Friday, December 20, 2013

Sales, Sales, Sales + Lots of Gratitude!


The SUPERPOLY SALE is over, 
and I want to thank you for your helpful comments, support, 
and purchases--
for this event, and throughout the 2013 year!  



I hope you'll keep reading my blog in 2014 as I continue to 
experiment with polymer, metals, and jewelry making!

I always am eager to hear YOUR thoughts too, so if you can, please take a moment on any of my blog posts to add a note, give a suggestion, let us know what you've tried that did or did not work, what you'd like to try but haven't, questions you have, etc.!   

Until our next chat, wishing each of you a  very
Happy Holiday Season!

~Sharyl


* * * * * * * *
P.S.  I've started my last sale of the year!  


SALE! 
Celebrating holidays late? 
Looking for something for New Years? 
Use code STILLTIME to get 25% OFF ALL items, 
including marked-down sales! 

GIFT CERTIFICATES: 

I can create those for you to purchase
 & email the code in time for the holidays! 
Please leave a message at Sharyl's Jewelry 
(Click "Contact Seller")
if you would like to purchase gift certificates 
of any denomination. 


Snowflake on Glass and Silver Earrings

Lampwork beads by BlueSeraphim*

*Please note: Sadly,
Blue Seraphim, one of my favorite stores
for lampwork beads is closing shop.
The good news is that everything is currently 50% off!

Very best wishes to Jennifer Jennings!
~Sharyl & Friends
* * * * * * *

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Last Day for SUPERPOLY Sale and Latest Earrings Using Poly Beads!

Today's the last day for my SUPERPOLY SALE  at Shary'ls Jewelry, and I thought I would show you a couple pairs of earrings I made recently using some of these beads.  "Wonky" though these beads may be, I'm finding they go wonderfully with other artisan beads!

Green, gold and "magic mood" bead earrings


Green dangle beads by ScorchedEarth (UK),
Gold metallic large rondelle beads in polymer clay by Sharyl, and  round glossy mood beads that change from green, blue, orange, brown
 depending on their temperature

 are all wrapped up in genuine copper wire, with copper ear wires.



Teal and gold dangle earrings


3/4 inch round ceramic dangles handmade by EclectricPrairie 
are embossed and colored matte teal and green. They have a lovely soft feel to them. 
Above them are ridged polymer clay beads I've made and layered with colors, 
topped with metallic gold. 
There are bits of sage green and barn red peaking through, adding a rustic look. 
Those are surrounded by teal rondelle manufactured sea glass I purchased from Lisa Lodge. 
Artisan made copper wire ear hooks and copper wire throughout.




Don't Delay! 
 Find something fun to challenge you,
at a price to fit your holiday budget--TODAY!






Use coupon code SUPERPOLY to get 40% OFF in these sections: 
These will appear at regular price with a "COUPON" flag in the bottom right corner of the item photo.  The discount will appear at checkout when you enter the coupon code.

Please Note:  Reduction on polymer ornaments in the HOLIDAY section have already been taken. The price you see is the 40% off sale price.  No code needed.  They will have a "SALE" flag in the bottom right corner of the item photo.  

Thanks for taking a look & Happy Holidays to all!   ~Sharyl

* * * * * * * * * * * * *


Monday, December 16, 2013

Playing with Polymer Clay!

Recent polymer pendant I made.

Between holidays, giveaways, and sales... challenges and blog hops... special events (mine and others)...,  it seems like FOREVER since I've just written a blog entry about jewelry-making, pure and simple.  Well, I have so many blog topics to catch up on, it may take me a while, but today, I thought I'd bring you up-to-date on what I've been doing with POLYMER CLAY.
   
Some of my metal bails, recently sent to the
 Emporium of Impossible Things in Canada.

Yes, I know, METALS were my thing!   And yes, they still are!  But I started experimenting with polymer, not really expecting to like it much.  (It's like PLASTIC, for heaven's sake, and that still bugs me!)  But I confess, I'm rather hooked!   

It all started when I read on Facebook about people making some wonderful looking beads and indicating they had used a tutorial by Ginger Davis Allman  of "The Blue Bottle Tree" on Etsy.

Tutorial Rustic Beads and Components from Polymer Clay Project Fimo- Boho Distressed


Tutorial Rustic Beads and Components from Polymer Clay Project Fimo- Boho Distressed

For some reason, I never thought I liked polymer clay beads until I saw these.  These looked like pottery to me.   They were "my style!"  And I loved them!   So I bought the tutorial and gave it a try.   
A bead from the first batch


Like everything I do though, I want to skip from beginner to expert mode in a flash and skip all the stuff that comes in-between. Instead, it seems like a long, hard road, with plenty of "flops." Isn't that just the way with learning any new skill or art though?  

