What an exciting "beading month" I had in October! Dakota Stones had their annual great sale and then two weeks later in Hopkins the Twin Cities Bead Bazaar! Talk about lots and lots of inspiration and ideas. Just perfect for the dreary early dark winter months - and - I'm ready for Spring already after the time change. LOL. So now it means that I must get busy with new ideas (they are brewing in my head already) and carrying them out one at a time. I'm suuuuper excited about the upcoming shows in November and a few in December. This will a very busy season, but I can't wait to show all my new designs in the hopes you all will fall in love with them! UPCOMING SHOWS: Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 Event: Monticello Women of Today 37th Annual Fall Craft Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9 am - 3 pm Where: Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street Town: Monticello, MN Date: Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 Event: Girls Just Want To Have Fun Ladies Sip & Shop (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 5-9 pm Where: Paynesville Legion, 30369 County Road 32 Town: Paynesville, MN Date: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 Event: Howard Lake Annual Craft & Art Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9am-2pm Where: Middle School & Activity Center, 8700 County Road 6 SW Town: Howard Lake, MN Date: Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 Event: Holiday Kickoff Craft & Vendor Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 1 - 5 pm Where: Melrose City Center, 225 1st Street NE Town: Melrose, MN Date: Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 Event: Long Prairie Arts & Crafts Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9am-3pm Where: Grey Eagle Secondary School, 510 9th Street NE Town: Long Prairie, MN Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024 Event: Roadside Tavern Holiday Market (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10-2 Where: Roadside Tavern, 531 Main Street Town: Roscoe, MN As always all the shows are also listed in the "Events" page and all the new ones have been added. Sometimes an event coordinator had to change times or location due to unforeseen circumstances, but for the most part the rest of this year looks solid on the dates and times. But before heading out, always check my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NotesNBling for any changes that might pop up. Also I want to mention when it says (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) by a show date that means my husband Warren will also be set up at the same event with his homemade BBQ sauces and some of his creative pallet wood crafts. So make sure you come and "get your sauce!" THE JEWELRY: Here are some of the new designs I've been working on. These new bracelets have been created by an inspiration from a live beading show and since I got in some new Arizona Terracotta beads, new Czech and large hole Sweetwater Pearls these creations are so rich and yummy and sparkly and they are perfect for an "arm stack" of bracelets that will be noticed! In my stash I had a wooden hand cut horse I call "courage horse" and it became the focal of this necklace with a variety of beads, amongst them featuring also the Arizona Terracotta beads and Czech. The last bracelet are fun Czech beads I picked up at the Bead Bazaar in Hopkins from a new vendor from Georgia! They are all about Czech!! I paired those with matching stone beads of jasper, carnelian, river rock and African Turquoise beads. There is SO much more - but you have to come to a show to see them all, or keep watching on my Facebook page (NotesNBling) to see all the photos. LASTLY:
As you can see my show schedule is quite full and I'm super excited to see you all and make new friends. At all the shows over the summer I've met so many new ladies and it's been super fun to see all of the excitement and joy and the interest and love for my art and creations. I can't thank you enough for supporting my lil business to make people happy and beautiful and feeling great when they wear my designs. So a HUGE THANK YOU to you all for all the love!! ❤️❤️❤️ Now since November is Thanksgiving month at the end of the month (really late this year which also made some show dates kind of late but I'm glad they all worked out), I want to wish you all a very blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving, hopefully filled with good company, good food or time of rest and restoration. (The banner picture above is actually of one of our trees in the yard after the first snowfall we had in Minnesota. I thought those berries with the snow were just gorgeous, so I took a few photos - and I needed a new winter banner anyways...) Until the next show or monthly "Notes", may God bless you and keep you and protect you and be your ever present help in all situations in life and may your light shine as you extend your kindness and love to those who cross your path. Much love, Sam
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What a glorious fall so far up here in the North! Yesterday there were even Northern Lights to be admired! I was too lazy to go out and take photos as I have had the opportunity a few times already in the past couple months. They are pretty cool! The NNB Open House was a smashing success with the gorgeous weather present that day and everyone who came just hung out, had some snacks, soup or refreshments and were able to shop without the rush or crowds. Lots of giveaways were enjoyed and we had two winners one in the drawing for the Gift Certificate and one for the freshwater pearl necklace set! I think the Open House will be moved from now on to the last Saturday of September as the weather chances for sunshine and a bit more warmth are higher that time of year than waiting to the second week in October when I had it the past 4 years. So again a HUGE THANK YOU to all who came, to all who bought and brought a friend, for chatting and hanging out and just enjoying a lovely afternoon in the studio's back yard. Now on to upcoming Events! The Events page also has been updated with all the new dates and information. Always make sure if you do get a flyer from me at a show, that you check the Facebook page or here for updated info as sometimes event dates change (because I haven't had all the info yet) or even locations may change due to venue availability issues that can arise occasionally. