Steampunk, Marbles and Tea Cups... hmmmm

Hello, hello, hello, it's Tony Ray Baker, and today we're gonna go live right next to our office. I'm gonna show you this right now. So here's TierraAntiguaRealty.com, I mean Tierra Antigua Realty Downtown, that's funny, there is a dot com by the way, but here we are at Tierra Antigua Realty. We're gonna go right next door to a really cool place called Got Your Marbles where Darren is there with Lisa, and I want to introduce you to them. And I'm sorry, you can probably hear all the traffic, but here we are. I bet you. Let's see if I can get you. Hello! So as you can see, the Ronstadt Bus Center is right behind me there, and you can see it's a beautiful, sunny, gorgeous day in downtown Tucson. Nice! All right, so I'm gonna switch this back, and we're going into Gotcha Marbles. There's Mr. Darren. Hello, Mr. Darren!

Hello!

And there's Lisa. Good morning! Hi, Lisa!

Oops!

And we're at Got Your Marbles. So I'm gonna let you guys chitchat about this really cool place. Let me do a scan really quick while you guys are right here, just so I can show how fun this is in here. So it's right next door to our office, and we've been eyeing this place for a long time. We love it here. We actually sneak in here all the time. We only have been thrown out once, right? So there's some really cool cases and some beautiful stuff. Stuff down here to look at, and then let you guys— and then we have some really fun stuff over there. All right, so let you two talk about this. I'm gonna back up this way.

Okay, so we are here today at Got All Your Marbles, and I'm here with owner Lisa Stotzka. And Lisa, thank you for letting us host here today.

My pleasure.

Yes, this is a great place. There are some really interesting jewelry pieces, and of course I love the mechanicals, we'll talk about that in a little bit. But Lisa, tell me, why God All Your Marbles? Where did this name come from?

Truthfully, we started out doing the jewelry with semi-precious stones, everything's interchangeable, and then unrelated to what we were doing, a friend said, "You guys ought to do something with marbles." marbles. They're really popular. This was 18 years ago, and this was a guy who was in, uh, yo-yos. And so William went to Michaels and he got a bag of 14mm marbles, which is what a florist uses, and then they made— we took a batch of 30 pendants that were that size to an art show in Beverly Hills, and we sold out. And so we applied for a patent, and we have been making and selling it ever since.

Those are so fun.

Well, they're just so fantastic. And of course, you know, you start with kind of a neutral base and add all the colors or designs that you want. And I see rings and pendants and bracelets and earrings. Uh, there's so much going on here. Um, is— now, how did the jewelry end of that come about?

Oh, well, my husband, who who is William Skiles, is really the inventor here. And he has been— he's a self-taught jeweler. He'd been making fine jewelry at that point for probably 30 years. And neither of us wanted to work for somebody else. So we just thought we could figure out how to be artists on our own. And so he came up with this and It has been supporting and employing us for 18 years.

That's fantastic, and they're just beautiful. So now, if I came in and you didn't know me and I said, okay, what is your favorite thing?

Um, well, I think I always show this ring because it's the best-selling item we make. It's sterling silver, it comes with 20 marbles. For $95. And so that's like a starting point. The other thing is then after someone knows that they love their ring and they've got all their marbles, they come over here to one of the trays and they can— this is what I call the upsell because you can add any number of higher-end stones and really take it to another level.

I see cat's eyes and agates and all kinds of—

well, there's everything here from natural stones to some really blingy machine-made. And then we make bling bling these. Yeah, super bling.

Oh wow, shiny sparkly things.

And then these are metal marbles that we make. Everything in the shop here we make that is metal. Sorry, everything that's metal we make, then everything else we source out.

That's fantastic. And I really like the ones that look like little planets.

Mm, these I just got at the Tucson Gem Show, the Murano glass beads. Oh, and they're going live on our website on Monday.

Okay, so this is really cool because we have been to Murano, and I was just thinking how much some of this stuff looks very much like what we saw there.

And I can attest that we did see them there.

Yeah, it was beautiful stuff. Stuff there. That's very fun.

So that's been, yeah, very fun addition. I also have been to Murano and fell in love.

Yeah, Murano glass, right?

Okay, so one more thing that is super exciting for me, and a little bit later on in the show we're going to be talking about the steampunk convention. So I want you to tell us a little bit about the Mechanical Men.

So my husband William shops in the basement here, and he really has a passion for, uh, a part together, a part together, part together, figuring out things. So he's made a series of puppets, and then he really made a shrine for this one, and it's all—

it's super mechanical, super mechanical, hand-cranked little dancing skeleton puppet. I absolutely love these pieces. They appeal on so many levels with antiquity, old-style theater, steampunk, workmanship, clockmaking, the whole package. I absolutely love these guys.

