I've had serious FOMO watching everyone attend The Permanent Jewelry Expo over past years and I knew this was my year to finally go. Not just to attend, but to show up as an vendor and represent AG Jewelry Supply Co. in person.
After doing pop-ups for my jewelry line, Alexandra Gioia, for over a decade, taking my supply company on the road felt like stepping into a whole new adventure. While all of our permanent jewelry supplies are available online, showcasing them in person brought a whole new level of excitement and a few creative challenges too! From figuring out how to display our chains, connectors, and jump rings beautifully, to finding the perfect plastic bottle at my local grocery store to stand in for our argon sleeve display (because I wasn’t about to travel with an argon tank!), every detail mattered.
It was also my first time flying without my kids. The thought of traveling without them took a lot of prayer, encouragement from friends and family, and even therapy sessions to work through. A fellow permanent jewelry artist, Veronica of Forever Chains by V spotted my permanent bracelet stack as she was walking on the plane and asked if I was heading to PJX. She sat next to me and kept me distracted the whole flight as we chatted about both of our businesses. I’m so glad I didn’t let fear hold me back. My husband came with me, and it turned into the perfect mix of work and vacation — our first real getaway together since becoming parents.
We landed in San Antonio, Texas, and wow… as a South Florida girl, I thought I knew heat, but Texas took it to another level! We checked into our hotel, then made our way to the Convention Center to set up our 10x10 booth. Having my husband’s help made all the difference and there’s no way I could’ve done it alone! Once we wrapped up setup, we squeezed in a little exploring before the Welcome Reception. Lunch at Mi Tierra where I discovered my new obsession: green enchiladas.
Our booth neighbors, Dana and Lori from Stones and Findings, were incredible, and chatting with them each day became one of my favorite parts of the weekend. You’ll hear it again and again from anyone who’s attended PJX — one of the best parts of the event is meeting the vendors in person. There’s something special about being able to touch and feel the chains and really connect with the people behind the products. As a vendor I felt like a small fish in a big pond as I looked around and saw many vendors with tables and tables of chain displayed.
Beyond the shopping, what I loved most was being surrounded by so many inspiring women who get it. Women who understand the world of permanent jewelry and the ups and downs of building a business in this space. The conversations, the idea-sharing, the encouragement, it's invaluable.
The energy during the Expo was amazing from start to finish. One of my favorite parts was getting to meet so many of my customers in person. Women who’ve ordered from me online for months (or even years!) and finally put a face to the name. I can’t tell you how meaningful it was to hug them, chat about their businesses, and hear firsthand how they’ve been using AG Jewelry Supply Co. products in their own permanent jewelry business. Those face-to-face moments reminded me exactly why I started this business-to support other artists and help them grow with quality tools and supplies they can count on.
And let’s talk about our now patent pending Argon Sleeve — everyone loved them! I had so many people stop by my booth just to see it in person, and they ended up being such a hit that I completely sold out before the show ended.
Another product that got a ton of attention was our bezel earring backs. They were one of our top sellers of the weekend, and I loved showing attendees how perfect they are for turning leftover scrap chain into something new and unique for clients. It sparked so many creative conversations about how to maximize materials and add variety to permanent jewelry offerings.
I also made sure to carve out time to take a few classes during the Expo. While I was in workshops learning from other experts in the industry, my husband held down the fort at the booth like a pro and I think all the ladies loved him. There were TONS of class options to choose from no matter what stage you're at in business. There were many people I spoke to that hadn't even started their permanent jewelry business yet and I thought PJX was such a perfect place to start! I also loved that they offered hands-on training and had all the Sunstone welders available to test out. I loved being able to bring back fresh ideas and inspiration to implement in my own business — both for my jewelry line and for AG Jewelry Supply Co.
By the end of the weekend, my heart (and suitcase!) was full. You better believe I did some shopping of my own! I grabbed some great pieces from some of my faves like Essbe, Imprinted Supplies, Oriental Treasure, Stones and Findings, Sunstone, and Permanent Jewelry Bestie! I left feeling inspired, grateful, and beyond proud of what our little booth accomplished. The Permanent Jewelry Expo was proof that stepping outside your comfort zone can open so many doors.
If you’ve been thinking about attending next year whether as an artist, student, or vendor — go for it. You’ll walk away with new friends, business connections, and ideas that can completely transform your permanent jewelry journey. Link to PJX tickets