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 Event: St. Augusta Legion Fall Craft Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10 am - 2 pm Where: St. Augusta Legion, 1894 247th St. Town: St. Augusta, MN Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 Event: Sartell Winter Farmers Market (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 10am-1pm Where: Sartell Community Center, 850 19th Street South Town: Sartell, MN Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 Event: Monticello Women of Today 37th Annual Fall Craft Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9 am - 3 pm Where: Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street Town: Monticello, MN More dates are listed on the "Events" page in the "hamburger menu" on top right. NOTESNBLING Jewelry: As always when I do a news update I'll show just a few pieces that I have recently made, but many more are on my Facebook page, as I list the items as they are created with photo and description. Top Row: Custom Order with genuine Turquoise & Czech Picasso on leather fringe. Handcrafted Copper Scroll hearts with Terra Cotta Toho beads. The scroll stick coined "the Messed Up One" with Picasso Czech. Arizona Terra Cotta beads!!!! so excited I got my order in and created this necklace. Then due to mismeasurement of a girls leather bracelet, I cut it in half and made earrings out of that leather which turned out super cute! Bottom Row: For the first time I've started making bracelets for tiny wrists!! Little girls earrings, girls beaded bracelet and small sized leather bracelets to fit young ones or someone with super small wrists. LASTLY:
Just wanted to share that I'm still in the "contemplating" mode as far as a shopping website and the particulars and learning curve that come along with it. As well as lives that I'd really like to do. However, lately life has been happening - lots has to do with a friend's health issues I'm trying to be a good supportive friend to. So much of my time has gone to that, some to creating and of course the Open House, upcoming shows and so on. I"m super excited about the fun items I got in as of late, especially the Clay & Terra Cotta beads I got in from Arizona. Also I was just at the Dakota Stones Warehouse Sale in the Twin Cities this past weekend and found some wonderful bead specimens I can't wait to work with. It was great catching up with Ricky and the crew at Dakota, finding out about other beading colleagues in Hurricane affected areas and that they are ok. The funniest thing as I was checking out beads at Dakota Stones and running strands through my hands to see the color variations of the beads, Ricky walks by and says: "Happy bead petting". 😂. Now THAT's funny!! LOL. Guess from now on I'm not bead shopping but bead petting. 😊😊😊. Anyhow, right now another hurricane is headed towards Florida, my daughter lives there and had to evacuate.... I'm praying for safety for all and that all those stuck on highways to get out are able to get going again as they are opening opposite Interstate Lanes for just that traffic going out so they can all get to a safe place. Praying also for folks in the places in the Carolinas and Georgia and other areas devastated by the weather... May God keep us in the palm of His hand as we trust Him in these scary weather times. Until the next time.... Blessings to all, Sam September is here and with it the Fall/Winter show season has begun! We still have just a few outdoor events (this coming weekend and two more in September) and after that it'll be all indoor again for the rest of the Fall and Winter craft/art shows! I'm excited about some of my newest creations for the jewelry with pearls/stone and leather combos in bracelets and some new simple lightweight necklaces and anklets. Also an upcoming Ladies event where I'll get to play my new guitar - which also means I need to sit down and legit practice!!! That's kinda still falling to the wayside 😳 So, without further due, here is the upcoming show schedule: UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 7 & 8, 2024 Event: Old Creamery Art & Craft Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: Sat: 8 am - 5 pm & Sun: 9 am - 4 pm Where: Old Creamery Restaurant, 405 Main Street East Town: Rice, MN Date: Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 Event: St. Cloud East End Festi-Fall (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: Noon - 5 pm Where: Handyman's Hardware (our location) & East End of St. Germain St. Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 Event: NotesNBling Annual Open House (Jewelry Only) Time: 10 am - 4 pm Where: NotesNBling Studios Backyard (Inclement weather-inside) RSVP email: [email protected] for address Town: Sauk Rapids, MN Note: If you've been to the studio before, you know where to be 😊. If you don't, I prefer if you would please email your RSVP to get the address/directions. (Since it's not a business complex location I prefer not to list our address publicly online). If you've been a customer you can also text me if you have my number ❤️. NOTESNBLING JEWELRY: Sadly I have to say that I had to pull out my jewelry from Sweet Bay Boutique as Ashley needed the space for more inventory she has coming in for her beautiful boutique. We may do occasional pop-ups with my jewelry there in the future. In Braham, MN however there is a flower/boutique shop interested in my jewelry and already spoke with the owner. Now it's just