 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
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 As the snow is accumulating outside and hubby is out plowing his accounts, I'm sitting in my office, looking out and being thankful for warmth and electricity. Yesterday it snowed too and thankfully it was only about three inches or so for our area, which made the shoveling at home and the plowing the accounts much easier. Today on the other hand....with snow drifts and much more snow that fell (I'm thinking over 6 inches overnight...), I'm not looking forward too much going outside and shoveling. 🥶❄️☃️ I'm ready for Spring! How about you? 🌺🌻🌺 Well, speaking of Spring.... let's look at the upcoming craft show season and the events we have paid our vendor fees to attend: UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023 Event: Sartell Winter Farmers Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am -1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S. Town: Sartell, MN Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023 Event: Lake Wobegon Community Expo (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am -2 pm Where: Blattner Energy Community Center/Secondary School 30 Forest Ave. Town: Albany, MN Date: Monday, March 20, 2023 Event: Terebinth Refuge Stronger Together (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 5 -7 pm Where: Park Event Center, 500 Division Street Town: Waite Park, MN These are the Events coming up for the month of March. More dates are listed on the "Event Dates" page which you'll find in the "hamburger menu" on the right top corner. As always you can check my Facebook Page (Facebook.com/notesnbling) for the latest photos, info and upcoming events.... NotesNBling JEWELRY Usually I take the month of January and part of February off from designing new pieces, other than custom orders that need to be done. It was tax paperwork season and I'm so glad that's over with and done and taken to the accountant. So I've been at it again with making some new designs, re-stocking some popular pieces and working on new ideas. Here are some new things I've made lately: IN CLOSING:
A re-vamp of this website is eventually on the horizon, as my artistic expressions have been more towards the jewelry and designing than the music. Although I still have a love for the music and want to go back to writing, but I have a feeling the "concert" days are pretty much over, except now in just much smaller circles and that's quite alright actually. This season in my life I'm just wanting to have an attitude of gratitude to the Lord as He has always sustained us and provided for us. Not always in ways we thought, but He has never forsaken us. What this year holds for us as far as events goes, we don't know, but we take it one event at a time and plan upcoming ones according to how the Lord directs us. I'm so thankful that I get to continually be creative and design things that you all have come to love or have discovered new styles that you might otherwise not have tried out and that's always exciting. It's a pleasure to be able to still connect with folks and visit as people come out to events, which means making new connections, refreshing relationships and hugging some necks! Until we see you out there or the next newsletter, stay hopeful, faithful and trust the Lord in all things. Blessings, Sam  The holiday season is upon us! Are y'all ready?? We have been super busy with events and creating, making, custom orders and hubby with making sauce, rolling grapevine wreaths (from our 100 year old vine) and pallet wood crafts. We have been enjoying the craft show circuit quite a bit this year and have met so many wonderful and cool people. Gained new customers, made some friendships and connections, it's been great! We had a few little music events at a Senior Center here in town but that's been it. At this time I'm not sure where the music will go.... It is up to God to lead and guide. Had a couple scares health wise....I had to have the gall bladder removed and let me tell you, that's a pain like none other. Sure felt good right after surgery when it was gone. However in a way I grieved because it's a part of my body that God created when He made me and it's always sad to lose something He gave us for proper functioning of our bodies. We were also in a car accident this summer where Warren's new truck he won at the Ice Fishing Extravaganza in Brainerd in 2020 got major damage by someone who didn't see us and drove right into us making a u-turn.... But also that's all back in order and our bodies have pretty much recovered thanks to our chiropractor. I still have a few little issues, but also this season shall pass. Now - on to the upcoming events: UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Event: Holiday Sip & Shop (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 5-8 pm Where: The Hayloft Bar & Grill, 22779 MN 15 Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Event: St. Nick Nite Boutique (NNB only) Time: 3:30-7:30 pm Where: Holy Trinity Catholic School, 80 Edward Street S Town: Pierz, MN Date: Saturday, December 10, 2022 Event: NotesNBling Sip-N-Shop (NNB only) Time: 2-4 pm Where: NotesNBling