Thursday, December 24, 2015

Taking a Winter Break!

I hope you are enjoying the Winter holidays!

Photo of a snowflake cutout by my niece and nephew several years ago.
One of my favorite holiday images!

Dec. 28 will be the last day for orders at my Etsy store for 2015! All purchases will be mailed before the end of the year.

blank January   
The Metapolies™ store will be on Winter Break through part of January. It's time for me to relax, rethink, rejuvenate!


Polymer clay beads I made last year.
 It seems too long since I played with polymer!

I thank you for your patronage and moral support during 2015. I'm greatly appreciative!

Embossed copper piece from some years back.

Wishing each of you a very Happy New Year and hoping for some Peace on Earth for 2016!

~Sharyl

Polymer clay candy cane twists beads.


Photos by Sharyl.
Graphic images from wpclipart.com

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Thanksgiving Holiday the Easy Way!

Thanksgiving!



Time to feast!


Time for family and friends,
big hugs and long talks, 
hot chocolate, and
pumpkin pie with extra whipped cream!



Don't leave your warm, comfortable home
to get up early,
tromp through bad weather,
and fight crowds to start shopping!

Stay in your pajamas,
sleep in,
and when you are ready,
ONLY when YOU are ready,
consider this...


I even have a special incentive for YOU,
your family, and friends!


Link to
Metapolies™ on Etsy

Enjoy your holiday at home,
where shopping is easy,
and snacks remain handy!


Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving
to all who celebrate!

I'm thankful for each of you!

~~Sharyl

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Clip art from wpclipart.com
Photos and collages by Sharyl
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Saturday, October 24, 2015

Autumn brings falling leaves and "Great Big Fall Sale!"


Autumn has arrived in Kansas and seems to be passing quickly! The trees are dropping their beautiful leaves at a pretty fast pace. So it must be time for the 

GREAT BIG FALL SALE!


My designs are nearly always inspired first by color, so you'll find a lot of those lovely Fall colors in my Metapolies™ components and jewelry!  Just take a quick look...




Bright Red, Yellow, and Variegated Artisan Made Polymer Bead Set PC15-014E



Fall Shades Altered Brass Leaf Charm Pair  AM15-012E

Fall Shades Altered Brass Leaf Charm Pair AM15-012E


I hope you'll drop by my store and see more Fall-inspired items.  To further tempt you, there is a ... 

GREAT BIG FALL SALE 

...now through the end of October 2015!



GREAT BIG FALL SALE! 

*Get 15-20% off lowest marked price on all items!*
  • All purchases qualify for 15% off your total item price. Use code: FALLSALE15 
  • OR spend $50 or more at one time and qualify for 20% off your total item price. Use this code instead: FALLSALE20
(Shipping charges and sales tax for Kansans are not included.   See store for complete details!) 


Wishing you all a lovely Autumn!

~Sharyl

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All photos by Sharyl

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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

15 September 1700... 4:00 A.M.

This morning, around 12:30 a.m, I got to the end of the book I was reading, and found this:


  15 September 1700.  
Clocks struck 4:00 A.M.
  Le NĂ´tre had gone. 



How stunned I've felt today that I read that line on the 315th anniversary of his death.   I've felt a sting a bit like mourning a loss, or mourning the loss of some missed opportunity.

Alas, I've started at the end of the story (or at least the middle) and not the beginning.

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

First, let me warn you today's entry is not about jewelry at all.   (It appears to fall in the "...and Reflections" category of this blog, which allows me to write about jewelry and/or whatever else I'm thinking about on any given day!)

Next, let me ask, are you one of those people who prefer to watch a movie first or read a book (fiction or non-fiction)?     I can go either way, but must admit one thing, I often find myself inspired by a movie and wanting to learn more about the story, the characters, the history involved.   And so I delve into reading afterward.  

It has happened to me twice in the last couple of weeks and I'm glad for it.  

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Now, back to the very beginning:

A couple of weeks ago, my two guys went exploring for 12 days in Glacier Park with other family members.   I wasn't feeling up to long car rides and remained home.   Determined not to be completely miserable the entire time, I ordered a few new movies from Amazon, creating my own little "vacation treat."   

Two of the movies I ordered were:

1) Far from the Madding Crowd:

Far From the Madding Crowd

DVD from Amazon starring Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen, and Tom Strurridge (2015)
Original Sound track by Craig Armstrong (Artist)
Based on the novel by Thomas Hardy

I had planned to see this movie at the theater but it didn't pan out.  I was familiar with the soundtrack (lovely) and had purchased that in advance.   I was so awed by this movie, that I had to read the novel I'd had sitting on my bookshelf for several years.   I so thoroughly enjoyed this in every format!   (I must note that I've linked to Amazon but am not in anyway connected  with them or promoting them.   I would encourage  you to check your local libraries and bookstores too if you are interested in purchasing.)

2) A Little Chaos

A Little Chaos (DVD)

DVD from Amazon:  Starring Kate Winslet, Matthia Schoenaerts, Alan Rickman, and Stanley Tucci (2015)
Original soundtrack by:  Peter Gregson  
Books:
  • Andre Le Notre: Gardener to the Sun King, 2001, by Erik Orsenna and Moishe Black*   (This is the book I referred to at the top of the page.)
  • The Sun King's Garden: Louis XIV, Andre le Notre and the Creation of the Gardens of Versailles, 2006, by Ian Thompson    (This book has not arrived yet.)    (Update:  9/16, the book is here!   It looks very promising--focusing again not only on the gardens but on leNotre's relationship with the King.)   

