Lapidary_Journal_Jewelry_Artist_-_November_-_December_2019

(Tina Meador) #1

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from the 2019 shows and in a side-
by-side comparison found that the
Tucson Show Guide is the best. It’s
a convenient design for small-scale
jewelers and crafters like me, and it
is clear and to the point. The printed
version usually comes with a handy
trifold pullout of area maps, which
will help you get oriented to where
this year’s venues are in relation to
Interstate 10 and Interstate 19. The
electronic version is searchable and
handy to keep on your smartphone
as you get around. Go through the
guide in advance and prioritize
vendors and venues you want to see.
Even the 2019 guide can be handy
for initial planning.
Get Your Paperwork
Together
Although many venues are open
to the public, you’ll have more fun
if you have business cards, a tax ID
number, a current wholesale or retail
business license, and a website or
Facebook page. This means you’re
going “pro” and comes with some
tax breaks and costs you’ll want to
think about fi rst.
When you are ready, get a Federal
Tax ID number as a sole proprietor.
To apply, go to the information-load-
ed website at https://www.irs.gov/
businesses/small-businesses-self-
employed/apply-for-an-employer-
identifi cation-number-ein-online.
Make sure you use the government
website; others charge ridiculous
fees for this service. With this num-
ber, you are ready to work through
state, county and city requirements.
Your ultimate goal is to obtain a
state wholesale or retail license with
your name or company name on it. If
you have questions, check with your
local chamber of commerce; they
may off er small business classes.
Once you are registered at a major
venue, copies of your credentials are
scanned and fl owed into a central
computer to be shared with other
venues. Note: some venues allow
you to register online by a specifi c
deadline.

The multi-million dollar AGTA
GemFair was the hardest show for
me to get into. They checked my
credentials twice and also took a
look at my website to make sure I
was a serious silversmith. But I got
to see the Spectrum Award winners
and many famous industry faces
selling their wares.
Dress for Success
I dressed up for my visit to AGTA,
the American Gem Trade Associa-
tion show, wearing polished shoes
and a fancy scarf thrown over com-
fortable jeans and a T shirt. I also put
on makeup and carried a nice hand-
bag. These props were tucked away
at other venues where I dressed
down for more negotiating power
and carried a ratty backpack.
P.S. Be in good physical condition
and prepared to walk long distances.
Tucson’s elevation is 2,388 feet
above sea level.
Plan for Parking
Before you go to Tucson, consider
buying an online GPS smartphone
app designed to pinpoint exactly
where you have parked your car on

materials


Tanzim Khan Malik and friend, Wavoo, sell gold sheen sapphire at JOGS.

Cynthia Owei sells a feathered ear piece at the Casino del Sol Conference Center

Jeff Theesfeld demonstrates gem faceting at one of the hotel venues.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 39
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