GemFest

GemFest takes over the Shop LC Headquarters in Austin on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. It's a community-focused celebration of crystals, beading, and jewelry, and it's built for everyone from hobbyists and first-timers to professional artisans and content creators. The whole thing is hosted at Shop LC's own headquarters, so it's a hub for the jewelry-making community right in the city.

Once you're inside, there's plenty to do. You can walk through jewelry booths and hunt for unique crystals, and there are free gemstone workshops where you can actually get your hands on the materials. Beyond the booths, the event includes expert knowledge sessions where you can learn from collectors and makers, and community-building activities like jewelry repairs, appraisals, and fashion showcases. It's a hands-on environment, so you can spend as much time as you want just browsing or dive into the more active parts of the weekend.

Because it's open across two days, you've got some flexibility on when to swing by. If you're just starting out with crystals or beading, the workshops are a good place to jump in. If you've already got a collection, the booths and the knowledge sessions are where you'll find the more specialized stuff. The jewelry collection starts at $10, so you can pick up something small without spending much.