Studio Town: Sauk Rapids, MN Date: Sunday, December 11, 2022 Event: Holiday Sip-N-Shop (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 11 am -4 pm Where: The Courtyards of Andover, 13545 Martin St. NW Town: Andover, MN This concludes 2022 as far as events go. Not sure if music wise we will play anywhere this year.... But if we do, it'll be announced on the Facebook pages (and on here of course). Events 2023: Date: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 Event: Sartell Farmers Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S. Town: Sartell, MN NotesNBling: I've been creating like crazy and making so many cool things and many have sold already, even before I could post photos on Facebook.... So here are some examples of latest creations. Come see us at the last shows if you're still looking for that special and unique gift. IN ENDING:
🎄 Now I want to wish everyone a very blessed Holiday season. 🎄 Hopefully spent with family, friends (including the furry kind 🐶🐱🐹🐺🐴) as they can comfort us so much with their devoted love to us) or neighbors or church family. Also the holidays usually bring about memories, some good, some bring tears, some bring grief as we miss loved ones gone on before us, some bring joy. Do the best where you're at, it's only one day, it's only a very short season. Most importantly, remember that you are loved by Christ Jesus (even when you don't feel it), He died for you and even though His birth wasn't exactly on December 25th, we can remember God sending His Son as a babe this season. He grew up, He learned, He hurt, He felt, He experienced human-ness.....yet, because of His love He gave Himself, a sacrifice of redemption, a celebration (His resurrection) we remember in the Spring. Peace in your hearts to all, Sam & Warren  What a beautiful fall we have had in Minnesota so far! This is super exciting! I love temperatures like this and I wish they would stay all winter long. However, the picture above will soon be coming. 🥶 We have had a busy October! Warren went fishing to the Kayak Bass Fishing Nationals in Tennessee that he qualified for. He had a great time, although fishing was tough for him and the majority of anglers, except for those who were local and knew where the best spots were. We also had a couple craft shows and then my Annual NotesNBling Open House at the studio. It was quite chilly that morning, yet thankfully it warmed up and the tent was setup in the wind-shade! Thank you so much to all who came out and supported this effort and taking advantage of the one time in the year where I give deeper discounts and giveaways! Now on to the schedule for what's coming up! There are some changes in times and a couple new events added for November! UPCOMING EVENTS: (Time changes confirmed now for the Sartell Winter Farmers Market and Howard Lake I had the wrong time previously. Two new shows added after Thanksgiving for Black Friday (25th) and Small Business Saturday (26th). Looking forward to seeing you all at the shows!) Date: Saturday, Nov 5, 2022 Event: Sartell Winter Farmers Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S. Town: Sartell, MN Date: Friday, November 11, 2022 Event: GJWHF (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Shopping Nite (NNB only) Time: 5 -9 pm Where: American Legion, 770 Dieckman Dr. Town: Paynesville, MN Date: Saturday, November 12, 2022 Event: Winter Wonderland Vendor/Craft/Bake Sale (NNB & BBQ Sauce) Time: 10 am - 3 pm Where: St. Cloud Eagles, 730 41st Ave. N Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Thursday, December 17, 2022 Event: Holiday Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 5-8 pm Where: Beaver Island Brewing Co. 216 6th Ave. S Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Saturday, November 19, 2022 Event: 43rd Annual Creative Crafts Fair (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9 am - 2 pm Where: Howard Lake Middle & High School, 8700 City. Rd 6 SW Town: Howard Lake, MN Date: Friday, November 25, 2022 Event: Holiday Kickoff Craft & Gift Show (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 1 - 4 pm Where: Melrose City Center, 225 1st Street NE Town: Melrose, MN Date: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 Event: Long Prairie Arts & Crafts Show (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9 am - 3 pm Where: Grey Eagle Secondary School, 510 9th Street NE Town: Long Prairie, MN Date: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 Event: Sartell Winter Farmers Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S. Town: Sartell, MN Date: Sunday, December 4, 2022 Event: Roadside Tavern Christmas Craft Sale (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 2 pm Where: Roadside Tavern, 531 Main Street Town: Roscoe, MN Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Event: Holiday Sip & Shop (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 5-8 pm Where: The Hayloft Bar & Grill, 22779 MN 15 Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 Event: St. Nick Nite Boutique (NNB only) Time: 3:30-7:30 pm Where: Holy Trinity Catholic School, 80 Edward Street S Town: Pierz, MN If you look at my events page (hamburger menu on top right) you'll find all the events listed to the end of 2022. New shows for next year are being planned but are not booked yet. THE JEWELRY: I've been VERY busy creating new designs and also re-stock some items that have been "hot sellers" and bring back a couple of wire wrapped small faceted Amethyst stone necklaces as they always seem to sell quick. So lately I've been playing with seed beads as you can see on a few bracelets and earrings. Over and over again I told myself to NEVER get into seed beading because they are just too small. However lately I discovered this nice size (through a fellow artist) that fits on 1mm & 1.5 mm leather because the holes are big enough. Now that I can work with! 