We Don’t Own the Flip Flops Shop in Emerald Isle

I’m amazed at the amount of emails and comments I receive here at the Crystal Coast Blog from people who think I own the Flip Flops store in Emerald Isle. Then again, it’s really easy to understand. People “Google” the search term “Flip Flops in Emerald Isle” and my Crystal Coast Blog appears on page one (1) of the search results. Naturally, when people read my wife’s favorable comments posted here at our blog about Flip Flops, they assume that my wife Pam and I are the owners. Here’s the thing, we do not own the shop.

Flip Flops Needs Their Own Website

You see the store doesn’t have their own website. I’ve actually told Marcie (the REAL owner of Flip Flops) that she needs a website and that she is missing opportunities for sales over the web. I can only do so much. So the next time you drop in to that funky little beach shop attached to the convenient store on your way from Emerald Isle to Indian Beach, please tell Marcie that the guy at the Crystal Coast Blog said he is still getting emails from people saying they want to purchase another one of those cute little “fuzzy-bottomed coozies” or order more of those stickers you have on your counter.

We Love Our Crystal Coast Blog Visitors!

Don’t get me wrong, Pam and I love the fact that people are coming to our Crystal Coast Blog and we will continue to highlight our favorite things to do, awesome places to eat and unique shops to checkout here on the Crystal Coast. So if you want to leave a message for Marcie, the owner of Flip Flops, always feel free to leave a comment.

Until my next post,

Bobby Carroll

Sail Over to Beaufort

Held at the NC Maritime Museum, the 34th Annual Wooden Boat show offers a variety of small boats, boat rides and a wooden boat building competition, the 34th Annual Wooden Boat Show begins today, April 27th. This week long event is held in downtown Beaufort through May 3rd. This Crystal Coast town will be the “main harbor” for this weeks maritime activities.

Boat Show activities include:

• Civil War re-enactment
• Workshops
• Live Music
• Maritime skills demonstration
• A Boat building challenge
• National crafts fair
• Demonstrations
• Boat launchings
• Races
• Other educational programs

Don’t Miss the Boat!

If you’re looking for an informative, fun-filled week’s worth of events, make your way to Beaufort. For 30-plus years the North Carolina Maritime Museum’s Annual Wooden Boat Show has been a hit with boat owners and all who appreciate the art of wood boat construction. Addition is free so don’t miss this special week-long event. Be sure to checkout the events calendar here.

If You Go

Be sure to share with our readers your favorite part of the Show. We look forward to your comments.

Until my next post,

Bobby – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

This isn’t Your Typical Beach Souvenir Shop!

If you’re looking for a funky selection of slightly eccentric “island-themed” home and fashion accessories, you owe it to yourself to stop by this neat little boutique on your way to Indian Beach from Emerald Isle. With an adjacent convenience store and gas station, Flip Flops is owned by Ms. Marcie G. Creech (FYI-Marcie is NOT associated with the Crystal Coast Blog). Marice has one of the finest collections on the island for home accessories including painted “beach-themed” furniture. Utilizing local Carteret County artist, including Shirley Pittman and works by Gwen Jordan, their pieces will spice up any room in your Crystal Coast home. One other NC artist that offers some really interesting work is Deborah Cavenaugh from Wilmington.

Flip Flops Shop Information:
3305 Emerald Drive
Emerald Isle, NC 28594
Phone: 252-354-3446
Fax: 252-354-9444
Web site: N/A

Ready to Make Your Crystal Coast Beach Home Flip?

If you need some inspiration to “jazz-up” your bathrooms, be prepared to be “wowed” by what you see at Flip Flops. These photos don’t do them justice!

Have You Shopped at Flip Flops?

If so, tell us what you think of this cool little island oasis of interesting knick knacks.

Helping you shop smarter,

Pam

P.S. Don’t forget to sample the hand-dipped ice cream…yummy!

Every Season is Kite Flying Season

Here on the beaches of the Southern Outer Banks, it’s always the right season to come fly your kite. And if you’re in need of such a “flying machine”, there is no better place to purchase said “stringed aerial apparatus” than at Kites Unlimited (& BirdStuff, etc.) in Atlantic Beach. Located in the Atlantic Station Shopping Center just down from the Outer Banks Outfitters marine store, this is one shop that is a must on your list of Atlantic Beach shops to visit.

Kites Galore!

Store Owner Don and his fine staff offer hundreds of assorted single line and steerable kites in many shapes and sizes. From beginner flyers to kites for the serious expert and all skill levels in between, you’re sure to find the right kite to satisfy your fun factor.

Kites & More!

