JULY NOTES

With all the fireworks tent selling, the recovery after being outside for 16 days at 10 hours each day, was tougher this year on me than in the past.  Glad that part of our summer activities is done!  ....and I finally got to this news update.

Now on to jewelry art/craft shows at various outdoor events.  They are always a lot of fun for me as I get to connect with so many folks, my faithful "fans" and making new jewelry friends!   However, they can also be very challenging not only with the hard work of tent setup and all that goes with it, but also with the elements, with wind being the most dreaded, of course thunder storms, followed by heat and....this time SMOKE that just blew in today into Minnesota from Canada....  Yikes.  Just in time for the Art in the Gardens at Munsinger Gardens tomorrow. 😳
UPDATE!!! Art in the Gardens is CANCELLED due to wildfire smoke that has invaded the area!  It will unfortunately not be rescheduled.
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I do hope that whoever can brave the elements will come out and support their favorite artist, even if they might not be able to enjoy a longer time outside and take it all in.  It makes me sad for everyone as so many look forward to this event
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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026   - CANCELLED (due to wild fire smoke)
Event:  Art Fair In The Gardens (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  10am-4pm
​Where: Munsinger Gardens, 1301 Killian Blvd
Booth Location: Lower Gardens, across from Porta Potties 😊
Town:  St. Cloud MN

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026  
Event:  Pine City Art Fest (NNB only)
Time:  9am-3pm
​Where: Robinson Park, 200-298 5th Street SE
Town:  Pine City, MN

Date: Sunday July 26, 2026 
​Event:  Popple Creek Farmers Market
Time:  10am-3pm
​Where: Popple Creek Weddings & Events, 6468 75th Avenue NE
Town:  Sauk Rapids, MN

Date: Friday & Saturday, August 7 & 8, 2026  
Event:  Flekke Fest (NNB & Sauce/Crafts)
Time:  Friday: 9am-4pm, Saturday: 9am - 3pm 
​Where: (booth location) at KR-Digital, 15 Central Ave. S
Town:  Elbow Lake, MN

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THE JEWELRY:

I've been working up some fun anklets now that it's summer time and also quite a few chokers (different lengths) with turquoise agate drops and adjustable necklaces with freshwater pearls.  The following pictures are just a sneak peek into all what has been designed and created. 

The first photo is the lil agate drop choker on leather, the second picture shows a matching anklet (I have different sizes in those also), another anklet with carnelian and a starfish charm.  Next is a stretch anklet made with Picasso Czech Seed Beads and a Czech heart focal.  The last photo is an adjustable necklace with freshwater pearls on 1.5 mm leather cord.
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LASTLY:

Although I love this summer "warmth", the heat of the last almost couple of weeks has been a tad challenging for sure, especially at outdoor events.  Thankfully most of the fireworks selling season was actually pretty nice weather except for some storms/rain at a couple of days in June.  

However as soon as July 1 hit, the temperatures also rose with a very bad t-storm shutting us down on the afternoon of July 4.  Thankfully the hail we got was pea sized, compared to golfball sized just a few blocks away at a park where the fireworks festivities were taking place. 

We were drenched to the bones, taking in all the fireworks back into the container, grabbing our stuff and running to our cars after the tent was secured.  Good thing that hubby had re-enforced the legs by tying them into the anchors with pallet wood boards!  Thankfully he had the foresight to do so...and that tent held up in the nasty wind.  That storm just came almost out of nowhere, although it began raining but rain isn't the problem...the WIND always is, plus once a t-storm gets close, it is time to pack up and go home.

Adventures for sure!  Now I pray for the smoke to lift for tomorrow's Art in the Gardens, so that folks can come out - and us hard working vendors stay healthy and safe.   I want to say thank you in advance to those of you who still plan on coming out to support small business.  You are a trooper!!

See you at the shows,

​Sam