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/

Recently we were up in Phoenix, AZ for First Friday and one of the other vendors was too interesting not to share with you!

Here’s his story!

Alexi Devillers with Robots

Alexi Deviller's Robots

These creative little bots are priced to sell, so if you’re in Tucson next first Friday check out the gallery Misconstrued on Roosevelt and 5th and look for Alexi or you can contact him at http://www.facebook.com/pages/FishLips/110310979912#!/profile.php?id=100002260682386&sk=info.

US Postal Service - Nature of America Series

It’s time again for our monthly blog team Blog-O-Sphere Think Tank to share their thoughts.
Unfortunately My blogging has gone to pot this month due to our hectic show schedule.

That being said, this month’s blog is about our favorite time of the year. Since I, and not Jon, am
writing this blog, I will give reflection on my favorite season.

Being that I live in the desert, my favorite season would have to be fall.
It’s a beautiful time here.
The summer monsoons have left the desert in bloom with pockets of green and a splattering of colorful blooms brightening up the otherwise brown landscape.
The windows are open letting in fresh air- a welcome change
from a long summer of air conditioning.
And of course, it’s the holiday season with festivities all
about, festivals to attend and sales to be made.

What more could a girl ask for of her favorite season?

Please check out the rest of the gang:

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

Kathryn Cole:  http://www.kathryncolejewelry.blogspot.com/

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

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

Barbara Donovan:  http://www.metooiguana.blogspot.com/

Diana Fazio   http://www.metooiguana.blogspot.com/

Thomasin Durgin: http://metalriot.blogspot.com

By AJ Rivera

Article can be found at:
http://thesilvertongueonline.com/2011/09/life-backstage-episode-i-five-finger-death-punch/

Welcome to the first episode of Life Backstage, featuring Five Finger Death Punch at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, AZ. The full-length episode is split into two parts and written below is what you can expect from our little show.

Part I: features the
exclusive interview with 5FDP and the band signing a handmade work of art courtesy of www.WattoOnline.com to be given to The National Fallen Firefighters Association. The item will be auctioned off at the Stop, Drop, Rock & Roll Charity Auction, held by the Firefighters to benefit the families of some of our nation’s heroes. www.firehero.org.

Watto Iron Cross Buckle signed by Five Finger Death Punch with certificate of authenticity, plush bag, collector box, and pick necklace. The set will be available by charitable donation from the The National Fallen Firefighters Assoc. www.firehero.org.

Check out the interview here. Just click on the video below:

It’s once again time for our monthly Think Tank Group Blog! This month’s topic is the Favorite Things about Where You Live.  Please Make sure to visit the other folks blogs on our team!

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

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

Wendy Kelly http://www.wendykianakelly.com

Thomasin Durgin http://metalriot.blogspot.com

Andrea Bell:  http://feathersfreesiasandfishingtackle.blogspot.com/

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

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

Of course Living in Tucson you can’t help but LOVE the views of the mountains from anywhere you look! And who wouldn’t love sunshine and warm weather for most of the year!!

And the city is filled with Public Art to add a little color to our desert.

Here are just a few of the lovely pieces covering our city. We are also blessed to have some very old and interesting signs  all over the city.

Public Art by Jon WATTO Watson & Santa Theresa Tile Works

Historic sign for one of the local restaurants

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary