Looking for trilobites, authentic arrowheads and geodes? You can find them at Mama's Minerals, which will host its fifth annual arts and crafts fair on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
Owner Laura Randolph said Mama's Minerals had humble beginnings in Albuquerque 23 years ago.
"It started as a gem and mineral business that we ran out of the back of my truck," she said. "Now we are the largest bead and rock shop in New Mexico."
Randolph said she wanted to provide a place for customers to showcase their work.
"We have so many customers that are jewelers and carvers and do various forms of art, we thought it would be fun," she said.
Mama's Minerals will be featuring the work of more than 60 artists and craftspeople at the fair. It's free for artists and anyone can have a booth as long as they are displaying something that they made, Randolph said.
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"The whole idea is to create a fair for people who shop here where they can sell the things they make," she said. "We do have some artists that are better-known, but this fair is primarily for small artists."
Randolph said this will be a small grassroots event where community members can enjoy good art.
"We do it because we know the community enjoys it and it has potential to grow," she said.
Mama's Minerals customer Sharon Burpo said she is looking forward to the variety of arts and crafts at the fair because she knows the array of materials they have access to.
"I come to Mama's Minerals for the variety of beads," Burpo said. "They have beads from around the world."
Burpo said artists displaying their work are lucky to be given such an opportunity.
"I think it a great way for people to showcase their work very affordably," she said.
Randolph said the community can expect to see stone carvings, sculptures, painting, photography, jewelry and much more. Plus everyone will have the opportunity to meet the artist who created the work.
"These are very homegrown artists," she said. "It is a good opportunity to buy locally from good artists before they become famous and raise their prices."
Mama's Minerals customer Erik Wolf said he is excited to check out the fair because he has been coming to the shop for a long time and knows what amazing things could be made.
"They have the natural rocks, polished rocks and fossils," he said. "Whenever I come here there is always lots of people. I would be interested in seeing the different things that people can make with all this variety."
Wolf said he likes to hunt rocks and is excited to see what other people have found.
"I think the fact that it is all local is awesome because the art will be made up of things from the area," he said.
Burpo said she expects to see good art because New Mexico is rich with good artists and creativity.
"People should at least try and check it out because there is so much talent in New Mexico. We are known for our art and for being crafty," she said.
Mama's Minerals
Arts and Crafts Fair
Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1100 San Mateo N.E.
Free entry
