Well...nothing like bi-polar weather in Minnesota, right?!  Those of you who are here in this state know all too well.... 65° a couple days ago and back to 33° and snow!  Eventually 🌺Spring🌺 will stick around and hopefully really soon!

I got to spend a couple days in Elbow Lake with our friends from KR-Digital Gift & Frame Shop adding more jewelry to my display cabinets in the store, doing inventory and hanging out.  Sadly due to the weather coming in I had to leave a day early... so I'm back in the office and getting caught up up with some social media stuff and this newsletter.

Here's what's coming up soon.  
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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Date: Sunday, Apr. 12, 2026   
​Event:  Roadside Tavern's Spring Market (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  10am-2pm
​Where: Roadside Tavern, 531 Main Street
Town:  Roscoe, MN

Date: Sunday, Apr. 19, 2026  
Event:  Gathering In The Arts (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  11 am- 4 pm
​Where:  St. Francis Xavier Parish School Gym
Town:  Sartell, MN

The first weekend of May is still in the works.... but might not be a possibility.
Keep an eye on my Facebook page for last minute updates or changes!
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THE JEWELRY:
With a customer request for another style leather for a Lapis stone necklace and only one left on display with a thicker cord, it was time to check my stash!  I found two more of the nice rough cut Lapis stones, one is being sold to said customer and the other will be available.  Then there were more Citrine stones too!  With their translucent pretty pale yellow color they are perfect for the spring/summer months and so more of those are available for you.  

LASTLY:
I was at our church's ladies gathering last week on a day when the weather turned kind of messy and so I ended up being the only one there.  However the host was the person to share for our gathering and so I asked her to do so.
Her testimony and life story she shared centered around Psalm 121. The first two verses were something I too had memorized so many years ago and they often come to mind when I'm confronted with situations I need calmness about.
So, I want to share this Psalm with you from the NASB translation.  It is such a beautiful prayer too for each one of us and an assurance that God does care for us.

Psalm 121:1-8
1. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?
2.  My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth.
3. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.
4. Behold He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5.  The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6.  The sun will not smite you by day; Nor the moon by night.
7.  The Lord will protect you from all evil/He will keep your soul.
8. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.
AMEN.

See you at the shows!

Much love,
Sam

I just realized it's already middle of March!!  ....and I'm behind with the "March Notes" again.  
With the Spring hours we just returned to, I'm excited about the longer daylight hours now!  YAY!  It is so helpful when I'm creating and then take photos the same day and not have to wait until the next day because it gets dark too soon.  Plus with the longer daylight I have more creative time especially when matching colors in a design.

We are supposed to get a snow storm starting in a few hours, so we will see how that develops over Sunday and into Monday.  

NOTICE:  This Sunday's show  "Gathering In The Arts"  at St. Francis Xavier Parish School gym in Sartell has been CANCELLED and MOVED to Sunday, April 19 with the same location and times (11 am - 4 pm).

Also the Sartell Winter Farmers Market which normally would have been the first Saturday of the month in April, has been MOVED to Saturday, March 28 from 10-1.
The Sartell Community Center will be closed on April 4, so the market had to be moved up to a week earlier.

So here is the updated schedule for the next upcoming events:
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THE JEWELRY:
​I've been continually busy creating as I've found some cool new beads, plus some that I've had for a while which were just perfect for the ideas and designs I've got coming up.
So here are just a few examples - and of course many more are available at the next shows...

Last Thursday I was at the Bead Store in Taylors Falls again and found some very cool Cloisonné beads Jeff just brought back from his trip to Tucson!  Oh, my!  ALL.THE.BEADS!!!  Such beautiful specimens for sure, I could have spent more than I did and certainly blew my budget again.  
So off to creating more so I can offer you guys lots of new and exciting items to add to your "arm stack" and "neck mess"!!

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LASTLY:
​We should finally be out of the "winter" season and sudden snow storms blowing in! Hoping that this weekend's predicted storm will be the last for the cold season.  I'm ready for it to warm up and not have to worry about show cancellations like it happened for this coming Sunday (March 15).