IN THE BEGINNING: 
WONKY BEADS 

Sometimes, I can't decide if the pieces are really flops or just not my style.   I may like the colors, but not the shapes.  Or the shapes, but not the color.   






These are some of the first pendants I made.  I find them terribly "wonky" and I'll say so right out.  One brave soul suggested I might try making these a bit thinner, and that made a world of difference.  Thanks for that tip!  My thicknesses were not all all even either, and I'm learning to regulate the thickness of the clay a little better since I started, but still struggle.  

I used to have a terrible time trying to move the piece from my work surface to my baking surface, and finally read that the way around that was to put a bit of parchment paper down when preparing the bead, then transfer the bead, paper and all, to the baking pan.   (That was a "palm on forehead" moment!)

MOVING ALONG: 

WINTER HOLIDAY: 

My fun with polymer coincided nicely with the holidays!  I started making "sugar cookie" ornaments...




These all went into the WINTER HOLIDAY JEWELRY & ORNAMENTS section!
There are more!  Check them out!




I started a "Polymer Clay Beads" section for beads and pendants.   Some were holiday-themed.  Others not.

 




PRACTICE MAKES... BETTER?

Now that I'm hooked, I'm reading books and finding inspiration for polymer clay everywhere!  There are so many wonderful artists among us using this medium, and I just never noticed what they were using!   I'm in awe of them!

I'm trying a few slightly more advanced techniques, blending clay colors, making designs in the clay before baking, adding texture, expanding color options.   I'm starting to like what I see a bit more, but know I have so far to travel yet!






LATEST WORKS:
MIXING MY LOVES!

My most recent concept is to combine my metal work and polymer clay.  This purple was one of my first two pieces. 



Once I knew it would work, I tried more! 


You'll find these in a section called "Mixed Polymer and Metal"



AND NOW:   TIME FOR A SALE!

Well, as you can imagine,
several months and many pieces later, 
I've collected so many beads and ornaments,
my store is full to the brim!

What a good time to have... 

A SUPER POLYMER CLAY SALE!





Use coupon code SUPERPOLY to get 40% OFF in these sections:
These will appear at regular price with a "COUPON" flag in the bottom right corner of the item photo.  The discount will appear at checkout when you enter the coupon code.

Please Note:  Reduction on polymer ornaments in the "HOLIDAY" section have already been taken. The price you see is the 40% off sale price.  No code needed.  They will have a "SALE" flag in the bottom right corner of the item photo.  

Thanks for taking a look!    

* * * * * * * * * * 

Wonder where I'll head next?!  


--Do YOU work with polymer clay?   --Would you like to?   Leave us a comment!   --Link us to a photo of your work...or your store!   --If you have helpful suggestions or comments, please leave those too!  


 --If not, tell us what you ARE exploring these days!  We'd love to hear that also! 

 Thanks and Happy Holidays!
~Sharyl
 * * * * * * * * *

Friday, December 13, 2013

Thoughts on "Hope" & Upcoming Store Events!


Sharing a little bit of HOPE!



These are glass decorations on my holiday tree.
Being rather thin glass, they are fragile, but lovely,
and they bring me joy when I look at them.
No, I didn't make any of them, but I wish I had!

"Hope" has become, without planning,
my theme for 2013.

Hope--for better health, for strength and clarity,
for a renewed sense of who I am,
and hope for a future,
even if it looks different than the one I once imagined.

"Hope" is also my wish for you this holiday season!
I wonder what YOU hope for?!

(Please share if you feel inclined!)
~~~~~~



Upcoming Holiday Events at 
1. Free Shipping All This Weekend


Now through Sun., 12/15/13,
use code:  FREESHIP13  
on orders over US $15.00 
to get free shipping 
to locations in the U.S. and Canada! 


Lime, red, and gold polymer clay beads   PC13-001
2. Polymer Clay Sale Starts Monday!

Mon. 12/16/13-Thur. 12/19/13,
Super sale on all Polymer Clay
pieces in store!
Over 40 new items!
Watch for updates!


3.  Gift Mailing Details:

Gift items can be shipped directly 
to desired location.  
(No additional charge 
if all going to one location.  
Slight increase 
for more than one mailing address.)

 Packages gift wrapped and gift card 
with your note included 
at no additional charge! 
Please leave a note with directions
with your order.


 Thank you for shopping handmade at
this holiday season!
~~~~~~

Image Credits:

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

And the winner is...



And the Thanksgiving "Shop Handmade" 
event winner 
of the $20 gift certificate to


chosen by Random Number Generator, is...

**Carolyn from

(Carolyn, I already have your email address, 
so I'll be in touch with you about the gift certificate!)
Happy Shopping!

Thanks again to all for participating!
Hope your holidays were happy!