Yeah, he is really cool.

Then this is a piece William made that is— he didn't actually make it for the puppet to sit in here, but because he makes the puppet repeatedly, this is a piece that he's made many of. But anyway, it works great. And he— this was started out as a piece of sculpture that was flipped. This was the platform. Okay. And it was unrelated to how it is now, but once you have parts, it's so fun to put things together.

That's fun. And if you look at the base, it has like a zeppelin kind of a shape, and the whole thing has a floaty feel. With the guy. It looks like a flying car or something with the puppet. It's just super fun.

Okay, so I have to interject, it reminds me of the landspeeder in Star Wars. There was the very— wait, Star Wars number 4, which was really the first Star Wars ever that premiered, but it was number 4, and there was the landspeeder on maybe Dantooine headed over to the cantina bar.

Star Wars geek alert!

I remember it, I remember. There was—

they were You don't, you don't need these. You do need to let us go through or something. Obi-Wan and Luke were flying around.

So shot from this angle, it even looks like it more.

It looks more— oh, look at that! Oh wow, that is so fun. Yeah, so this does— it's kind of— this is really fun. I wasn't thinking about this because we're going to talk about steampunk, but, uh, this is pretty much, uh, another one of the artistry connections to steampunk is that people people are using such great metal pieces and stuff to create, which is what William's done here, is uses metal. I mean, look at all the parts on this guy.

Well, and so some of them use a jeweler's process. So he's made a mold for this part, which he can cast repeatedly, and the hand and the shoes.

Wow.

And then some of it's fabricated.

It's so fun. He's a cool dude. I wouldn't want to—

I think it's a girl.

It's a girl.

I wouldn't, I wouldn't want to meet her anywhere out in public. Let's just say unhinged. Yes, I wouldn't want to meet her out in public. So, and then in the back there, which we're— I'm not going to go back in there, but that's the studio where you work on making the jewelry.

And somewhat, we actually outgrew this space for the manufacturing.

Okay.

And make it on 44th Street here in town. Oh, so this is pretty much still William's shop in the basement, and then our make-ready stuff for product.

So William's shop in the basement, uh, he's making this metal work all the time?

Yes, he's also doing prototypes for new things we're making. So he just made this last week, and so that's a first what do you call it, prototype.

Nice.

And then we have to figure out how to make it as a production piece, right? So, and that kind of thing he does in the privacy of his studio downstairs.

What are you wearing right now? What's the two— what is in these?

I'm wearing two stacker rings with a ring in between that we make that's a spacer ring so they sit nicely.

Yeah.

And then this is an opal, okay, lab-created opal in this one. One, and this is a metal 14-karat gold ball in this one, and this one has the new Nautilus gem marble in it.

Nice. Yeah, thanks. Yeah, they're very fun. And then we have— you have two on.

This is, uh, I don't know if anyone remembers frying marbles, but that's a fried marble, which is really gorgeous because they fracture but stay integral.

Yeah, it's beautiful. It sparkles like crazy. I'm watching that like sparkle from inside.

And this is actually the old plain marble size. Um, then this is, this is our new line that's plated. That's a $33 pendant, comes with 10 marbles. I happen to have a $55 opal in there.

Nice.

So we really have— and then my earrings. Yeah, they also have a fried marble in them. Oh, and they're very lightweight.

They're very fun.

It's the best piece of travel jewelry ever.

You know, that's what I like about it. I mean, I don't wear jewelry, but I'm thinking from one of the components of not wearing jewelry is I guess I would always want stuff that matched, and, and, um, I think the cool thing that's going on is that you can take a small amount but make so much from it, cuz then you would be be able to change all the different colors for outfits that you have.

So one of my slogans is, it's for any fashion emergency.

Nice, any fashion emergency. That's beautiful. So, uh, where's William's stuff then? Um, where is there— is this stuff for sale in another place besides here? Because he does more metal work, right?

Occasionally at sculpture shows here in Tucson.

Okay.

Currently we're sort of regrouping because we're photographing it and going to apply for some sculpture shows. Yeah, like in LA and New York.

And if somebody wanted some metal art like this but they wanted something specific, does he work with people on making something to like an idea? So they would come here and to the store here and meet you guys and talk about it. Is that the best way to get a hold of you? And how is there a phone number that they call to get hold of you if they want to call in?

Our Got All Your Marbles phone number, which is 628-1433.