finding the right timing for us to talk about the particulars and possibly bringing jewelry there. So that's in the works. New creations drop: First in this series of photos we have one example of a few new glasses keepers (all different color combinations or solids) I created as my stock got super low. So there'll be some new fun ones for keeping your glasses handy. Next is a freshwater pearl and barrel knot leather drop necklace (this was last year's NNB Open House main giveaway), so for the first this season, this simple but elegant necklace is now available for purchase. Matching earrings on a leather loop and some freshwater/stone/leather knot link bracelets have also been created. These were SO fun and I hope you guys will love them, as I'd be eager to make more. Freshwater pearls are getting expensive so I'd like to order a few if I can catch them on sale! Come see these and SO MUCH MORE this weekend (Sat & Sun, Sept. 7 & 8 in Rice at the Creamery Craft Show. LASTLY:
This week there have been some things I've been contemplating on. One is that I need to get something going online sales wise, starting with updating the website and including a shopping cart for weekly drops of random jewelry pieces you guys can purchase during a certain time window. Doing some lives... Maybe show you the pieces in person, so you know what's dropping in the weekly drop. Also thinking about some jewelry making classes. Let me know if you'd be interested in something like that. This can be combined with a live to show you how to make something and I could make that project available as a kit for you to purchase. Lots of things on my mind that at the moment I have no idea how to implement and sadly I cannot afford to pay someone to help me with all the technical aspects, thus it's up to me to have a new learning curve and figure out all the particulars. All I need is TIME and chunks of uninterrupted hours.... Also with so much going on in our world today, the Lord gave me a scripture to focus on this week: Psalm 37:18-19. The Lord knows the days of the blameless and their inheritance will be forever. They will not be ashamed in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they will have abundance. As I've been helping a friend with rides to doctor appointments I'm reminded how important kindness is to one another, even if it means that our schedule gets cramped and some of the creations will have to wait for a later release. It's been a good thing to be there for one another and I'm blessed to know she has other friends who care for and love her too. In another matter - let's remember to be kind to people, even if their actions/reactions aren't what we expect, but often a word spoken in kindness will diffuse the otherwise intense situations. ❤️ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean to your own understanding. 😊 See you at the shows! Live blessed and thankful, Sam We are now halfway through August already and it seems the year sure has been flying by. So are the days of longer daytime hours ☀️ that will begin to dwindle more and more as time goes by. 🥲 😟😩 Kids are going back to school already too, where has the summer gone? Our summer has been busy with some craft shows, a festival, inventory at the store in Elbow Lake, helping a friend and for Warren some fishing and working. After a very long pause we actually have a music event coming up where we will have one hour set to play. So I'm cramming and practicing!! It's kinda scary when you try to play one of the songs you've written and you can't remember quite how it goes because it's been way too long.... However, it's coming together.... UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, August 17 Event: Revival By The River Time: Sat: 9am-3pm. OUR SET time slot: 10-11am Where: Wilson Park Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 7 & 8, 2024 Event: Old Creamery Art & Craft Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: Sat: 8 am - 5 pm & Sun: 9 am - 4 pm Where: Old Creamery Restaurant, 405 Main Street East Town: Rice, MN Date: Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 Event: St. Cloud East End Festi-Fall (NNB & Sauce/Crafts) Time: Noon - 5 pm Where: Handyman's Hardware (our location) & East End of St. Germain St. Town: St. Cloud, MN NOTESNBLING: It's been an absolute honor to create some simple pearl necklaces for gifts for ladies who attended a ladies retreat in Fosston, MN, where I also had the opportunity to lead worship for the group. It was such a fun and educational time. Here are some items I've been working on: My beach glass knotted leather necklaces have always been a popular item for the last couple years or so. This time I needed to re-stock some more neutral colors and chose white for the beach glass beads and a sandy grey brown leather representing the beach for the necklace part. The hoops were I placed the dangle drops and charms on are handcrafted and hammered. The bracelet is one of many new Ammonite bracelets you can use with essential oil drops on the lava beads. The bracelets are sturdy stretch cord. Lastly the keychains are just too cute and the cat charms are a special buy I have found. Once they are gone...they are gone and only those two shown above are left. LASTLY: So at the ladies retreat we learned biblical symbolisms and one of them was the pearl - hence the pearl necklaces I had created for everyone attending. Pearls symbolize beauty and salvation. Isaiah 61:10 - I delight greatly in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. The pearl also symbolizes value and prosperity: Matthew 13:45-46 - Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. MUSIC! This coming Saturday should be a very nice day, so come on out to Wilson Park in St. Cloud and see us if you don't have any plans. Below is the poster for the lineup that day. We are on fairly early from 10-11. Until next month... keep your eyes fixed steady upon the Lord to remain in peace in this crazy world.