😊😊😀 So stay tuned for more fun designs! Leather is still one of my main materials to work with besides Czech and Semi-Precious Stones...oh and wire wrapping... and...and...and. LOL. So don't miss the shows this fall to see all this cool stuff and maybe take home a piece or two for yourself or a present. IN ENDING:
Most of you know that I love the Lord Jesus and try to be someone who expresses His grace and there's times I fail miserably and times I'm glad and thankful that I've been obedient or listened, followed His direction and did the right thing. We all have seasons where we fail Him. Yet He never fails us. My reading last night was 2 Timothy 3. The verses 12-17 really stuck out to me and they so reflect the times. They reflect the evil that's being manifested today and they reflect how quickly we can be led astray if we don't stick with the truth of the scriptures and have them imparted into us by reading and studying ourselves. Too many false preachers out there who lead an apostate church.... 2 Timothy 3:12-17. Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Oh how much I wished this was still being thought and applied in our schools, our colleges, starting in our homes and in our churches. There are so many things out there that don't line up with scripture and we accept it as truth because we trust some person in the pulpit instead of asking God and learning through the Holy Spirit by looking into scripture ourselves and asking questions. Because of this and the lack of reverence for God, many are being deceived and thus deceive others. We must be rightly equipped for every good work, as we in ourselves cannot do it but only through Christ. If you are out there and struggling in this season or you don't know Christ as Lord and Savior, you don't need anyone to lead you in a prayer, or go to a conference, or go to a healing service - just right where you are you can talk to the Lord and He will hear a prayer of repentance and seeking His grace and forgiveness. Use your own words, express your own heartache, express your sorrow, express your grief, express you know you're a sinner, express repentance and He is faithful to save your soul. Honestly I don't know why I felt so strongly compelled to write this, but for some reason I guess it had to be typed. It's not in fancy words or eloquent speech. Rather it is from the heart as times are wicked and people are weary and tired. Maybe someone will read this, see it, and give their life to Christ, right where they are in life, in their sin and in their desire for hope, forgiveness and healing of their soul through the only one who can - and that's Christ Jesus. Now may you all have a wonderful November, Thanksgiving holiday coming up, so this month (as should be the rest of the year) take moments of reflections of things you are thankful for, even in the midst of difficulties, there are always moments we can thank God for. If we look for Him in the midst of it all - we will find Him right there with us. He said He would never leave nor forsake us. Sometimes it seems that way, but our perception of things right within the difficult moments should never make us angry at God or walk away from the only One who can turn things around. If we are faithful it will come to pass - just stay faithful, and most of all....TRUST! Blessings to all - and hopefully see you at one of the shows, Sam  It's funny..... I realized that the newsletter tends to start with .... the weather... 🤷♀️ Must be one of those things..... Fall is here and so is the cooler weather, which is kinda nice on one hand but I tell ya, I'm NOT looking forward to what's coming.... I need to become a snow bird. But not Arizona, I think Tennessee sounds really nice! We just brought the flower pots into the garage to keep them from freezing. I think tonight will be 31 degrees and I still want my plants to be around at least until after my Open House Oct. 8. We have had ONE busy summer! Whew. I missed the August post altogether, whops! We were in Elbow Lake for the Flekke Fest at KR-Digital (the store that carries my jewelry line), set up in front of their store in our tents. Warren sold his sauce and wood crafts. Then we were in Deerwood, MN for the Deerwood Summerfest, where Warren cooked Beef Brisket BBQ & Chicken Sandwiches, made Brats & Hotdogs, tons of Cheese Curds (cos they are just the best) and Fries... I helped serve. We had to rent an U-Haul to pull the BBQ Trailer as Warren's truck is still in repair (to this day) after a lady ran into us in July. After that I made a trip