 Happy Cooler Weather Greetings...😊 ...if it stays this nice, I'm all for it! We just had an amazing fun show at the Rice Old Creamery Crafts Fair this past weekend. I tried to post an update on Friday before the show, but for some reason our internet was either super slooooow, or there was an issue with the edit part of my website, because it would never load for me to post anything.... The weather for the most part was actually super nice, except for a bit of rain on Saturday and a very cool breeze on Sunday morning. THANK YOU to all who came out and visited my booth (as well as Warren's BBQ booth getting some sauce). It was nice to catch up with friends, customers and make new friends for the jewelry! Your support means SO much to us and we are grateful for your patronage. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023 Event: Backwards Bread Co. 4th Anniversary Event (NNB & BBQ Food) Time: 7 am - 2 pm Where: Backwards Bread Co., 3360 Southway Drive Town: Saint Cloud, MN Backwards Bread is hosting their annual Anniversary Celebration. This time the dates fell differently for that Saturday, so I will be set up with my jewelry for their event (when normally that's around my NotesNBling annual Open House at the studio) and of course hubby Warren will serve breakfast burritos in the morning and then for lunch, Beef Brisket BBQ sandwiches on Backwards Bread's Brioche buns and cheese curds and fries... Date: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 Event: NotesNBling Annual Open House Customer Appreciation Time: 10 am - 4 pm Where: At NotesNBling Studio/Home (email notesnbling@gmail.com for address) (If rain or cold, sale and hangout will be inside the house) Town: Sauk Rapids, MN There will be a drawing for a special necklace or bracelet (not sure which yet) and of course the "draw-your-own-sale" and some discounts on selected items. I'll have some refreshments and snacks. I'm hoping for nice weather so we can sit outside on the deck and visit a while too. This is the one time when you can take your time shopping without the pressures of crowds of the craft/art shows. Should the weather turn cold/rainy/uber windy, then I'll be moving everything inside. I'll be updating my Facebook page (Facebook.com/NotesNBling) should I have to go inside, so be sure to check that before you head out. If you have my number you can also text me. Most of my customers already know the address, but if you've bought from me at a show and didn't get a flyer with the address, just email to: notesnbling@gmail.com for directions. Date: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 Event: Sartell Winter Market (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S Town: Sartell, MN It's that time of year again when our little Farmers Market starts up indoors at the Sartell Community Center. We should be in the Senior Room again as we have been in past years. NOTESNBLING JEWELRY: I've been super busy making lots of new designs and it's been cool to be able to show off some of the new collections at the Rice Craft Show. New Collections are the "Paris Inspired" designs and more new Southwest designs. The Paris inspiration came from watching a fellow artist's Facebook lives while she was over in Paris, France for a month in May. It was so interesting to see all the new ideas of how they create jewelry there and it gave me a lot of cool inspiration for some of the pendants I had laying around in my stash for a few years! So the abalone shells got a cool look as did the cone shaped shells I bought from a unique store a couple years ago when out of town. I gave those a nice wire wrap with Czech beads and they turned out fabulous and then paired them with different beads and charms to match the theme. Out of that collection came the "Glasses Keepers" a suggestion from one of my customers. The Daisy half cuff was a find from "my" bead store - sadly they only had 4... The Southwest Collection has a "rusty" but super cool look (they aren't rusted, they just look that way) in a feather and horses all matched either with Turquoise or Czech beads. To the copper round on the fired medallion necklace I added the hand stamped "Beach" letters and finally the cool leopard earrings have vintage beads on sterling silver earwires. IN ENDING:
Make sure you keep checking my Facebook page: Facebook.com/NotesNBling for updates on events and all the NEW designs I'm creating. There isn't enough room to add them all here, but they are getting listed on my Facebook page. My Etsy store doesn't have any of the new designs yet, because with having had bigger shows.... I make them.... and they sell! 🤷♀️. It's a good thing, but not good if one needs to put some updated items on the Etsy site.... If it only wasn't so complicated and time consuming to list items, I'd get it done. Most of my time is spent designing... Well, fall shows are starting soon, so I'm sure I will see some of you out there. In the "hamburger" menu up on the right hand corner, under "Event Dates", you'll find the upcoming shows listed in reverse order with the last shows of the year in the beginning. Until the next time or I see you... May you be blessed, keep healthy and may the peace of God keep and strengthen you as you navigate through life. In His grace, Sam