628-1433. And I will post that as well so people can call you. But it's better to come visit because especially on Saturdays you're here.

I am. Um, if they want to meet with William, uh, making an appointment ahead of time is better cuz he's here, there, here, there, here, there.

Yeah. Or working hard or hiding in the basement. Um, So, um, it would be great on a Saturday because we're here on Saturdays and they could stop by our place and your place and say hi to both of us.

Oh, that would be wonderful.

That'd be really fun and we could all have a blast. Okay, so, um, do you have any other questions for Lisa about what's going on here? Oh, I do. So tell us really quick, Lisa, you have some other items in here and they're right in this window and, um, they're very fun teacups. And I'm thinking, um, Matt had our tea party fun.

Well, it's a— this is a Tucson potter whose work I have loved for 30 years. His name is Don Swanson. I love telling people that he's a big burly man because his work is always floral related. Yeah, he has these great touches, nice, like a— his signature and always a rose on the bottom, and it's just So appealing.

Yeah, it's really fun. So that's awesome. So if they wanted to come here to see all of this fun stuff, you're open on Saturdays for sure, and you can always call and check to see what times you're here.

Yes.

Perfect. Thank you so much for letting us come in and invade your space today. So we—

now we're gonna switch places, and Tony Ray Baker is gonna tell you a little bit about what's coming up today and And this weekend and next weekend.

I don't know what's going on today. I can tell you— here, let you have that phone. I'll tell you, I'm gonna have to read this paper. Okay, I'm a little behind. We had, um, so we had the house on, uh, in Rita Ranch that we just listed, and it had 6 showings in a day, and it had 3 offers, and it sold. So I was going to talk about that house, uh, and give you more information, but not now. So I better tell you what's up and coming, and what's up and coming on housing for us is we've got a really cool condo that we're getting ready to list, and that is over by Tanque Verde area. And then we've got, we've got somebody coming in. Hey, it's Tommy J. You go a little—

we're good.

Okay. And so we have a really nice condo. It's It's going to be around $100,000 and it is, it is all remodeled and it's right over by Tanque Verde at that Pantano overpass area. So it's a great location. So that's coming up. Those are hard to find right now. So if you have somebody or you know somebody who may be interested in that, give us a call at 631-8669. I think we'll have it on the market by Wednesday or Thursday. So you may want to call us sooner. And of course, Of course, we have the house that we're building, which is on Cuesta. That's, it's a 3-bedroom, 2-bath with a garage right near Mercado, which is a really big deal. And then we just found out about some very, very cool bungalows that are going into the area around Armory Park. And there is one up and ready for show. It will not ever probably be on the market. You will not see it in MLS or Zillow Zillow or any of those places. So you need to call us because, uh, the builder has— it's ready to go and he's ready to show. He's also got 3 more lots there, so he's going to, um, work with somebody to kind of put in other houses in those areas, and they're going to be really beautiful bungalows in that historic style with everything new you would want inside. We saw it yesterday, it's amazing. So you want to call me on that. The The first one is about $325,000, I believe, is his price range, and so it's a great price. And it does have a parking space inside the lot. So there's street and parking inside the lot, which is great. So that's housing for today. Let's talk about what's going on today and tomorrow. The Spring Arts Festival we told you about last week is of course running this weekend up in Oro Valley Marketplace. That is a big— fun, 150 artists, and there's food and there's activities. It's a beautiful sunny day with a bright blue sky, so wear your really good sunglasses, of course, and go have fun. This is a great day to get out. Butterfly Magic is going on still at the Botanical Gardens, and they have the deadly frogs. I really want to go see those because they're supposed to look like little miniature pieces of ceramic or something. And then the Tortoise and the Hare is the Tucson Symphony Orchestra today, and the Tucson Jewish Community Center has their social bridge group going on as well. And I think you— if you want to do hot air balloon tours, from what I'm watching, you want to get called and scheduled for hot air balloon tours because it's been cold in the morning still, but it will start warming up, it looks like, because because we're having just beautiful weather, as we always do for winter. So let's talk about some fun stuff for next weekend so you're prepared. There's two children's events going on. The Presidio's having an event in downtown. We did a live show from the Presidio back a few months ago. The Presidio is doing a children's event for kids 3 to 8, and that event will be at 10:30 on March 4th, and then after that event is over, you can take the kids and go to the health and fitness fair over at the Tucson Community Center, and they are, I mean, sorry, at the Children's Museum. I got the wrong place. So the health and wellness fair for kids is at the Children's Museum, and that's from 10 to 2, but they're open 10 to 5, and admission is free all day. Now I really want to tell you what I'm excited about, which is steampunk. Which is why I love that stuff over there. Because we love steampunk. And I've been waiting for this convention for a very long time. So the steampunk convention is on March 3rd through 5th. So March 3rd through 5th, this kind of fun stuff, but wrapped around live human beings. Because I've seen the pictures and everybody dresses up and gets crazy. Do you go, Lisa? Have you ever been?

