GemFest – Gems That Cast a Spell

GemFest returns to the Shop LC Headquarters at 100 Michael Angelo Way, Suite 200, on Saturday, October 24, from 11 AM to 5 PM. It's Austin's free community celebration of gemstones, crystals and beading, hosted by Shop LC. This year's edition is titled Gems That Cast a Spell, and it leans right into the spooky season: it's a Halloween-themed bash, and guests are encouraged to come in costume.

Inside, you'll find booths from local makers and gem vendors to browse, and talks by gemstone and beading experts to listen to. There are DIY workshops for beading and bath salts if you want to make something yourself, and a live jewelry auction for those who'd rather bid. On the practical side, there's free jewelry cleaning and minor repairs on-site, so you can bring in a piece that needs a little love while you're there.

Among the guests is beading artist Sara Lovecraft, who teaches makers across the country how to make jewelry that "looks bought, not beaded." Shop LC host and crystal expert Athena Perrakis will also be part of the day. Between the two of them, you've got a good mix of the creative side of beading and the more technical knowledge of the stones themselves.

It's a full day for anyone who likes crystals, jewelry making or just browsing a good collection of stones. The whole thing is completely free, and it runs from 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, October 24, at the Shop LC Headquarters, 100 Michael Angelo Way, Suite 200.