Happy New Year beach lovers!

Happy New Year to all of you beach lovers! With a brand new year, I decided it was time for a brand new look for Jewels of the OBX, something a little more streamline, updated and simple. If Starbucks can do it ... ! Anyway, I hope you like it.


Cold weather (and yes, some snow) has settled onto the Outer Banks and it's the perfect time to start thinking about warmer days ahead and, of course, pretty beachy jewelry. With that in mind, I tracked down those beautiful dyed natural shell beads purchased last fall at the Intergalactic Bead Show in Chesapeake and put them to good use. They've been so much fun to work with, I wish I had bought more! The copper findings waiting patiently in my red Kaboodles box (oh, come on, you know you kept yours from the 80's, too!) were also pulled out to use with the shells. The copper and shells really look good together.


Here are a few of my latest creations, I hope you'll like them. You'll find more details on each on the website, Jewels of the OBX.



"Party on the Beach"
Item #1411, Price: $49.99





"One Shell of a Party!"
Item #1111, Price: $35.00




"Purple Shine"
Item #123110, Price $35.00





"Drops of Blue"
Item #123010, Price: $25.00


Stay warm and see you on the beach!

Julie

You can bead on it!

A question I am frequently asked is where do I get my beads. Here on the Outer Banks, the choices are fairly limited although my favorite local bead store, Cloud Nine in Nags Head, will order anything I need if it's not in stock. I keep hoping Michael's will be the next chain store to propose a location here but until my dream comes true, I have to travel to Chesapeake for that.

My idea of Christmas and my birthday all put together is the Intergalactic Bead Show. They are the "premier purveyor of bead resources from around the world," and presents bead shows in the eastern United States. Harry and I went to their Bead Show this past weekend in Chesapeake, which was just down the street from Greenbrier Mall at the Khedive Shrine Temple on Woodlake Drive. It was really nice because it had easy access yet just out of the hustle and bustle of the mall traffic. Although he didn't really use them, Harry liked that there were comfy leather sofas available in the entrance hall. We figured if they ever installed a bar and wide screen TVs, the place would be packed!

Use can find a schedule of the Intergalactic Bead Shows at http://beadshows.com/welcome.action

for upcoming shows in your area.

But, my go-to supplier of all things beads and jewelry making has always been Fire Mountain Gems. I usually order at least 15 items to take advantage of their "all-assortive pricing." It's fun to see the amount due go down after selecting the 15th item. They have a beautiful 436 page catalog that's absolutely free with no purchase necessary. It can be ordered at http://www.firemountaingems.com/catreq.asp?lnksrc=3&navsrc=2

If your purchases total more than $100, you'll receive their comprehensive 1,220 page catalog, also completely free. Comprehensive is right, like getting the Sears catalog we used to look forward to each year. Oh, geez, please don't tell me I'm dating myself! Everyone remembers that, right?