Don’t forget, Kites Unlimited offers a wide range of other fun items including windsocks, flags, unique games and puzzles. Offering all manner of bird feeders and other bird stuff, the opposite side of the store is jam packed with feeders, seed, birdbaths and birdhouses.

Kite Fly-In Hits The Beach!

One of the biggest events to hit the Crystal Coast in the fall is the annual Carolina Kite Festival. Held each year in late October at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel, this event attracts many participants with assorted kites and skill levels. Open to anyone who wishes to participate, this is one of the more popular events held on the Crystal Coast.

Have you purchased a kite from Kites Unlimited & BirdStuff, etc? Tell us about your experience.

Until my next post,

Bobby – Your Crystal Coast Blogger

These Buoys Will Make You Happy!

No doubt, you have seen those brightly painted chains of buoys strung on numerous decks and porches on the Crystal Coast. We stopped by the home of Sue Frost the other day and had to take a look at her incredible collection of colorful hand painted buoys. Sue and her husband are the creative geniuses behind Porch Buoys by Sue and their business is located across from the Crab Shack on Salter Path Road (Hiway 58) in Salter Path.

A Wide Assortment

Offering various lengths of buoys, these beautiful works of Crystal Coast art will brighten your deck, porch or any area of your home. For more information on Porch Buoys by Sue, give her a call at 252-247-6726 or email at sales@porchbuoys.com. Sue ask you allow 10 business days for delivery. Be sure to contact Sue with any questions or special orders.

Porch Buoys by Sue Pricing Guide

1. 3 Buoys and two spacers $36.00

2. 5 Buoys and four spacers $62.00

3. 7 Buoys and six spacers $83.00

You must add $12.OO for shipping and handling.

Support of Local Crystal Coast Artist

We offer this information without compensation and trust you will support the local artist in the Carteret County area.

Until my next post,

Bobby

North Carolina Coastal Fishing Pier Update

If you have read my recent post, you can tell I find it disturbing that parts of our coastal heritage are disappearing right in front of our eyes. One only has to look back at these special places that are no longer on the Crystal Coast for us to enjoy. No longer can you take your son or daughter to fish off Crystal Coast fishing piers like the Triple S Pier torn down in late March 2008 or the Iron Steamer Pier torn down in early 2005 to make room for ten single-family beach homes.

Some Good News on Crystal Coast Fishing Piers

Fortunately, the Bogue Inlet Pier at Emerald Isle was recently taken off the market and the Oceanana Pier is still in operation in Atlantic Beach. Having talked the staff at each pier the other day, it seems safe to say the Oceanana Pier and the Bogue Inlet Pier are free from the temptation of a big financial payday served up by Crystal Coast real estate developers. I happen to think these coastal piers are a part of our state’s fishing heritage. For many, it’s the only affordable way to fish as it is very expensive to charter a fishing boat or the option of boat ownership.

Do You Have Fond Memories of Crystal Coast Fishing Piers?

Tell us about your memorable trips to these fixtures of our coastal NC fishing heritage. Be the first to comment.

Until my next post,

Your Crystal Coast Blogger

Sights and Sounds of the Crystal Coast

A trip to the Crystal Coast beaches is a treasure in itself, soft sand between your toes, the sound of the waves against the shore and warm ocean breezes. With a little effort you can find treasures that often get overlooked.

The Atlantic is Teaming with Activity

Gazing into the sea, you can often see dolphin playing in the ocean or schools of fish in the crest of a breaking wave. How fascinating it is to watch seagulls dive head first into the ocean and come up with a fat fish for dinner. What fisherman wouldn’t love to have the precision in catching fish like the old seagull?

Shell-a-brations

I am a collector of shells. The Crystal Coast may not have the abundance of shells found in Sanibel Island, Florida but I have spent many hours bent over the sand from Emerald Isle to Fort Macon, picking through piles of shells. On one trip walking down the shore from Atlantic Beach to Fort Macon, I found a large conch shell lying on the beach.

Tiny Treasures

Don’t overlook what may appear as piles of broken shells along the shoreline. Take a chair and begin to look closely through the shells. I have found hundreds of tiny conchs, letter olive shells and eastern augers. Some of the shells are so tiny that several would fit on a dime. You would never see these perfectly formed shells if you were strolling down the beach. You have to stop and look.

Jewels of the Sea

Atlanta Beach is a great spot to find beach pebbles along the shore. These smooth stones come in all sizes. Their colors vary from pure white to black with various shades of brown and gray in-between. I have taken the stones and placed then along with votive candles in a dish for decoration.

What treasures have you found on the Crystal Coast beach?

I look forward to your comments,

Pam