to Indiana with a friend to see PETRA in concert who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary as a band in Angola IN. It was super nice to catch up with all of the guys as some of them I don't get to see very much anymore. The rest of the month we had company. September started out with the Crosslake Flea Market and the big 2-day Old Creamery Craft Show in Rice, MN. Now we are heading into the fall season of craft shows. Which brings me to the..... UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, October 1, 2022 Event: Backwards Bread Farmers Market Time: 7am-1pm Where: Backwards Bread Company, 3360 Southway Drive Town: Saint Cloud, MN I will be set up with my jewelry under my turquoise tent and Warren will be cooking Brisket Breakfast Burritos/BBQ Sandwiches, Cheese Curds, Brats and the buns will be from Backwards Bread! Yummy! Date: Saturday, October 8, 2022. (WE WILL BE IN 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS) Event: Backwards Bread Anniversary Celebration & Market Time: 7am-2pm Where: Backwards Bread Company, 3360 Southway Drive Town: Saint Cloud, MN Warren will be cooking for this event! Brisket Breakfast Burritos/BBQ Sandwiches, Cheese Curds, Brats and the buns will be from Backwards Bread! While I will be here at the NotesNBling Studios backyard for my open house.... 👇 see below 👇 Date: Saturday, October 8, 2022 Event: NotesNBling Annual Open House / Customer Appreciation Time: 10-4 Where: Outdoors at the NNB Studio (email for personal invitation) Town: Sauk Rapids, MN This is the time when I can do sales. So there will be items at 50% off, 25% off, draw your own %-Sale, Drawings, Giveaways, hangout time - all outdoors. I'll have my turquoise event tent set up for you to browse the jewelry. My deck will have the patio chairs for visiting and we'll have some lil snacks and maybe coffee/tea and lemonade. So come any time during those hours.... If you know my address, you know where to go. If you don't, please email: notesnbling@gmail.com for address. Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022 Event: St. Augusta Legion Fall Show (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10am - 2pm Where: St. Augusta American Legion, 1894 247th St. Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Saturday, Nov 5, 2022 Event: Sartell Farmers Market (NNB & BBQ Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 1 pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street S. Town: Sartell, MN I'll attach the latest flyer below for the other upcoming winter events. Some are yet to be confirmed (such as GJWHF, Roadside Tavern and St. Nick Nite Boutique), but they are shows I've done for a few years, they keep the same time frame - I'm just waiting on the forms to be sent out.  PERSONALLY: I had a little scare last week with a twice trip to the ER, with chest pains. Thankfully it wasn't the heart but the gallbladder. So I had emergency surgery on Tuesday morning to take it out. Now I'm sore, recovering, but feeling SO much better! Thankfully I felt good enough to make it to the Midwest Artisan Market at the Sartell Community Center last Saturday! It really felt good to be out, seeing my customers/friends and be able to sit and still rest in between. Poor hubby had to carry everything and set things up for me PLUS his own booth. I remember a time a few years back when I had to do that for him, when he broke his ankle.... Nice to be able to help one another. MUSIC WISE: I still do music locally and of course upon request still go to my favorite places in Wisconsin. Traveling way out of state (unless Warren is along), I won't do so much anymore. So if you're in WI and you know who you are.... you can still contact me to do a concert. I'd love to see everyone anyways.... THE JEWELRY: Since I haven't travelled too far these days, most of my creative efforts have been going to the jewelry. It's really taken off and people love it, I'm getting custom orders, or need to make more for upcoming shows. It's been a blast. I do miss the concerts, but so thankful I'm still being creative - just designing now - and still able to love on and connect with folks. Here are some photos of some of the latest items I've designed: IN ENDING:
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who are in the path of the tropical storm down in and around Florida's southern edges.... Y'all stay safe and keep your heads up and be smart about decisions. One of my daughters just moved to Florida arriving Sunday morning, just in time for a hurricane...🙄. But she's been through it and knows what to do and with the path of the storm I think she's in a safer area where she is at. Now I'm looking forward to some still warm-ish days, and two more outdoor events before everything moves indoors. I love the outdoor events, but I'm glad they are done with, as dealing with tent setup, wind and other weather related issues an be challenging. So it sounds really nice to go indoors now. Thank you all for your support and encouragement and for the love of my jewelry designs. Until next time, remain in His peace no matter the storm, 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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