In HIs grace, Sam Hellooooo Summer!! Warm greetings to all! How is everyone enjoying their summer so far? We just got done with Fireworks selling season and we were beat, glad we are done being in the TNT tent at Coborns Parking Lot in Sauk Rapids for 10+ hours per day for 2 weeks and we are thankful for our customers (many repeats from years past) and our friends for stopping by. It was a good year and the temperatures were absolutely perfect for being outdoors all day! A few windy days that weren't so much fun and one super super windy day that was challenging for product and nerves alike, however we survived that too. Now...on to more outdoorsy events, but this time with jewelry and hubby with his BBQ Sauce and Crafts.... UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024 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: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Event: Arts Fest (NNB only) Time: 9 am - 3 pm Where: Robinson Park Town: Pine City, MN Date: Friday & Saturday, August 2 & 3, 2024 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: My creativity was a little set back for the month of June and July due to getting ready for and selling Fireworks for two and a half weeks with all the preparations and then being there to sell each day. However, I always manage to make something here and there, so here are a few new things: I had so much fun making these! The earrings have Tierra Cast components. If you know anything of Tierra Cast, they are an American Made company that closed end of last year after being 35 years (I believe) in the business and it is a very sad loss for all makers. Due to "supply-chain" issues which sadly we seem to hear way too much about, they decided to shut their doors. So whenever I find Tierra Cast components, I try to snatch them up, as they are quality made in the USA and I prefer those products for my jewelry. All the bracelets are leather and components I get from a company in the Cities. They truly are so fun to wear! The magnetic closure thin leather ones make a great addition to any "arm stack". The Buckle bracelet features nice soft chunky leather cord for a cool look that even a guy can wear. LASTLY:
Last couple of months I had shared a bit what I have learned at a ladies retreat a friend hosted. It was quite insightful to ponder on the Seasons Of Life.... Here is the final installment: The Old Age Season Of Life. They shall bear fruit in old age, they shall be fresh and flourishing. Psalm 92:14. This is really great news to read, as this season is one that's not much talked or thought about, especially when we are young or in prime of life and we are doing our thing, working, creating, running a business or whatever life has for us to do. We are not taught in a Sunday Service how to prepare for old age and what we might expect, spiritually, physically and emotionally. It's one of those things that when you get there you kind of have to work through some acceptance of things and pondering the question "what now?", "what am I going to do with the rest of my life?". Our bodies don't function like they used to, so we face losses (teeth, hearing, eyesight, surgeries) and we grieve those losses. We also find that many of our own aging friends are passing on and leaving us behind. However, there are some advantages as we get older. We have learned from past mistakes and can help others to not make them, we have gained wisdom, we are more careful with our choices and we value things differently. We embrace family, friends, people in general a lot more than before. There are advantages such as discounts seniors get and the best of all is "Silver Sneakers", where I can go to the gym without the monthly charges!! 😊 Psalm 92:14 says that we can remain spiritually alive, vigorous and fruitful, even in old age! Fruitfulness glorifies God and accomplishes His will for our lives. It is our spiritual fruitfulness that demonstrates we are true disciples of Jesus Christ and it brings glory to God. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit so you will be My disciples. John 15:8. Even though we are aging, God is still at work in us, refashioning us into the image that we were made for, the image that's after the likeness of Jesus and as we are being formed into His image, His glory is being shown through us. But we all with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18. Although now we must live each day prepared to be with the Lord and since we don't know when that day is, we must live every day fulfilling our purpose, which is to glorify God in everything we do and say. Our heart attitude matters to God, if we garden, do crafts, go to or sell at craft shows, still are in the workforce or going on vacations more than before when we were working. We may now have more chances to spend time with our friends, a neighbor, family or young people we can positively influence through the life experiences we have gained. Therefore.... Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. WHATEVER YOU DO in word and deed, DO ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS through Him to God the Father. May you all have a wonderful July and summer fun. I will see a lot of you at the shows that are coming up! Looking forward to hugging some necks! With gratefulness and joy, 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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