 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
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 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   Hope everyone had a good and safe 4th of July holiday, had some fun, got together with family and/or friends, enjoyed the outdoors and set off some fireworks. Hopefully this year we all are a lil more reflective of how much our freedom in this country means to us and gratefully think of those who have given great sacrifice to keep it that way. We spend the holiday in the fireworks tent, as hubby has started this adventure almost 10 years ago now. We have had our ups and downs with the fireworks tents, but are happy to only have one in our own town and ever so glad to see our repeat customers every year - and THEY are what makes this fun and worth while. (Otherwise, to be honest, I'd have been done with this years ago!!! LOL). Now on to the important stuff.... the schedule! UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Thursday, July 21 (NNB & Warren's BBQ Food) Event: Art In The Gardens Time: 8 am - 6 pm Where: Munsinger Gardens (we are in lower gardens, I'm across Porta Potties) Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Thursday, July 28 (Music) Event: Music for Country Manor Residents Time: 2-3 pm Where: Country Manor, 520 1st Street NE Town: Sartell, MN Date: Thursday, July 28 (Music) Event: Music for Country Village Residents Time: 3-4 pm Where: Country Manor, 520 1st Street NE Town: Sartell, MN Date: Friday & Saturday, August 5 & 6 (NNB & Sauce) Event: Flekke Fest Time: Friday: 10-4, Saturday: 9-4 Where: In front of KR-Digital Shop downtown Elbow Lake (Festival is throughout Main Street, Park and Courthouse) Town: Elbow Lake, MN I'll also throw it out there for those of you who love WARREN's BBQ...and want to plan a trip. We will be in Deerwood again this year... Date: Friday & Saturday, August 12 & 13. (BBQ Food) Event: Deerwood Summerfest Time: Friday 9-4, Saturday 9-4 Town: Deerwood, MN Warren will be serving his delicious Texas Style Beef Brisket BBQ, BBQ Chicken, white Cheese Curds, French Fries and Brats. Is your mouth watering yet? So if you need something to do, come see us! THE JEWELRY Here are a few more pictures of some fun "specimens" I've created. The flower necklace is from a repurposed bracelet with a new added Czech etched flower bead. The choker pendant is also a repurposed piece that I added patina to and some other fun touches, placed it on thick leather cord with hand wound wire & closure. The pink flower necklace also came from that same (very ugly) necklace piece. I separated the flowers, added seashell pearl (pink) patina, sparkles and other fun stuff. This one also on leather cord with handcrafted closure. The earrings are etched Czech Dragonfly beads with handcrafted/hammered "curves". Those are my Psalm 23:4 verse earrings. THE MUSIC: So thrilled to be playing music this month for the folks at the Country Manor Campus and Village, a back-to-back gig. Will be a lot of fun. I think this time hubby Warren will accompany me on the djembe! That'll be super cool. PERSONALLY:
Well, we ended up in an accident near our house on Tuesday. It wasn't our fault, but as we were going straight through a green light, a lady in the opposite lane made a u-turn and didn't see us. Sadly it caused a lot of damage to Warren's "trophy" truck which he won in January of 2020 catching the winning fish at the Brainerd Fishing Extravaganza. Thankfully there's chiropractic care to help us in the healing process of our very sore bodies. Please pray for the lady in the other car, she went to the hospital and we do not know of her welfare. Now we are waiting....waiting...waiting on the insurance company to tell us if we get to fix Warren's truck or if they will total it since the air bags deployed. Gah, what a scary event!! So please keep us in prayer. Warren needs a truck to pull his BBQ vending trailer to the Art in the Park event on Thursday at Munsinger Gardens...🤔 Also our water heater went out AND our washer too.... well, they say it comes in threes. Hopefully that'll be it for "issues" for a LONG time! Otherwise we are looking forward to seeing friends and customers at the upcoming events. Until next time.... May you remain blessed and in peace. Big hug to all, Sam  Happy Summer Days y'all! Last Sunday I finally cleaned the back deck and put the lawn furniture out and my flower pots.... they just need flowers now. One thing at a time. How are y'all coming along with your backyard/front yard cleanup or beautifying? Well, we have a few events coming up....in June (non BBQ or NotesNBling related), the TNT Fireworks tent at Coborns in Sauk Rapids! So come see us there. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: June 24 - July 5, 2022 Event: TNT Fireworks Tent @ Coborns Time: 10-8 every day. Sundays: 12-6 Where: Coborns Parkinglot Town: Sauk Rapids, MN Date: Saturday, July 16 (NNB only) Event: Art In The Park Time: 9-3 Where: Robinson Park, Downtown Pine City Town: Pine City, MN Date: Thursday, July 21 (NNB & Warren's BBQ Food) Event: Art In The Gardens Time: 8 am - 6 pm Where: Munsinger Gardens (we are in lower gardens, I'm across Porta Potties) Town: St. Cloud, MN Date: Thursday, July 28 (Music) Event: Music for Country Manor Residents Time: 2-3 pm Where: Country Manor, 520 1st Street NE Town: Sartell, MN As always, check the "Events" page on here, or my Facebook page Facebook.com/NotesNBling for new events not yet booked at time of this newsletter. THE JEWELRY: It's been a very busy time creating and making new designs, here are a few examples 😊 MUSIC WISE:
