Selling at To Bead True Blue in Tucson?

[bayoubeads]

This will be my first time to fly into a bead show to sell my beads. I usually have a car. I don't think I will be able to rely on the shuttle for going to and returning from the show. (?) What do you usually do? share taxis, find someone with a car, take the bus??? Just one of those details that is bugging me.
- mary

[beading57]

Hi Mary,

I'm doing that show too! Where are you staying? I was hoping that if a bunch of us were staying in the same place, we could share a taxi or something? Are you staying at the Embassy Suites?

[bayoubeads]

Hi Susan,
That's what I was thinking, to get some people together and drive together. I am staying at the Viscount on Broadway. looks like it is about 5 miles from the Manning house.

[ptbeads]

Let us know how that show goes. I was invited to sell there, but I was booked last year and this year. I would like to try it next year.

Good luck.

[bayoubeads]

Thanks Dianna, we will keep you posted. - mary

[paintingwithglass]

Hello! FYI: Taxis are hard to come by during Bead week in Tucson. You may want to try to rent a car or set up to have the hotel shuttle take you there. Maybe split the costs of renting a car between a few friends. I know many peeps that waited for hours for taxis to show up.

[bayoubeads]

Yikes, that's what I was afraid of. I'll have to call about the details on the shuttle. I would hate to have to rent a car. Where will you be Fay? Hope to see you there. - Mary

[Gail Joseph]

Do you guys know if our tables will be draped? I'm still figuring out exactly what to bring, and I'm thinking either fabric or table cloth to go on top.

Are any of you shipping stuff in advance? Luckily I'm staying w/my cousin, but she has a tiny house, and I hate to ship box after box of frit and glass to her, but when I talked to the show organizer, she said I could only ship USPS to Manning House if the mail carrier will bring the boxes into the storage room. How the heck could I know that?????--Gail

[Gail Joseph]

BTW, if I succumb to asthma from my cousin's cats and have to impose myself onto Sue's floor or sofa at Embassy Suites, the good news is that I'll have a car to share. So it is up to you to wish asthma upon me!:roll:

[beading57]

To all my fellow To Bead True Blue'ers,

I just spoke to Anna Johnson because I was getting nervous about all the uncertainties being posted here....So, here's the scoop!

You can ship UPS to the Manning house - arriving not before 1/23 or after 1/27.

There is a shuttle arranged by the show to pick up vendors from the Embassy Suites....I am not sure about any of the other hotels....I am thinking possibly the Viscount, because she said a lot of people are staying there also. There are two shuttle times in the morning....8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Your hotel will know the details...although I wouldn't necessarily call them now because my hotel told me there was no transportation.....

Anna said that if you need to take a taxi back in the evening, to have the hotel arrange for a taxi to be at the Manning House every evening at the same time each night.

So...I hope this answers some of the questions out there!:-D

Gail.....I am soooo making you sleep on the floor if your decide to impose upon us!:^o Oh yeah...you said you have a car? Hehe.... Plenty of room for you to be nice and comfy! No worries!

See everyone very soon!!!!!

[bayoubeads]

Thanks Susan for all the info.
Info for vendors about shipping, hotels, etc. is on this page for Bead True Blue:
http://www.beadagio.com/exhibitor/update.html

Maybe we can all meet the first night somewhere?

Mary

[beading57]

Mary,

Thanks so much for the page link. I have been on that site so many times and never saw that! That has a ton of info. Plus there is all that tax stuff that needs to be done beforehand. I wouldn't have known that! EEK!

Meeting the first night somewhere would be great. I have never been there before, and have no clue about places to go or EAT! Maybe someone can give us some good recommendations?

[bayoubeads]

glad you saw the tax thing. I missed it. It was tricky (at least for me) to find the tax form.
here's the link: http://www.azdor.gov/Forms/transaction.asp

Now if I could find the code for Tucson....
Mary

[bayoubeads]

At my hotel's website (Viscount) they have a handy map of the area. There is a TGIFridays next to the Viscount on Broadway Blvd.

