Where's Judi Now?

Well... Mom's doing her best to keep busy, and doing a darn good job of it.

She teaches her Jewelry Making classes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at our local Key Biscayne Community Center. If you're going to be in town, make sure to stop by! She'd love to see you! You can email her at judibeads@aol.com, and she'll let you know the hours of the classes when you're on the island.

In addition to the classes at the center, Judi's been doing private jewelry parties for birthdays - kids and adults, bar and bat mitzvahs, baby showers, you name it! She even had a Tent in this year's Key Biscayne Relay for Life - "Judi's Bead-a-Holics." She was surrounded by kids from the moment she arrived, and she raised a nice sum for the American Cancer Society.

Memories

In the last year before the Sonesta closed, all the old time regulars came back in droves. It was wonderful, and although it was a melancholy time, it was just great to get to see everyone again... and their children and grandchildren!! So many stories... So many lives she touched and was touched by... Please know this, you were 100% a part of Judi's family, and she'd give everything to have you all back again...

Mom said she felt like the old oak tree on the property, with everyone always checking to make sure she was still there. Being there for you was more important to her than I (or words) could ever express. Being a part of all of your lives... Closing the chapter on a 32 year long book isn't so easy... for any of us.

Please come here to exchange your hellos and tell your Sonesta/Judi the Jewelry Lady stories. If you've got pictures to share, Mom would love to see them & with your permission, we'd love to post them here on the blog! Please email pics of you and your kids making jewelry with Judi to judibeads@aol.com.

The pic above is about 25 years old. Judi's the one on the right, in the bikini! That's where it all began: under a chickee hut adjacent to the SeaGrape Bar and the Snackerrie, on the sand, on a couple of sheets held down with driftwood.

And the pic to the right here just came in! Thank you to Elaine, Sarah and Elaine!! I remember when this one was taken! Talk about some serious little designers... phew! Check out Sarah's Shark Tooth Necklace and all the bracelets on Char's arm. Gonna show mom at the end of the day. :) She's going to be so thrilled!

The comment section is open, and it's at the bottom of this post. ;)

Need a New Jewelry Making Kit?

It's not quite the same as sitting on the beach under a Chickee hut at the Sonesta, picking out your own beads, but although the hotel is just about gone, Judi's still doing her thing, and that includes Kits!

Children's Kits are available in 3 sizes: Small, Medium and Large.

Here are the details:

Small Kit: $25 - Includes enough material to make 5-7 pieces.
Medium Kit: $45 - Includes enough material to make 10-12 pieces.
Large Kit: $95 - Includes enough simple materials to start your own business. Great for highschool and college students who love designing and want to make some extra $ selling their creations.

Shipping charges will vary depending upon your location and the weight/size of the kit, and everything will be insured.

When ordering, please specify color and material preferences, and Judi will do her best to accommodate.

If you are interested in a child's kit or one with more grown up materials, please write Judi at JudiBeads@aol.com and please include your phone number in your email! Mom keeps as far away from computers as possible - I check her email.