Chicago area GTG and gem show on Dec. 9th?

[Dee*Jay]

I know it''s almost a month away, but with the holidays looming I figured I better start a thread to get this on the calendar. Who is up for a get together on Saturday, Dec. 9th?

The gem show is in Rosemont (a suburb of Chicago) and there are plenty of places to meet very close to the convention center, so if anyone is interested and if you would like to get together somewhere first and have lunch then go to the show I''ll be happy to put together some options and get the reservations in order once we decide.

PERRY - let me know if you can make it and I''ll find a place that has a no smoking policy or somewhere else that will work.

Monarch, Alisonfaye, Irish Angel, Catmom, Portia, Storm, Starset, Grace -- and all the other Chicago area PSers that I can''t think of right now (senility at 36 is a terrible thing, LOL!) -- what do you say? A little lunch; a little bling; what more could we ask for?!?

 

[monarch64]

Hi DeeJay--I''d love to go! Pencil me in...I am pretty sure I''ll be able to make this one!

 

[portia]

Count me in! Sounds like fun!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Oh good monarch -- I was so sad you had to miss the last one.

Portia, since we live 3 blocks apart maybe we should make arrangements to drive together when the time comes. No sense both of us sitting in traffic alone when we could be talking bling!

 

[IrishAngel7982]

Absolutely! Yay! I was just thinking that the December show was coming up. I will definitely be there this time. I''m still sad I missed the last one!

 

[portia]

Dee*Jay, sounds like a good idea to carpool... and chat about bling along the way!!

This sounds like so much fun. I''ve never been to a gem/jewelry show. I know this is a stupid question but.... what is it all about? Diamonds? Gemstones? Jewelry pieces for purchase?

Can''t wait to meet some fellow PS''ers!

 

[perry]

I plan on being there... So find a no-smoking joint (ps: I like steak)

Portia: Its about rocks of all kinds. Not necessarily the best diamonds - but some diamonds; and a lot of other gemstones, mineral samples, and bulk stones that jewelry stores buy (ever wanted a tigers eye necklass.... buy your own string of tigers eye and make one yourself). At least if it was anything like the one at Mineapolis I went to this summer. Also, supplies to make simple jewelry.

If you live in the immedaiate area - and have kids who are into making things (or collecting rocks) - its probably a great place to take them.

See ya all there. Preferably mid morning to noonish. I may have another thing to attend in the area in late afternoon.


Perry

 

[strmrdr]

not going to be able to make it, its too close to my surgery date.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Portia - here''s link to the gem show that Catmom, Blenheim and I went to in August link. Ignore the first page (it''s all just us making the plan to get together) but go to the bottom of the second page and the third page and there are some photos. I had no idea what to expect either, but it was so much fun! Honestly, I probably wouldn''t buy anything "major" there (I simply don''t know enough to ensure that I''m not getting ripped off, LOL) but all three of us did buy a *little something."

Perry - Ok, I''ll work on some ideas.

And Storm - I was afraid you wouldn''t be able to come--but you have to PROMISE to make the next one!

 

[Catmom]

Ooooo, I''m in! It was a lot of fun last time. Hopefully the traffic and construction will be better this time.

 

[Allisonfaye]

I will have to check with my husband. That would be a long time to be gone but who knows? He might be receptive.

 

[Allisonfaye]

Date: 11/13/2006 11:06:55 PM
Author: perry
I plan on being there... So find a no-smoking joint (ps: I like steak)

Portia: Its about rocks of all kinds. Not necessarily the best diamonds - but some diamonds; and a lot of other gemstones, mineral samples, and bulk stones that jewelry stores buy (ever wanted a tigers eye necklass.... buy your own string of tigers eye and make one yourself). At least if it was anything like the one at Mineapolis I went to this summer. Also, supplies to make simple jewelry.

If you live in the immedaiate area - and have kids who are into making things (or collecting rocks) - its probably a great place to take them.

See ya all there. Preferably mid morning to noonish. I may have another thing to attend in the area in late afternoon.


Perry

When you skim things too fast, sometimes you have to re-read. I was reading something about smoking a joint.....

 

[Dee*Jay]

Too funny Allisonfaye!

(Can you imagine what sorts of crazy things we might be compelled to buy if we did! I can envision a whole bunch of items to be added to "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" thread the next day -- with the emphasis on the BAD and the UGLY

).

 

[Blenheim]

Hilarious.

J has a holiday office party that evening, and from our last trip we know that there''s no way to do both. We''re trying to decide which to do right now. (I''m rooting for the gem show. I think he''s leaning that way too.)

 

[Regular Guy]

Since I''m from Chicago originally, I''ll be with you in spirit.

Meanwhile, and sorry to threadjack...but if any of you folks can help out Chicagogirl in Rockytalky, I''m sure she''d appreciate it....especially since neither appraiser she mentions is right now listed under resources, at the top right.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Blenheim - I felt guilty asking you to make the trek to Chicago yet again, but if you''re both leaning this way, well what can I say?

Ira - Your timing is perfect; I just answered Chicagogirl. We''ll post pics after the gem show, BTW, so you can feel even more "with us" (but sorry that you can''t come in more than just spirit!).

