvings; India metal items.
Inside or Out: For the February show, there’s a large tent west of the main hotel, and just directly south of the tent is the event center. Many other exhibitors are in the hotel rooms that surround a courtyard; yet others are in rooms along the hotel’s perimeter. Don’t forget the exhibitors in the ballroom located just south of the hotel restaurant. You can find Hill Tribe Silver there at pretty good prices. There’s an overhang around the hotel rooms to protect from weather, and of course, all other buildings are enclosed.
Tips: For parking, use the shuttle service. If you want to eat at the hotel restaurant, this is one way to park in front of the hotel. The attendant will give you a 1- or 2-hour sign to put on your car dash. Make sure you keep your bill to show any curious lot attendant. Try to stick within the time limit. Although Arizona Bead Dog didn't see any cars being towed from the restaurnt parking, there was a car being towed from elsewhere on the site.
Parking: Really none. Many people will drive around the lot, but the chance of getting a space, especially in February (as opposed to the September show when the Main Tent isn’t there), is virtually non-existent. If you go on the weekends, there is parking at some of the businesses just west of the hotel, but during the week the businesses usually post no-parking signs. The shuttle from the theatres a mile east of the hotel picks up regularly, and this is a good way to go.
September show parking: Since one tent is gone, there's usually good parking if you get there early, say 9:45 a.m. This show isn't usually as busy as in February, so that fact also makes parking easier. 2009 update: For some strange reason, half the parking lot was blocked off, so it was more difficult this year to find parking than it has been in past years.
Food: Las Cazuelitas is the hotel restaurant, and the food is good. There’s also a snack bar in the event center that serves up burgers, and there’s usually a food/water vendor in the middle of the hotel rooms/courtyard/pool area.
Rest rooms: In the hotel.
2011 show dates: The show begins Saturday, January 29th and runs through Friday, February 11th. Like many shows, this one closes up early on the last day; in fact, some vendors are already packed up the evening before.
Show hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except the last day, which closes early at 3 p.m.
Shuttle routes: To be determined.
For additional information: www.glwshows.com or www.glwshows.net.
2009 September show update: The slowest Grant Inn show Arizona Bead Dog has been to in the last 10 years; one of the vendors said it's the slowest show he's been at here in 20 years. Fewer vendors, some favorites not there although there were some new ones. No crowds. Bead selection down from previous years--just not as much inventory displayed.
2008 September show review:
What: Based on the last five years, Arizona Bead Dog can say that between the Holiday Inn Paloverde and the Quality Inn, the Quality Inn is the better of the two in September. So if your September time is limited, go to the Quality Inn (now Grant Inn). While the Holidome show's sheer size and variety in February propel it to the best overall buyer show, September is different--the well-balanced variety of vendors for beads, findings, and giftables shifts in favor of the Qualtiy Inn. Expect higher per gram sterling silver prices (over $1 in the event center; some hotel rooms were at .65) and higher bead prices overall than in February.
Arizona Bead Dog wonders what February will bring since this September show was downsized somewhat not only in terms of the number of vendors (you'll see most of your favorites), but also in terms of the amount on display--not as much as in years past. Whether it's gas prices or the uncertain economy, there was less here. Having said that, there were many bargains and it's not as if slots looked empty. It's just that having attended this show over the years, Arizona Bead Dog noticed a few vendors who are normally represented weren't here this September. If you're looking for $2 strands, you'll find them here and at Holiday Inn Paloverde.
Note: The 2008 September heat is incredible, so dress for comfort and bring some water. Some hotel vendors got creative, however, and for customer comfort, hung up sheets in front of their rooms and kept the doors closed to preserve the air conditioning.
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