No, but I'd love to, but I'll be out of town.

Come on, let's do it. Tommy J, have you been?

I'll be in Hawaii.

Oh, Tommy J will be in Hawaii. So Darren and I will be there. So you have to come out. People really dress for this event. It's at Old Tucson Movie Studios. What a great place for this. It's perfect. And people really dress up and get into the cause for steampunk. And there's going to be some really fun stuff. Stuff out there. So that is next week, March 3rd through 5th is the convention. It's a big convention to run 3 days. Um, and then Monster Jam, if you're into trucks, I think it's big trucks and stuff. Now I'm looking to these guys and they're getting the shoulders.

I don't know.

Uh, it's called Monster Jam Triple Threat, and that is going to be at the Tucson Community Center, and that is the March through, uh, 3rd through the 5th as well. So you can go to Both of those events, you can go to Steampunk Convention and you can go to Monster Jam, and there's all that going on next weekend. We're having great weather in Tucson. It's a great time to get out. There's also one last thing. We got to check this out last night, so you have to come down and see this. There's a place called Martin Drug Company, which is at the— it's in downtown, just on on Congress, just a few buildings up here. And it was originally Martin Drug Company. It was a restaurant for a while called Proper, but it's now a pop-up bar. And I mean pop-up, it's all going to go away. And if you ever saw the movie Get 'Em to the Greek where they were petting the furry walls, this whole building is furry. The whole inside is furry walls, and it's done in such a great chic way. You have to go in. They just do cocktails and they think they have popcorn. So cocktails and popcorn, and it's a pop-up bar and you have to see it. It's called Martin Drug Company and it is in the building where Proper used to be. And our understanding is what's going to happen is it is an affiliate to the Playground folks that own the Playground, and the Playground is actually going under renovation. So when it goes under remodel for the summer, they're gonna remodel, they're having their pop-up bar, which is the Martin Drug Company pop-up bar, and that will be going sort of to help, you know, for overflow over there. And then after the Playground has completed their remodel, we understand that the Martin Drug Company pop-up bar will disappear. So you have a few months to enjoy it and see the furry walls, and they make really, really great craft cocktails there. So it's a really great place to go join. And now Tommy J, you can take that, the camera, and we'll say goodbye. And, um, Darren, do you have anything else you want to add to that? Darren's holding the camera right now. Darren's running away.

Give Darren a hand for his camera work.

Okay, everybody, the camera.

I'd like to thank Lisa for letting us be here today.

Yeah, look, I just love all the colors. I just know from me, if it were— I would want to just be like, that's a great trip. I mean, you take this on a trip, I love that idea. Oh yeah, what is that? Oh, it's a— so it's the legs. That is so fun.

So this is another one of the mechanicals.

That's one of my favorites. Want to hold it?

Sure. Actually, it's probably easier to study it. And you can demo.

You can demo clockwise or counterclockwise.

Just count.

Look how fun. Hey, this is perfect for our old Tucson movie Studio.

Yeah, really? Can I do the cowboy?

It's cowboy, it's everything there.

That's awesome. I love it.

That is awesome.

I love it.

It's beautiful.

The other thing I love about this is the— it shows how simple it is, and then let's see how simple the mechanics are.

How fine.

Yeah, just so simple.

Fantastic. All right, so if you want to see any of the events that we talked about today, go to seetucsonhomes.com. That's seetucsonhomes.com. S-E-E Tucson Homes with an S. And call us if you want to know about— we have some really great houses coming up that are not on the market. They're not available to the public yet. Call us if you want to see those or talk about those. And if you need any information, of course, on buying or selling houses, real estate, we do residential, right? Yep. And how do they get a hold of us if they want to call?

Well, you can give me a call at 520-730-5203. Yep. You can call Tony Ray Baker at 520-631-8669, or you can visit our website at ctucsonhomes.com.

I'm Tony Ray Baker with Tierra Antigua Realty.

I'm Darren Jones with Tierra Antigua Realty.

And we appreciate you being here. Please like and share this page so we can talk to you. If you ever want to pop in on the page and say hi to us, we'd be glad to answer questions and say hello. Have an incredible Tucson weekend.

Have a great weekend.