 

[KimberlyH]

If an out of towner can join in would that be alright?

I think my husband and I will be in Chicago for our 2nd annual Christmas trip. I am pretty sure it''s the same weekend; as long as our tickets to see A Christmas Carol aren''t that day I would love to come (hubby would be in tow, but he''s a nice guy

).

 

[Dee*Jay]

Kimberly - EVERYONE is welcome!!! And if you (or anyone else) brings their significant other I will have the happy hubby trot along (like he did at the August gem show) so they all have someone non-bling related to talk to (and distract them while we're out wreaking havok on the credit cards, LOL!).

And don't worry; if this thread gets low on the page as the days go on I'll keep bumping it up to make sure everyone can find the details of when/where to meet, etc.

 

[monarch64]

So, I checked with DH and we do have a possible schedule conflict!

We''re attending some black tie function in Atlanta for a board he was elected to that Friday night, Dec. 8th, but we plan on flying back to Chicago that Sat. morning. So depending on how early we return to Chicago, I may still be able to make it! I know he will probably not want to attend lunch and the gem show with us after traveling the night before but I''ll see if I can talk him into it anyway!

I''m super excited about this and I will do my absolute best to get there!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Monarch, we probably won''t meet until at least 11:30 for lunch anyway, so hopefully you can swing the timing. When does your flight land? BTW, you will be very close to where we''re going if you''re coming into O''Hare.

If you want you can even come in your gown and the happy hubby can come in his tux. We won''t mind at all!

 

[monarch64]

Date: 11/15/2006 9:38:42 AM
Author: Dee*Jay
Monarch, we probably won''t meet until at least 11:30 for lunch anyway, so hopefully you can swing the timing. When does your flight land? BTW, you will be very close to where we''re going if you''re coming into O''Hare.

If you want you can even come in your gown and the happy hubby can come in his tux. We won''t mind at all!

We haven''t even booked flights yet, so I don''t know when we''ll land, but I''ll encourage DH to book the earliest available. And how funny would it be if we showed up in evening wear, LOL, you are too much!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 11/15/2006 10:00:37 AM
Author: monarch64

Date: 11/15/2006 9:38:42 AM

Author: Dee*Jay

Monarch, we probably won't meet until at least 11:30 for lunch anyway, so hopefully you can swing the timing. When does your flight land? BTW, you will be very close to where we're going if you're coming into O'Hare.


If you want you can even come in your gown and the happy hubby can come in his tux. We won't mind at all!

We haven't even booked flights yet, so I don't know when we'll land, but I'll encourage DH to book the earliest available. And how funny would it be if we showed up in evening wear, LOL, you are too much!

I'll wear my ball gown if you wear yours! (No big hoop skirts though--it will make it too hard to navigate through the aisles at the show.)

 

[Dee*Jay]

Just bumping this to keep it near the top. I''ll suggest a meeting place within the next few days (or if anyone else has any ideas, don''t be shy!).

Who else is in?!?

 

[KimberlyH]

I had my weekends wrong, we fly in a few days after the show. I''m so bummed, I was so looking forward to this.

 

[Erin]

Oooh me me me!!! I can make it an excuse to go Christmas shopping!!!

 

[akw94]

I am not far at all and would really like to but my son''s bday party is that day.

He probably wouldn''t understand me skipping out for a gem show. Hopefully next time!

 

[monarch64]

My flight gets in at 10 a.m. Sat. a.m....I will be there!

ETA: I will NOT be wearing my "ball gown" he hee...can't wait to meet you ladies! (and gents!)

 

[Dee*Jay]

I have been searching for a non-smoking lunch options near the convention center and the best thing I can find is the Metro Grille in the Crown Plaza Hotel. Here is a link to some general information (link), but unfortunately they don't have a menu on line. It probably won't be fabulous food but it should certainly be edible, and the goal (for me anyway) is to spend time with my fellow PSers more than having the absolute best meal of my life.

So what do you all think?

As far as timing goes, my thought would be to gather around 11:30 and head over to the show right after we eat. (Monarch, are you checking luggage? The restaurant is right by O'Hare so if you are checking bags your timing should be perfect, and if you're not checking bags... well... just taking your time getting out of the parking garage from the airport.

)

And who plans bringing someone (or someONES!) with them so I can get the count relatively accurate at the restaurant.

BTW, if anyone is more familiar with the area and wants to suggest a different restaurant, please feel free.

 

[monarch64]

Ya know I can''t remember if I fly back into O''Hare or Midway. Either way, I am not checking luggage, but I will be cabbing it home from the airport first...I will be needing my own transportation to get back to the O''Hare area to meet you guys.

The Crowne restuarant is fine with me--I''m flexible!

 

[perry]

Thanks for setting things up Dee-Jay.

At this point it''s just myself. As far as the food being edible - we''ll see, but I''m used to dealing with that. Most important is non-smoking.

See ya all there.

Oh, do people want me to bring my Idealscope (professional model), ASET scope, loupe, etc? for some serious looking at things.

Perry