February Notes

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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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Date: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026  
Event:  Becker Business Expo & Craft Fair (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  10 am-2 pm
​Where:  Becker Field House, 12000 Hancock Street
Town:  Becker, MN

Date: Friday, Feb. 27, 2026  
Event:  Boutique Pop-Up (NNB Jewelry only)
Time:  10am-6pm
​Where:  Sweet Bay Boutique, 20 N. Benton Dr.
Town:  Sauk Rapids, MN
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Date: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026  
Event:  Ham Fest (Amateur Radio Club & Craft Vendors (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  9am-1pm
​Where:  National Guard Armory, 1710 Veterans Dr.
Town:  St. Cloud, MN

​Date: Saturday, Mar 7, 2026  
Event:  Monticello Women Spring Craft Show (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  9am-3pm
​Where: Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street
Town:  Monticello, MN*
*note: We will not be at the Sartell Farmers Market due to date conflict
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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