Before you head out, always check my Facebook Page first, because that's the one thing I can access anywhere I am without it being too complicated to post something.  When it comes to here, this website, it's a bit more challenging, so I need a laptop.   Certain features on this website just aren't available via a phone and so I need my computer at home.  
But events are always announced on my FB page, sometimes on my Instagram as well (but I tend to forget about that one quite often).  

Until the next time - stay warm (if you're in the Northern parts of the US) and remember....SPRING is coming!

Blessings,
​Sam

We made it though January and we will make it through February too and then hopefully by March we will see warmer and warmer temps!  I'm SO ready!!

January has been a busy month starting with the Farmers Market beginning of the month and ending with the Cowgirl Luncheon in Jordan at the end.  In between I've had studio visitors for picking up custom orders, private shopping experiences and I've been busy creating new styles with the new beads I picked up over the New Years Holiday.    I've posted a couple bracelets of what is to come last month.

This time of year is usually slower for events so I totally appreciate those who have had orders or found things online they liked and bought.    February there will be two events with a fairly new-ish one, the Becker Business Expo in Becker this coming Saturday.  New-ish is because I've been there before about three years ago and schedule freed up for me to attend once again this year.  

So remember there won't be a Sartell Farmers Winter Market in February, because the Sartell Community Center is booked out, so we couldn't set up.  
Since we are talking about the Sartell Winter Farmers Market.... we will not be at the market the first Saturday in March due to a date conflict with Monticello Women of Today's show.
Then -  in April (which now I need to change once the market decides on a different date), - the Community Center will be closed for the Easter Holiday, so there won't be a Farmers Winter Market that first Saturday.  However they are talking about finding a different date and once that's announced I will change that on the website in "Events".

Also the Ham Amateur Radio Club's "Ham Fest" is coming up this month and it's not only for ham operators but also for people who love handcrafted items as there will be crafters, Warren's BBQ with his home made sauce and of course NotesNBling.

So.... here is the upcoming schedule:
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THE JEWELRY:
As I mentioned earlier, I have a new design created that's more in the neutral tones with beautiful beads in a variety of textures from bone, to mala, to gemstone, pearls, handmade links, cloisonné and more.  These are the beads I talked about last month when I went on a lil shopping trip to Taylors Falls with my daughter and scored some very cool items.  
Here is a sneak peek of what's been on the show tables mid January:

The necklaces feature a variety of textures of bone, mala, pearls, gemstone and Czech beads. The pendants I ordered from a fellow artist in Indiana.  She always has the coolest finds!  The feather pendant also features pearls cascading down on it's side.
Earrings have bone stars and genuine Sleeping Beauty Mine Turquoise.  The stack of bracelets fits with the necklaces as I've incorporated some of the beads from those into the bracelets.  Prices range from $35 for bracelets to $75 for some of the necklaces.  
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LASTLY:
Well so far the medical procedure I talked about last month is not going to happen this month - not yet anyways.  We will do monitoring on that end for now.  I had to find a new doctor as well concerning this.

So far I'm also caught up with custom orders - YAY!  I'm keeping people happy by getting it done.
Taxes on the other hand.....I haven't even started.  Thankfully NotesNBling paperwork is kept up and that's done, but all the other for hubby's work endeavors still needs to be put in the computer and I've been major procrastinating!  It's one of those things that are daunting to me.

End of January I attended a small women's retreat in Wisconsin with the theme "how to get through the winter blues".  It gave us all a different perspective on snow and what it represents in the Bible for renewal, forgiveness, cleansing, beauty and God's glory.  I'm working hard to not complain anymore about the snow.  The bitter cold on the other hand..... LOL....that's another story for another Women's Retreat Theme!

Otherwise I'm still going to the gym, which by the way I need to head out to after I hit "publish" on this post.

Again thank you to all of you who have purchased my designs and for loving them and supporting my small adventure.   Stay warm, focus on that Spring isn't too far off anymore and the days getting longer!  Oh...and no bugs this time of year!  LOL.