[beading57]

TGIFriday's sounds perfect! And within walking distance....:cool: ...that means we can stumble...er, I mean walk home. Hehe...

Did you find the city code for Tucson? Maybe that's not one of the cities that needs to be listed in thath space? Hmmmmm.....

[bayoubeads]

I'm just going to write in "tucson" That fee will be collected at the show as far as I can tell. It's $28.
It may be 9-10pm till I can get to TGIF's My plane arrives at 8pm. I'm sure I'll be ready for some "refreshments"....

[Gail Joseph]

ooops, I forgot to even think about that tax stuff. I just printed it out. Do you think I'll be in trouble for sending it too late? Maybe I should Priority Mail it. What IS the sales tax there, anyway? On the good news front, I found a really pretty table runner on sale at Linens n Things today for only $9.99, and it reminds me of a frit blend!--Gail

[beading57]

I hope it's not too late! I just printed mine off too! Did you ever find out if the tables were going to be skirted? I'm planning on not...just in case. Your table runner sounds perty!!!:-D I do not know what the sales tax is in AZ...maybe someone else here knows?

[Gail Joseph]

I hope it's not too late! I just printed mine off too! Did you ever find out if the tables were going to be skirted? I'm planning on not...just in case. Your table runner sounds perty!!!:-D I do not know what the sales tax is in AZ...maybe someone else here knows?
On another thread they thought the tax in Tucson was 7%.

Well, on the upside, I know of a Target near my cousin's house, and can do a run for missing items (and will take orders)!

[bayoubeads]

I'm pretty sure Anna said that the tables would have skirts. I'm bringing a couple of table cloths one for the table and one to cover up with at night. (I usually take all my beads with me) I'm mailing off my tax form tomorrow. I'll make a copy of it to take with me also. I've emailed Anna about the sales tax question.
Later,
mary

[paintingwithglass]

I'm mailing off my tax form tomorrow. I'll make a copy of it to take with me also. mary

Hi Mary! Definitely bring any forms for AZ with you...you might want to bring 2 copies (and leave a copy at home). The state of AZ and Tucson have people that go around each show to make sure you have paid to sell in the city/state. So if you send in your check make sure you have documentation at the show otherwise you might have to pay again.

Just a heads up.
:smile:

[bayoubeads]

I just talked to the AZ tax office. If you send it in NOW - It will probably get processed, and they will return your documents with a number. If you don't get it before you leave for Tucson, then you can call and they will tell you your number over the phone.

[helensharvest]

Hey Mary. I emailed Anna and she said the tables are not skirted, so I'll make my red w/ huge roses tablecloth as planned.:) Love, Helen

[bayoubeads]

Thanks Helen. My suitcase just got a little more stuffed. May have to go for the larger one. -mj

[bayoubeads]

Here are a couple of websites that may help us get around at the bead shows:

Special shuttle system to all the shows:
http://www.tucsonshowguide.com/tsg/shuttle.cfm

City Bus system: You can just call 520-792-9222 and tell them where you are staying and where you are going and they will tell you which bus to take. You can get an all day pass to anywhere for $2, purchased from the bus driver.
http://suntran.com/

And be sure to come by my booth to visit: To BEAD TRUE BLUE look for me in the Lavendar Room booth # LB 173N

[ptbeads]

:waving: You all are just about to head out right?
Good luck! Hopefully next year I'll be sitting at a booth near you or at the very least doing some shopping!!! =P~

[margaretz]

Hi Tucson-bound folks!!!

I figured I'd answer a few Tucson questions since I live here...
--- team up on rental cars if you can and reserve quickly... every single rental car company knows that it's gem show time... mid-size cars are starting as high as $179/day.

