Maxxing out on the Outer Banks!

Another great retailer is coming to the Outer Banks ... T.J.Maxx is scheduled to open on Thursday, April 22, 2010! As a permanent resident, I'm happy to see businesses and restaurants that will be open year-round. I understand we're a tourist area and tourism is basically seasonal; however, this is also a place to live for tens of thousands of people who need places to shop. The "season" could be expanded with open and inviting businesses instead of ones that put up "See you in March" signs.

The store will be located in the old Nags Head Food Lion location next to Staples (also open year-round, thank you!). Food Lion moved recently to their brand new location pretty much across the street on the ocean side. It's a little on the small side so I'll be interested to see if it can accommodate the summer traffic. There's a little strip of stores in front of the new Food Lion and right now, the Front Porch Cafe is open. Harry and I enjoy stopping there for a coffee when we're out on the bike and then afterwards, scoot out the back way to the beach road.

So, welcome T.J.Maxx and just to make you hopeful for future patronage ... just today, we went to K-Mart, NAPA Auto Parts and for dinner ... Taco Bell.

See you on the beach!

Jewels of the OBX earrings shown in Beadwork Magazine!

I'm so excited ... my earrings, "Pearl Elegance - Olive," are shown in the just released April/May 2010 edition of Beadwork Magazine! On page 6, I describe the inspiration and construction of the earrings in their feature, "W.O.R.D., (What Our Readers Did)." You may remember, I offered these earrings free with any jewelry purchase during the 2009 Christmas season. In anticipation, many days were spent making them and eventually, pieces in bronze and silver glass pearls.

The magazine contacted me back at the end of last year to say they would be shown in April which sounded like such a long way off, but here it is! Because the winter was so cold this year, it has kept us inside more than usual and I've spent it being productive with designing and working new jewelry pieces. The time has absolutely flown by and now spring is just a week away and we've already turned the clocks up for daylight saving time. Oh, and wait for it ... Easter is just two and a half weeks!

One day, I would like to submit a complete feature to the magazine which is a little more involved, providing a list of materials used and other required items. Beadwork says its fairly painless, which I'm sure is true, but that takes time and, well - there I go again! For now, I'll just enjoy Beadworks' very kind acknowledgement and keep on beading!

See you on the beach!

Julie

"Pearl Elegance" earrings can be seen at http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/

Jewels of the OBX Birthday Earrings updated

It's definite ... my favorite color in Swarovski crystals is Aquamarine. After starting the Jewels of the OBX Birthday Earrings collection, I have completed those for February and now, March. I thought the Amethyst color for February was beautiful but the soft and shimmery blue for March simply sparkles.

As with all my jewelry, I've tried to price them affordably and with the free gift boxing, they would make a great birthday gift. I also offer $20 Happy Birthday gift certificates for my customers to arrive for their birthday each year. If you would like to receive a gift certificate for yourself or for a friend, simply email me at jewelsoftheobx@embarqmail.com along with the birthday month and day (no need for the year !) and I can email it or snail mail, whatever you'd like.

You can see more on the latest Aquamarine earrings at: http://jewelsoftheobx.com/

See you on the beach!

Julie

A note to bloggers

If you're a blogger on Google's blogger.com, take care using those cute and tempting "Gadgets" that can be added onto your blog. They are outside applications that you are bringing into the security of what is your own authored blog and these applications can be hacked by anyone with no life of their own. While not directly hacking your blog, they can redirect your readers to any site they choose before your blog even had a chance to download. To be fair, the applications could also simply become unavailable; however, a non-threatening "not available" screen will alert readers on their internet explorer page. But, they could also be redirected to some viral site ... you know, one where suddenly pages upon pages of ads explode on your screen.
If you enjoy blogging, my advice is to keep it simple. Leave all the bells and whistles to those who like making a lot of noise and don't really have anything to say.

Starfish are NOT fish!

We already knew that, right? Then, what are they?

Well, apparently, they are "echinoderm," close cousins of sea urchins or sand dollars. They are almost entirely marine animals, only a few live in brackish water. Marine scientists are trying to rename them "sea stars," which I doubt will ever catch on and I refuse to call them echinoderm, probably because I can't pronouce that or even want to try. They'll always be starfish to me.

I am just fascinated by these little creatures, although I've only found a couple on the beach here on the Outer Banks, and one of those was just a sad little "arm." Maybe the surf is too rough for them to make it on shore in one piece. I enjoy making beaded starfish and have spent many happy hours working on them to make them look as close to the real thing as possible. In the middle of the project, each arm feels pliable and feels almost like you're holding a real starfish. But (probably like in the surf) the beaded starfish doesn't hold up well without tightening up the stitches at the end of the project. My favorite bead to use are the size 11/0 amber matte seed beads, the look and feel of them match up nicely to a live starfish.

Recently, I realized there were a bunch of them just sitting on my desk, among a growing collection of little components and stitching samples. If you make jewelry, you know exactly what I'm talking about and probably have your own collection. I gathered the little starfish together and decided to make a necklace of them, the result is "Starfish Haven." They are linked together and accented with light yellow glass pearls which continue throughout the necklace strand and the amethyst Swarovski crystals add an extra punch of sparkle.

I worked the teardrop-shaped beaded clasp and toggle bar to match the piece.

Please take a look when you get a chance at http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/ .

See you on the beach!

Julie

Beaded Starfish Earring winner!

Congrats to Adriel Hong who is the winner of the free beaded starfish earrings from Jewels of the OBX! They'll be mailed off to her in their very own beach bag ... I hope you enjoy them, Adriel! When you get a chance, check out Adriel's adorable handmade paper crafted items at www.etsy.com/shop/twohappycampers and her blog at http://www.twohappystampers.blogspot.com/ .

Thank you for everyone's interest in the earring drawing! Maybe I'll have another one in the near future?!

See you on the beach!

Julie

Jewels of the OBX can now be seen at Cloud Nine!

I'm so excited, Jewels of the OBX can now be seen at Cloud Nine, A Creative Emporium in Nags Head! Cloud Nine has been an Outer Banks feature for over 20 years! It is a truly amazing boutique that showcases local and regional artists in many different mediums. They also carry an extensive collection of beads and jewelry-making supplies and are open all year around. They're located in Pirate's Quay, Milepost 11 1/2 on the Bypass. Do you remember where Dowdys, OBX's last "amusement park," used to be? It's across the road from that. (A beautiful new school was built next to the old Dowdys location). Cloud Nine is actually closed this week as the owner, Ginny Flowers, a wonderful jeweler and instructor, is taking a well-deserved respite, and will reopen February 1, just in time for Valentine's Day.

The display at the store was put together by one of Ginny's assistants, Ashley. She also made the display along with that cute little sign you see. I gave her a pair of my "Compass to my Heart" earrings for all her hard work. She must have liked them, she gave me a great big hug! If you haven't seen the earrings yet, please check them out, along with a couple other new Valentine pieces, at the website http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com/ .

Don't forget to email me at jewelsoftheobx@embarmail.com to enter your name for the free starfish earrings drawing that will end January 31, 2010! (You'll see a pair of them in the picture of Cloud Nine's display case).

Just a few days left!

Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll talk to you later .... see you on the beach!

Julie