Until we see you at a show, may God bless you and keep you and watch over you.

Much love to all,

​Sam

Happy New Year!  
Here we are once again in another new year.  Let's go into it with confidence and our eyes on the Lord rather than the headlines.

In Minnesota it's been some interesting winter weather with snow and now even some ice events with slick roads - just nasty weather.  Who else is ready for Spring?

The months of January and February will be a lot more quiet events wise, which is fairly normal this time of year.  We have lost a couple shows in the month of February.  The Sartell Farmers Market will not take place due to the venue being booked out once again at the same time when we normally have our market at the Sartell Community Center.  Also the St. Francis Xavier Church's Art Fair is being moved into March.  I'm hoping the new date will not be a conflicting one with something we have already booked....

However in January there might be a possibility for a pop up for me at a boutique in Sauk Rapids, Sweet Bay Boutique.   Ashley the owner is thinking of two Saturdays, one being January 10th and the other Saturday, January 17th.  I'm thinking it might be more feasible for the latter date....  So watch for announcements here on the Event's page and of course on my Facebook page!

So here's what we have coming up.
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Upcoming Events:

Date: Saturday, Jan 10 or January 17, 2026  (still in planning stage!!)
Event:  Boutique Pop-Up  (Jewelry only)
Time:  10am-4pm
​Where: Sweet Bay Boutique, 20 N. Benton Drive
Town:  Sauk Rapids, MN

Date: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026  
Event:  Cowgirl Luncheon  (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  10am-2pm
​Where: Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course, 21775 Ridges Dr.
Town:  Jordan, MN

Next event will not be until February 28 for the Ham Fest our Amateur Ham Radio Club's event which will also host a few handmade vendors, including NotesNBling and also Warren's BBQ (hubby with his home made BBQ sauces)

The Jewelry:

My last show was on December 12, which was a very fun one being a Beaver Island Brewing Company's Holiday Market.  I connected with new clients as well as very cool handmade vendors!!

Since then I've been creating just a few things.... not a lot because I wanted to take some time for the holidays to just rest and spend some time with my daughter who came up for the New Year's holiday.  We went to the Bead Store in Taylors Falls where I got quite a few cool beads again that I can't wait to work with and make new things.   
​Here are a few new items:

A new line is releasing in neutrals with creames, golden hues, browns and some vintage beads sprinkled in.  Also a repurposed necklace which can be worn as a statement piece or Western with Millefiori beads, which are unique and I believe originated in Japan. The bracelet is fashioned along the lines of my quite popular vintage look sparkle bracelets, but these ones will be with Millefiori, Cloisonné butterfly, blue wood, stone beads and finished out with Picasso Czech.  So be looking for more of these items coming out this Spring at upcoming shows - or you can always message me for private shopping at the studio.
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Lastly:

As the new year begins, there will be new lines and designs coming from the design desk at NotesNBling Studio.  I've also scored some very colorful African seed beads I'll be making into stacking bracelets and choker necklaces, of course the cream bone beads with vintage beads in between and who knows what else will be in the making as the year progresses.

In February I will have to undergo a medical procedure I'm not looking forward to and I hope it won't turn into a drawn out event.  Ain't got no time for that and I need to be working out at the gym to stay in shape!  Prayers already for that are very much appreciated.

Ohhh and the taxes..... yeah, that'll take up some time, so in a way it's good I don't have many events upcoming because it's a process I struggle with and it takes me a long time to get it all done since hubby has many things he works in and it's all separate paperwork to get ready for the accountant.

Otherwise I'll be working on some custom orders I recently got in and excited to get started working on now that the holidays are over!  Plus I'd like to make at least one new design each day for the next upcoming months.

See you at the shows - or at the studio for studio pickup, custom orders or shopping!

​Sam

Well...... my banner is appropriate isn't it?!!  Winter has arrived in MN and so did the snow!  The photo was taken last year when our small tree was full of these lil red berries and with the snow/ice on them it was just super pretty.    Perfect photo to make a banner out of for the winter season!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We did too as we got to spend time with friends in two different places.  Lots of good food, fun and laughter.  We needed the break.