I'm so looking forward to the end of July to be playing at Country Manor again. Unplugged, no mic, no sound system, just me and the guitar.... and it's a fun time with the residents attending. God always moves and I'm grateful. I shared something on my Music Facebook page from our pastor of the church we attended in New Mexico all those years ago. He shared a cool perspective on his page I'd like to share here. We know we have an enemy of our soul who wants to fight us on his terms....but.... ***The Eagle does not fight the snake on the ground. It picks it up into the sky and changes the battle ground, and then it releases the snake into the sky. The snake has no stamina, no power and no balance in the air. It is useless, weak and vulnerable unlike on the ground where it is powerful wise and deadly. Take your fight into the spiritual realm by praying and when you are in the spiritual realm God takes over your battles. Don't fight the enemy in his comfort zone, change the battle grounds like the Eagle and let God take charge through your earnest prayer and worship! You'll be assured of clean victory.*** Lets be the eagle!!! See you at the Fireworks tent if you are local, if you are not, maybe at some of our events, on Facebook, or next month back on here. May God be the light on your path and the joy in your heart. Sam Spring has sprung! Finally! I'm excited for the warmer days, getting my flower pots out and plant some colors outside, clean the deck and put the patio furniture out and start grilling again. Plus going to some summer shows with my NotesNBling Jewelry. Although outdoors isn't the ideal setup for my displays, those shows are a lot of fun. So always hoping for decent weather and no storms for all of us vendors and those coming out to the shows. UPCOMING EVENTS: Date: Saturday, May 7, 2022 Event: Avon's Spring Fling Craft & Home Business Sale (NotesNBling/Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm Where: Along Avon Avenue in front of all the stores Town: Avon, MN Date: Saturday, May 21 Event: Bobbing Bobbers Brewery Vendor Market (NotesNBling only) Time: 10-5 Where: 900 Hwy 15 S Town: Hutchinson, MN Date: Saturday, May 28 Event: Crosslake Craft & Flea Market (NotesNBling/Sauce/Crafts) Time: 9-4 Where: County 3 & 103, 13716 County Road 103 Town: Crosslake, MN The craft/vendor show at the Eagles Club in St. Cloud for June 18, has been CANCELLED per the event coordinator. So be sure to check my Facebook Page: Facebook.com/NotesNBling for updates, or the "Events" page on my website. THE JEWELRY: Here are a few NEW designs I'm working on. The first two are a combo of genuine pearls, stones and a chunky leather knot with big lobster clasps. Then some new anklets with a double wrap leather and stones. Then a few of my "curves" earrings all packaged up with the Psalm 23:4 verse on a card you can keep and use as a bookmark. Those and much, much more will be at my upcoming shows and you'll never know what new things I'll have on my table as I play around with new designs and techniques. MUSIC WISE
I had a great time playing/singing at the Country Manor Campus on Thursday, April 21. I'm learning to play some hymns better and better and with their help of singing along, it made this so amazing and fun. It's just beautiful when you invite the Holy Spirit to minister and the Lord Jesus to touch hearts. Had many sweet conversations afterwards and I'm looking forward to my next time with the folks there. They really are so cool and they just love to sing along and what's even more cool is that they are learning MY original songs as well! Sadly music is now much less in my life than it used to be, thanks to the craziness of the last two years. Yet, the Lord has opened other doors for me to be creative and music will always be part of my life, just not to the scale and touring it used to be. I'm always excited to see how the Lord has been using me in different ways in people's lives and that's all that matters. We need Jesus and need Him desperately. As times grow more evil in this world, the only hope and salvation we have is through Christ. If you think about it....the thieves who were hung next to Christ on the crosses, they deserved the punishment. Christ however did not, yet He took OUR punishment on HIMSELF so that we'd be reconciled to the Father, our sins forgiven and have hope of eternal life with Him. ONE thief however said to Jesus: "Remember me when you come into your paradise" and Jesus replied: "This night you will be with me in paradise". This thief did not go to bible college, seminary school, talked to a priest or a pope, he didn't go to bible study, did group therapy, attended a church, sat under great Christian speakers and had in depth bible teachings, he didn't straighten out and make his life right, he didn't have time for that. He just simply recognized he was a sinner, he needed forgiveness - he needed Jesus. That simple - we make it sooooo complicated! If you don't know Jesus - just come - receive His forgiveness and ask Him to save your soul. So with that thought, I hope to see you all at a show somewhere, especially if you're local to Minnesota. If you're out of state, you never know, I might just get to visit, play music - or attend an art/craft show in your area. Much love and blessings, 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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