--- Tucson sales tax is 7.6% (5.6% to AZ state, 2% city of Tucson)

--- Ladies, the Friday's/ Viscount to which you refer is about 6 blocks from my house! When are you arriving? If you're up for it, maybe I'll take a break from the torch and come join you for a drink! Call me (phone # on my website) or email me if you need recommendations or help with anything. Wish I could provide rides for you in the morning, but I'll be at Best Bead! Jerry Bob's (a good, but very greasy spoon-type diner) is across the street from the hotel. That's the place to go if you want a serious breakfast...


--- My favorite restaurants in Tucson:

Mexican: Cafe Poca Cosa (nicer, downtown), El Charro (downtown and Broadway/ Wilmot, get the carne seca), Casa Molina (on Speedway, E), La Indita (4th Ave), El Sabroso (on Grande, W of downtown)

Everything else: Sushi Garden (Alvernon/ Broadway), Feast (Speedway), Amareno's (Italian, far east on 22nd/ Sarnoff?), Stopani's (Italian, very small and cozy place, 22nd/ Craycroft), Takamatsu (teppan and sushi, on Speedway/ Craycroft).

--- Can't wait!!! less than a week till it all starts!!!

[bayoubeads]

Thanks so much Margaret!!
I get in Monday at 7 or 8 pm.
Maybe we can all organize something for Tues. I have your phone number. We'll give you a call.
I can't wait to get some REAL Mexican food. The food is wonderful down here but they sure don't know how to cook mexican. I also love sushi.
Your beads are wonderful - BTW.
Mary

[margaretz]

Mary- Set-up is Monday for me, and I have to be home in the afternoon/ evening to await a package of posters (nothin' like last minute deliveries) that I need for Best Bead on Tuesday... so I should be home, but may be still getting prepped for the show... who knows!

Yup, we have some fabulous Mexican food here. Closest to Viscount/ Friday's are El Charro and Casa Molina, both of which are locally owned, reasonably priced ($10-15/ entree) and very, very good. :)

[bayoubeads]

It's so great to get some good local info - Thanks Margaret.
- mj

[beading57]

Thanks for the info Margaret! Hope we get to see you in Tucson!!! Keep the sun shining for those of us that haven't felt the warmth since October!8)

[mobileboutique]

Oh my gosh, I'm so glad to hear others talk about this show! I too have agreed to come...all the way across country and it wasn't easy at all. I wish I had found you guys earlier!

I signed up for the forum just for this thread. I'm not a lampwork bead seller but will so enjoy looking and shopping for them it looks like..wow you guys are talented!

Anyway, I wanted to say hello and thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only one..lol..all the things you guys struggled with I did too! Like tax info..skirts for tables..shipping...travel...we are at the Comfort Inn North, and have rented a car..although we did it awhile ago and didn't pay anywhere near the $175/day..I don't know exactly what it was but know I would remember that kind of number! We have had such an experience figuring this all out..ugh.

I have one last question...what are you guys doing about credit card transactions? We are online..strictly online and have just heard that there will not be internet there...nice. I don't think I would have agreed to come knowing this, but now here I am...just curious as to what others will be doing. I've done alot of research and have come up with nothing that is reasonable aside from calling each one in.

Well, just wanted to say hello...and if there is anything I can help any of you with just ask..I know its really last min. and so wish I would have found this thread sooner!

Amber
www.mobile-boutique.com

[mobileboutique]

HI!
I just found a major discovery. I can have internet in Tucson, using a rental company for cell phones, it will be high speed WIFI..and can handle up to 20 computers..of course I only have one..if anyone is interested in connecting too let me know and maybe we can split the cost, they are limiting it to the number of IP addresses I give them so everyone can't hack in and it won't be there until late Tues..since I didn't find them until friday night :)
Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is having trouble too!
Amber

[bayoubeads]

Hi Amber! Glad you found something to work out for the credit card charges. I am using the virtual terminal at Pay Pal and will run the charges through my computer at the hotel at the end of the day.

I'll be in the lavender ballroom: #LB173N.

Good luck and hope to see you there!
Mary Jarvis

[Ever After]

so? if we have wireless on our comps can we still get internet? anyone know?