This past weekend, Jon’s parents were in town so we stopped off at Trail Dust Town in Tucson as there was an art show going on.

We saw a few of our fellow art show exhibitors that we’d met at prior shows.

We also checked out the fun old time candy store and toy store. Both places are filled with goodies which brought back a ton of childhood memories ~wax lips, candy cigarettes, Pop Rocks , etc.

 Of course we took some silly pictures. Jon is great at hamming it up. What a character!

There were some cool old medicine bottles at the Apothecary Shop.

If you’re a vintage nut like me, you’d enjoy the great old luggage, signs and wagons.

This months team blog is “What is your favorite tool”

And  you think I would say, this one is easy for Jon- it would be his welder. But no! He informed me it was his angle grinder because it can do so many things.

What is an angle grinder you ask?

Also known as a side grinder or disc grinder is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and polishing.

That’s why Jon likes it because it can do so many things. He uses it to grind down and polish WATTO Distinctive Metal Wear creations.

Here is a picture:

 Jon hard at work!

photo by Stephfowlerphotography.com

Please visit our other team members to see what their favorite tool is!

Andes cruz: http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com

Shannon I’m On A Roll Koochin: http://thebassplayersdaughter.blogspot.ca

Barbara Donovan:  http://barbaradonovan.blogspot.com/

Robyn Hawk:  http://flyviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Krucoff: http://mysticalmythicalmetalwork.wordpress.com/

Beth Cyr: http://bcyrjewelry.blogspot.com

Natsuko Hanks http://jewelrybynatsuko.blogspot.com/

Christine http://sistinachapel.blogspot.ca/

Wendy Kelly http://www.wendykianakelly.com

stephanie clark http://thethinkingsofacoldweathergirl.blogspot.com

It’s once again time for our monthly Think Tank Group Blog! This month’s topic is the Most Inspiring Person In My Life~  Please Make sure to visit the other folks blogs on our team!

Since I am writing this blog (Mary) I am going to mention my Most Inspiring Person In My Life (also I didn’t ask Jon in time so he hasn’t had time to mull it over, but I’m guessing his would be someone in history, an artist or a motorcycle guru)

As for me, I would have to say my parents. They are what I call “do gooders.” For as long as I can remember, since I was a small little girl, they were involved in charitable events. Always doing for others. In there example I learned many of my values without them ever having to lecture me on them.

They were on the board of fair housing which taught me to judge all people the same. Although I lived in Ohio where diversity was not exactly abundant, I already had established that no matter if you were poor or rich, black or white, we all deserved respect.

They were also involved in an organization called FISH ( if I remember correctly). I was pretty young, but I remember it was some sort of food pantry organization and mom would take me on deliveries to drop off groceries to needy families. From this I learned it was better to give than receive, to help others in their time of need and that everyone needs a little help now and then.

I’m sure they did many other activities, but those two were what stood out the most.

My mother has devoted her life to helping others by becoming a social worker for Protective Services for Seniors. So many of these people have mental issues and allow others to take advantage of them. It is such an important job to help protect these people as they are unable to protect themselves and it is often family members who take advantage of them or treat them poorly.

Since this is not valued in our society, her workers are among the lowest paid in the city. Since she was made supervisor years and years ago, I have watched her struggle trying to find the best people to fill positions on her staff only for them to leave after several months for a higher paying job. She is now 74 and could have retired years ago, but continues to stay on to help those in need. Believe me it’s not for the money.

Dad too has always been involved and received an award or maybe two, for his good works in the community. He has volunteered for so many years at St Vincent De Pauls which helps get men back into the working world. So many of the homeless men he meets were once upstanding citizens with good jobs, families, college degrees and self respect, but through misfortune or addictions ended up on the street. This home helps get the men back into jobs and school and most of all to gain their self respect again.

Dad also gives talkes to the homeless in the community about their finances. As strange as that sounds it has helped so many of them gain some kind of control over their lives, learning to save the small amount they get from the government or through odd jobs to help better themselves.

Dad also works at the University of Dayton stadium as a head usher and gives all the money he earns to charity.

They both have led true charitable lives. For their selflessness they have inpired me greatly! Thanks Mom & Dad!