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  Hello again....aaand we are into SUMMER! We have had a very busy June with life happening and events! Starting off June was a BBQ event for hubby at Craiguns Resort for the Teen Challenge Fishing Tournament Weigh-in. Then after that it was time to get ready for the TNT Fireworks tent for 2 weeks at Coborns Parking lot in Sauk Rapids through July 5. Then take back the fireworks we didn't sell to the distribution center in the Cities. We needed a few days rest after all that and get things at home re-organized and cleaned. It was a good season, but I'm glad it's done! I'm so thrilled I could finally get back to creating! I had to do some hustling in creativity to get ready for the first show after a month and a half in Pine City for their Annual Art Fest. This is the second year I've participated as a vendor there. My booth space (as most others in the park) is such a nice shady spot! Yay! ...and the event was a blast!! So thankful for a friend who spend the time with me during the event! Now to the UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023 Event: Art In The Gardens (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 6 pm Where: Munsinger Gardens, 1301 Riverside Dr. SE Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Friday, July 21, 2023 Event: Backwards Bread Patio Events (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9 am - 1 pm. (Live Music: 9-11) Where: Backwards Bread Co., 3360 Southway Dr. Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Friday & Saturday, August 4 & 5, 2023 Event: Flekke Fest (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9 am - 4 pm each day Where: KR Digital Frame & Gift Shop, 15 Central Ave. S Town: Elbow Lake, MN NotesNBling New Goodies: Although there wasn't much creating being done in June and half of July, I've managed to make a few items which will be at the upcoming shows until sold... The items from left to right. Top Row: Lightweight Acrylic Feather Earrings with Beach Glass Bead on sterling ear wires. They are long... 4.5", but super light and VERY COOL! Today I made some Cloisonné beaded earrings and an 18" necklace to go with one of the earrings. They are paired with Czech beads and a Vintaj component, earrings are on sterling ear wires, necklace is on violet 1mm leather. The other 3 necklaces are a NEW design idea from PARIS! This seems to be one of the latest styles there and I picked up the idea and ran with it, making my own versions. There's more along those lines to come, like a cute all charm necklace... The cat earrings are lightweight acrylic paired with vintage Czech beads on sterling ear wires! Had to have a bit of Southwest too, so I found these cute super light cactus charms and paired those with genuine Turquoise stone beads. If you hover over the pictures, there will be a caption with price and description. Thanks for checking them out and maybe see them in person at a show! IN ENDING:
Also there are some ideas I'm playing with, like doing some DIY projects and Facebook Lives to show how to make a design and then make it available as a DIY kit for you all. Let me know what y'all think about that idea. I've been wanting to do it, but the implementation isn't as easy, since I buy supplies in small quantities just to make a few designs since I try to make each piece unique. So having to think about keeping more stock is a bit daunting. So depending on interest, we may have to do Pre-Orders so I'll know for sure how much I'm to buy for each design.... Thank you to all who have been coming out to the shows and supporting my small business. It's always good to see you, hug a neck or two and get caught up on happenings. Until next time..... Hugs and love, Sam  Finally it is May and with it.... 👏🏻 (applause) 👏🏻....WARM temperatures!!! I already bought some flowers and started one of my pots, and today I got a Lobelia hanging pot for one of my shepherd hooks in the backyard. We are also sprucing up our fence as two years ago the wind started a demolishing project which was finished after this last winter season with all the snow and ice we had. I'm excited to get a vinyl fence!! It'll look sharp! We also had to replace our gutters....oh my, the ice literally made them fall off the roof 😳😳😳 The grass is starting to green up and I can't wait to clean up the deck and put the patio furniture out and sit outside to enjoy the fresh air - no mosquitos as of yet!! This summer will be busy with some events again. Hubby Warren will be in Brainerd for the Teen Challenge Fishing Tournament at Craiguns Resort June 3rd, cooking up his BBQ Beef Brisket, BBQ Chicken, Brats and Hotdogs and those yummy white cheese curds!! Then Warren will do the TNT Fireworks tent again at Coborns Grocery store parking lot in Sauk Rapids June 24-July 5. Then we have a few craft shows and another BBQ in August at Deerwood Summerfest the second weekend in August, which we have done now for the last 10 years I think. Ok, now to the list of upcoming shows this month. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday May 20, 2023 Event: Bobbing Bobber Brewing Co. Vendor Market (NNB only) Time: 10 am - 5 pm Where: Bobbing Bobber Brewing Co., 900 Highway 15 S. Town: Hutchinson, MN Date: Saturday, May 27, 2023 Event: Crosslake Craft & Flea Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 9am - 4 pm Where: 13716 County Road 103 Town: Crosslake, MN Date: Saturday, July 15, 2023 Event: Pine City Arts Fest (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 9am - 3 pm Where: Robinson Park, 200-298 Fifth Street SE Town: Pine City, MN Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023 Event: Art In The Gardens (NNB & BBQ Food) Time: 10 am - 6 pm Where: Munsinger Gardens, 1301 Riverside Dr. SE Town: St. Cloud, MN JEWELRY Since it got nice and warm we had to do some outside work (see the very beginning of this update), so I haven't been at the design table as much. Thankfully I have a huge product line ready for the shows, so there will be plenty of new things (as well as some standards) for you to browse at the events. Here are a few of the new items: I've had some fun responses to the acrylic lil cat charms with a pair of earrings I made (first photo) and so a customer requested a necklace with a pendant as a custom order. I loved the idea and thus created a little 17" choker with a matching pendant (second photo) to the deep blue kitty earrings. As always the necklace is genuine knotted leather with vintage beads. The other three photos show a design I created for the store in Elbow Lake ( KR-Digital Frame and Gift shop) to carry. The necklace and the earrings are made with vintage look seaglass and the earrings also have Czech seed beads and sterling silver for the ear wire. The folks at KR-Digital are good friends of ours and have been carrying my jewelry now over 4 years I believe. Time goes so fast you just about lose track. Of course those of you who can't make it to Elbow Lake....don't worry, if you like the designs, I made some as well for my stand to have available at the upcoming shows 😊. IN ENDING:
I'm excited to venture into the outdoor shows under my turquoise blue tent. Although the setup can be challenging, especially when I'm by myself (when Warren isn't setting up at the same event due to a kayak fishing tournament or a BBQ), as the tent can be a handful at times. If it's windy and I have to hang on to the tent, then it's much harder to serve my customers. Otherwise the outdoor shows are a great time to meet new people, gain new "fans" and form friendships, as well as catch up with friends and longtime customers. I'm hoping to find some friends who would volunteer to come hang out with me at those events where I have to set up by myself... (hint...hint).😁😁😁 Hope you all are excited that summer is here, especially us Northerners are super happy, you all in the South are probably really hot already. I'm praying the summer months will be good for you all and us as well and that none of us will have to deal with severe storms and damages. May the Lord bless you all. Until next time, ❤️ Sam Maybe now we can finally say 🌺 "Happy Spring" 🌺?? We sure had some surprise white stuff ❄️ and we all are SO tired of it in MN. Let's hope that season is finally done and we all can move on with Spring, right? Since April is just about done, I'll keep this one short and let you know of upcoming events... UPCOMING EVENTS: Just listing the next upcoming shows.... more to come in the May Notes! Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023 Event: St. Augusta Legion Spring Show (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am - 2 pm Where: St. Augusta American Legion, 1894 247th Street Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023 Event: Avon Spring Fling Outdoor Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 9 am - 1 pm Where: Wobegon Trailhead Park, 108 Second Street NE. Town: Avon, MN JEWELRY: Here are a few pictures of some recently created items. ...from left to right TOP row: Larimar stone "Curves" earrings. Czech bird disc and bell flower. Larimar stone short earrings with silver jump ring. Cat Dangles with Czech beads. Blue Crystal wire wrapped in non-tarnish copper wire. ALL earrings have Sterling ear wires. ....from left to right BOTTOM row: Blue crystal wire wrapped in non-tarnish copper wire & Labradorite stone beads on leather cord. Flowing Feather earrings in "Tortoise" and next to that in "Multi", both with sea glass beads. Jade bead stretch anklet. Vintage beads and Red Sea Glass leather beaded bracelet. ALL earrings have Sterling ear wires. IN ENDING:
We have enjoyed a few really fun craft shows recently and met new customers and made new friends. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported my small business, and also Warren's with his home made BBQ sauce. Please keep us in prayer as Warren is having to make new decisions concerning work to minimize his stress level (and thus mine too). Now we face new challenges and I hope to keep busy with my business to help make ends meet in the meanwhile. Pray that all businesses who still owe us money for snow removal pay on time, as we need that income now more than ever. See y'all at the shows and here for the next update in May. Blessings, Sam  Happy Spring dear friends! It's so exciting that we are in March and April is coming soon and with it hopefully spring like and warmer temps. We still have mounds and mounds of snow here in MN. Our town actually has the 4th largest snowfall in 2023 in it's snow history. Somehow I'm just not very thrilled about that "record". You probably noticed that I've chosen to use my NotesNBling banner instead of a music banner for this update. Most of my work has shifted to making jewelry, but the Notes are still there as I'm not giving up on the music and still will play occasionally. So, who all is ready for some sunshine and warmth? PERSONALLY: We were able to get away this Spring Break to visit family in Oklahoma! We never get away due to the snow plowing, but this year we decided to just do it. Warren had a kayak bass fishing tournament to go to in Louisiana/TX border and I got to stay with his ma and one of his sisters. We also had a family funeral to attend as the last of his mom's sister's had passed away. Although the weather wasn't as warm as we had hoped for, it sure was nice not to see any snow, experience a bit of rain and for us (from MN) warmer temps in the 50's and high 60's. I'm good with that.... LOL. My sister in law is into bowling, so I got to go with to the tournaments she had scheduled to bowl in and while she and her team bowled, I beaded.... You'll see the results in upcoming posts on my NotesNBling Facebook page. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023 Event: Sartell Winter Farmers Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S. Town: Sartell, MN Date: Sunday, April 2, 2023 Event: Roadside Tavern Spring Sale (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am - 2 pm Where: Roadside Tavern, 531 Main Street Town: Roscoe, MN Date: Saturday, April 8, 2023 Event: Scheels Complex Craft/Vendor Sale (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am - 3:30 pm Where: Scheels Complex, 1109 1st Street South Town: Sartell, MN Date: Saturday, April 22, 2023 Event: Spring Spectacular Craft Show (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10:30 am - 4 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S Town: Sartell, MN Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023 Event: St. Augusta Legion Spring Show (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am - 2 pm Where: St. Augusta American Legion, 1894 247th Street Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023 Event: Avon Spring Fling Outdoor Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 9 am - 1 pm Where: Wobegon Trailhead Park, 108 Second Street NE. Town: Avon, MN JEWELRY: Here are a few pictures of some of the items I've created lately. From left to right: Earrings with Czech Flowers & Beads, Sterling ear wires. Bracelet (stretchy) with Seaglass, Czech bird and Greek Spacers. Necklace with Antiqued Turquoise Recycled Glass Beads, Seaglass beads on Knotted Leather. Earrings with Dove Links and Austrian Crystal Crosses and Czech Beads with Sterling ear wires. Last photo is a stone essential oil bottle with stainless interior that you can put EO inside and have with to put a drop on your wrist when you like and have a fashion statement around your neck. To see more items I create or re-stock, make sure you check out my Facebook page: Facebook.com/NotesNBling. IN ENDING:
I'm ever so grateful to have been able to see family! Living away so far from relatives is becoming harder the older we get. We miss them and miss having that time together, it is way too rare. However in the meantime I want to say thank you to all my customers who come out to the shows, for loving my items, for loving Warren's sauce, loving on us and supporting our small business efforts. You guys (and some of our friends here of course) make it worth it to be in MN. Please keep us in prayer as Warren deals with unruly kiddos on his bus and patience for him. For my sister & brother in law in OK as they are dealing with health issues. For me that creative ideas keep flowing and for continued good shows and getting to chat with or hug on all my customers! Until next time, Sam |
Christian Organic Folk Singer/Songwriter & Author
based in Minnesota See my Jewelry!
 Psalm 100 Scripture
1 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. Archives
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