Then the day after we headed to Melrose, MN for a craft show followed by Saturday's Art & Craft Fair in Long Prairie.  
Sadly the Melrose event reported a 50% drop in attendance for this year and it was felt.  The weather this time was actually "warm" compared to last year (it was -2 degrees and wind that year)....  Just strange how things can go.  But they had food vendors cancel on them so maybe that had something to do with it.

Long Prairie was great as always and we are SO thankful for the support shoppers gave to small businesses!   It was great to see a couple of my customers who visit my booth each year.  Grateful for their support of my business and so sweet to catch up with their lives and  exchange hugs.

The event season is starting to wind down with only 3 more events to go.  I'm toying with the idea of a sip & shop, so I'll be sending out emails to see if there's enough interest for me to set things up at the studio's living area.  So be watchful for an announcement on this website, Facebook and/or email.
Below are the events scheduled so far:
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THE JEWELRY:
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It's been a really busy time of the year between making new items for the shows and getting custom orders out in time for people to pick them up either at the studio or at shows.
​Creatively I've focused a little more on other items also besides jewelry and created some seasonal items for those who aren't interested in jewelry.  Ornaments, Ornament hangers and Charcuterie Marker Holders were part of the creative process the last few weeks in addition to new jewelry pieces.

So here are some examples of ornaments I've created.
Throughout the year in my hunt for unique pieces I've found quite the treasures which some of them I repurposed into cool Christmas ornaments that are unique, one of a kind and very different.   The wings I've added patina paints in golden and silver hues and added green glass beads, with Premo Austrian Crystal Rondelles and vintage gold beads and a handmade ornament hanger.  The wreath is a repurposed napkin ring with Premo Austrian Crystal and Cloisonné Butterfly, the handmade hanger is included.  The flower is made out of golden sack cloth.  I added a freshwater pearl in the middle, a vintage gold bead and it comes with the handmade ornament hanger.  The last two pictures are my most fun find, vintage chandelier crystals transformed into Ornaments with copper leaves or hand formed swirls.  They all have a crystal bead with vintage copper bead caps and of course the handmade ornament hanger comes with them.  These were SO fun to make and oh do they sparkle on a tree!!!  Definitely eye catchers!

Creativity will continue the rest of the month with a break a lil before, during and after the holidays and start afresh in the New Year.  Can't wait to see what ideas will come to fruition in the coming weeks and months.
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LASTLY:

As 2025 comes to a close I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of my customers, friends and family for supporting my small business over this whole past year!  I'm so thankful to have had some amazingly great shows, tremendous support and encouragement with so many of you loving my designs and coming back for more, bringing your friends, family and co-workers to the shows and allowing me to gain new jewelry friends!  I couldn't do this business without you!
I'm grateful you've chosen NotesNBling for your gift giving, for employee rewards, for your events or just for yourself to enjoy and show off.  Many of you have mentioned the compliments you've gotten by folks seeing your pieces!  

Every one of you has a place in my heart and I'm always SO excited to see familiar faces and some who come to get a hug and some who've become friends.  You all are a blessing and a gift from God.  

Always remember, you are unique, you are gifted, you have been created with and for a purpose.  Some of you may still be searching and wondering why you are here and if God has plans for you.  Those plans are always for your welfare, your future and your hope.  Do we face hard times, yes, we do.  We live in a fallen world that is full of calamity and evil.  But we must learn to know that we are loved by God, loved by family or friends and after all Jesus gave His life on the cross for our sins, to forgive us as we repent and thus reconcile us back to God for our salvation and hope of eternal life with Him.  How glorious that day will be!!

Now I wish you all a very Blessed Christmas Season and God's grace for the New Year.  Hopefully I'll see some of you yet at the next three shows in December (and maybe I'll do the sip & shop if there's enough interest)..... otherwise I'll see you all at a show or more in 2026!!

May God deeply bless you, 
​Sam
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