Please make sure to visit the other bloggers on my team:

pencilfox:  http://www.astorynonetheless.blogspot.com

Andes Cruz http://www.andescruz.wordpress.com

Stephanie Nocito Clark http://thethinkingsofacoldweathergirl.blogspot.com/

Renée Dolling http://www.floatinglightsphotography.com/blog

Kathleen Krucoff http://mysticalmythicalmetalwork.wordpress.com/

I went to the Tucson Gem Show and thought I’d share a few photos. If you ever get a chance to come to Tucson for this event in early Feb, I’d highly reccommend it. Tents cover the city from North to South and you can find anything from huge rocks filled with crystal, precious gemstones, high end jewelry to super afordable costume jewelry, all kinds of beading supplies and an entire African village. My photos are just a tiny snippet. Enjoy!

Last week, Jon and I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive Wine Tasting event held by Rebel Vinum (based in Phoenix) at The Playground in downtown Tucson.

The really cool thing is that Kevin, who runs the show, was up in Portland and stopped in at Rebel Jeweler http://www.rebeljeweler.com/ because of the name. Well, they (Rebel Jeweler) happens to be one of our favorite stores that carry WATTO. Kevin was excited to see a company from Arizona with stuff up in Portland. He purchased some of our items. Then, in a great gesture, the Rebel team decided they wanted to meet the artist who created the cool metal keychains they all received for Christmas from Kevin, so they invited us to their wine tasting.

Jon & Jeff McCarty- account development specialist for Rebel Vinum

Jon and Tom Jonovich- boutique wine specialist - Rebel Vinum

Ashlee shows off one of the wines

Their wine is top of the line from only the best vinyards and Jon and I had the pleasure of tasting a $400 bottle of wine- probably the first and last time that will ever happen.

The playground is super cool too and had just opened several days previously. Please enjoy the photos from the cool event. Oh and another cool thing, they told us we could display some of our promotional material to pitch ourselves. Is that not the coolest! ?!

We also met Wine teacher Jon Rogers who teaches beginners to advanced wine connoisseurs in his workshops called Wines Without the Mystery. Interested? contact JonLRogers@aol.com or call at 520-325-0566

Jon Rogers of "Wines Without the Mystery"

Good wine, good people and good environment and Jon got a good buzz! :)

Last night Jon and I went to Tempe to help sponsor the Fendor Music Foundation Fundraiser put on by Limelighter Promotion http://www.facebook.com/limelighterpro with headliner band Lost in Atlantis debuting their new video. You can hear some tunes by LIA at http://www.facebook.com/lostinatlantis?sk=app_2405167945

AJ Riveria of Limelighter Promotions with golfer Sal Princiotta & WATTO belt buckles

Outside stage. Club 910 has 2 stages. One indoor and one outdoor.

WATTO display at event. It was a little chilly , but not as dark as it looks

They had a great raffle to raise money for the Fendor Music Foundation which helps bring music programs back to schools. WATTO Distinctive Metal Wear contributed a big basket of handmade metal goodies!

WATTO Distinctive Metal Wear Auction Giveaway

Jon found a John with his name on it

On the way back from the event this morning we stopped off at the Farmer’s Market in Tucson and found some great goodies.

Fresh produce by local farmersYummy Kettle Corn by Quest for the Best 775-815-4059

Fudge by Quest for the Best 775-815-4059 - We got chocolate Cherry Fudge Yumm!

Jon couldn't resist this amazing blue VW

Till next time- Mary

WATTO Distinctive Metal Wear atteneded the Comikazeexpo Nov 5 & 6th. at the LA Convention Center. It was the first year and had a reported 30,000 attendees. At only $12 a person entrance fee it was a nice alternative to the ultra pricey ComCon in San Diego.

WATTO Made some new buckles and keychains for the show to hit the Steampunk crowd.

All in all it was a fun time!

Here’s a video highlighting some of the events and vendors at the show http://youtu.be/qTF8o233R74

To see more pics go to http://www.facebook.com/ComikazeExpo#!/media/set/?set=a.270304623012203.68994.154424564600210&type=3

And for a great reveiw go to  http://nukethefridge.com/news/review-comikaze-expo-2011-was-extraordinary

http://comikazeexpo.com/