~Sharyl

***************

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Shop Handmade: Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sale + Giveaway!






BIG SALE of the Year! 


25% off EVERYTHING at


THANKSGIVING SALE now through Mon, Dec. 2! 

Use code at checkout: 

THANKS25



Check out my new ornaments 
in the Winter Holiday section! 

Lots of jewelry too!   




--Jewelry to wear for the holidays and
--jewelry for gift-giving!

--Metal components and 
--polymer clay beads 
for those who create jewelry for others!
All handmade, OOAK by Sharyl!

~Browsing is always free!~
Thanks for shopping handmade!


*************


GIVEAWAY!!!!


{Leave a message on my blog
if you would like to be entered to win
a $20 gift certificate to ...




and check back here or 
make sure I know how to reach you!
Winner announced Tuesday, Dec. 3 
& has 48 hours to respond!}


~Happy Holidays!~


***********



Please click link below Friday to visit 
the other stores participating in 




So much lovely jewelry and so many beautiful beads! 

So many great sales!

It's a great time to stock up!






Graphics:

"Shop Handmade"  by LoveMyArtJewelry.Blogspot.com
Photographs by SharylsJewelry.artfire.com
Shopping bag:

* * * * * * * *


Giving Thanks for the Unexpected

--->  News about Thanksgiving Holiday Sale at bottom!  

This year, I'm giving thanks for things new... for surprises.... for things that didn't turn out as planned.   I'm giving thanks for goals unmet, for they left room for other unexpected good things to happen!

I didn't plan to take this photo.  My finger snapped with the camera by my side.  I'm honestly not sure what is in the photo.  It doesn't look like anything in my workroom, but it was taken there.  When I realized I had snapped it, I planned to delete it.  



But right before I hit delete, my eyes saw the photo, and I was immediately attracted to colors, the movement, the light. And for some reason, I loved it, and realized it might be better than any of the carefully-planned photos I had taken today, more eye-catching, more inspiring, more emotionally moving.    

That pretty much sums up my year.   I tried to keep my business going, and have, but didn't write on my blog as much as I normally would... I haven't kept up with email or Facebook as well as I should have.   At the start of the year, I planned to expand my business by getting out to more events and focusing on marketing.  And while I made some small steps, I didn't do any of that in a big way.    However, I surprised myself by suddenly becoming interested in polymer clay.   Some of my goals for the year I've exceeded. Some have gone by the wayside as I focused on different and new projects.   

Sometimes I whine and everyone knows about my little problems.   Sometimes I have a big problem and keep quite about it.   Not because I'm noble or brave, but because I'm not and can't face talking about it much.   We all have our different ways.   



The simple truth is, part way through the year, one of my unexpected  "projects" became taking care of myself in a way I never had before.   When people would say, "You're as young as you feel," I found it terribly depressing.   I felt like I was in my late 90s (and I'm not talking about those spry 90-year-old types), when I was younger than that by many a year.   I walked stooped over, couldn't stand up straight, could barely get out of a chair or roll over in bed.  Walking down the hallway at home, much less grocery shopping, had become incredibly painful. I gave up going up and down stairs.  I stopped leaving the house much at all.   I needed a driver.  I only went to doctor appointments.    

It took some very good, very devoted doctors, months of physical therapy, water therapy, and now yoga too, but I am thankful to say, I can walk upright again!    I can have entire days, even several in a row, when I don't cry or yell out in pain.  I can drive myself places again and do light shopping.   Did I mention I can walk upright?!  :-)   I don't take that for granted at all.   I have little set backs all the time, but I'm full of joy just walking through the house, down a sidewalk, going to the pool to exercise, going to yoga class even though I can't do 1/4 of the moves!  I feel myself getting stronger, and for that, I'm completely, utterly surprised, thankful, and full of hope and joy!


Now I'm thankful for many other things, but I've "confessed" enough here for one day!  Please know I'm always grateful for you, my friends, for sharing this pursuit and joy of artful jewelry making with me and each other!

Wishing each of you a very healthy, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving holiday!  May you have much to be thankful for this year too!  And may every detour bring you closer to something better!

~Sharyl    

**************

(Believe it or not, it was one of these photographs below I was about to take when I shot the first one above!)

BIG SALE of the Year! 
25% off EVERYTHING
THANKSGIVING SALE now through Mon, Dec. 2! 
Use code at checkout: 
THANKS25




Check out my new ornaments 
in the Winter Holiday section! 
Lots of jewelry too!   



--Jewelry to wear for the holidays and
--jewelry for gift-giving!
--Metal components and 
--polymer clay beads 
for those who create jewelry for others!
All handmade, OOAK by Sharyl!

~Browsing is always free!~
Thanks for shopping handmade!

***********