Like "Far From the Madding Crowd," "A Little Chaos" was one of THE best movies I've seen in ages.  (I had never heard of  Matthias Schoenaerts before these movies arrived and didn't realize they starred this same actor until removing the DVDs from the box they were mailed in!  Must say, I'm a new fan!)   The music is completely mesmerizing--calming, exciting, intertwining with the theme of the story, just as any great soundtrack should, yet music I find I can listen to again and again.   (And that is very rare for me.)  The  phrase "It comes from the heavens" gets used  several times in this film, and fits the movie and the music perfectly!   It sounds like musical water...

While "Far from the Madding Crowd"  is a wonderful (and close) adaptation of Hardy's novel, "A Little Chaos" is fictional but contains many characters (not all) who once lived.   This brings me to my recent fascination  with  AndrĂ© Le NĂ´tre.   He was in the movie, as in real-life, the gardener to the French King Louis XIV, often called "The Sun King."   (In case you need a quick brush-up on European history, that's 2 kings before Louis XVI who was married to Marie Antoinette.  Both were taken from Versailles and later executed.   I'm  not giving away ANY of this story by reminding you of that!   ...And, if you've never seen this movie, give it a try!)

Le NĂ´tre combined geometry, art, engineering and gardening to create the architecturally stunning gardens and reflecting water ways at Versailles and other very notable residences in and around  Paris.    While working very closely with the King, he managed to maintain a mostly positive relationship with him and others at court and beyond (as if his other jobs weren't full time enough)!  

What an inspiring life!  What amazing accomplishments in so many ways.  What people to have walked among, conversed with, worked creatively with, and what a time to have lived!

While there is not much evidence for a full-scale biography, the bits that remain do tell an interesting story, and I'm happy to be in the middle of discovering it.  

I can't say it's over just yet!   

Thanks for joining me today!  Best wishes and many inspiring moments to you all!

~Sharyl

P.S.   Please share if you've seen Le Notre's work at Versailles or elsewhere!   ....Or let us know if you prefer to read a book or watch a movie adaptation first!   ...Let us know if you love gardening!  Heck,... whatever!    

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cover Images from Amazon.com website.

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

Metapolies™ Store Restructuring

I'm doing some restructuring of the Metapolies™ store on  Etsy in the next day or two, and I'll be refreshing the collections too!   

I'm planning to leave the store open while I make changes, so if you have questions or are looking for something and can't find it, please leave me a note on Etsy.   I'll be happy to help!

ballons lightI'll make an announcement when I've got everything in place and will encourage you will come take a look!   I hope you will like the changes and new, more focused collections!


As always, thanks for your support during this time!

~Sharyl

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images by wpclipart.com
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Super Jewelry Sale Ends Today!







      Take note!



My Super "Back-to-school" Jewelry Sale ends today, Wed., 8/19/15!  


Even new Summer/Fall 2015 designs are reduced! For other pieces, it's the last chance before I withdraw them from the store. Look for  "low as I can go" prices!

BACK2SCHOOL SUPER SALE:  Hawaiian Lei Beaded Necklace   BACK2SCHOOL SUPER SALE:  Asia-inspired Brass and Lampwork Glass Necklace BACK2SCHOOL SALE: Beachy Boho Necklace with polymer clay pendant, pottery beads, gemstones, glass, Sari silk ribbon, and more

BACK2SCHOOL SUPER SALE!  Asia-inspired Copper Lampwork and Ceramic Earrings  BACK2SCHOOL SALE: Turquoise blue long dangle earrings, artisan-made pottery beads, blue agate stones with copper and sterling silver  BACK2SCHOOL SALE!  Orange, red, yellow, and gold polymer clay earrings with brass and copper wire and beads
BACK2SCHOOL SALE!  Pale blue, cream, and burnt orange bracelet w/ pottery cuff bead, sari silk, and silver ox chain   BACK2SCHOOL SUPER SALE!   Brass Celtic Pendant with green and gold lampwork beads, Czech glass beads, brass chain  BACK2SCHOOL SALE!   Daisy-in-heart necklace, pottery pendant, lampwork beads, hand-made, artisan beads, OOAK

All these and more!  Prices as low as $20!  
 Treat yourself or treat a friend!


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Clip art from wpclipart.com
Photos and jewelry by Sharyl
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Saturday, August 15, 2015

Treat Yourself! Treat Another! -- Back-to-School Jewelry Super Sale!


Back-to-School Jewelry Super Sale 
in progress!

All JEWELRY items are on sale, 
most drastically reduced! 


Just because "Back-to-school" time has always been one of my very favorite times of the year, from grade-school through university, I couldn't help celebrating with all of you this Fall! 

  • Even new Summer/Fall 2015 designs are reduced! 
  • For other pieces, it's the last chance before I withdraw them from the store. 
  • These are my "low as I can go" prices!

Prices shown are the sale prices. You will typically find the original price in the description.  No coupon code needed this time!

Treat yourself or treat another to a special piece of one-of-a-kind artisan-made jewelry!


Enjoy!

~Sharyl

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Photos and jewelry by Sharyl
Graphics from wpclipart.com
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Monday, July 6, 2015

Winner Announced!

My thanks to all who joined in the July 4th Give-away!   The winner of the earrings is:   

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer


Congrats to Kathy!  

Hope each of you had a nice weekend!

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I'll also post a quick reminder that the sale at Metapolies™ continues until July 10th:

Get 20% OFF all items 
(jewelry, polymer clay beads, and 
metal components) 
with code:  
INDEPENDENCE

Thanks to all of you who have recently made purchases!   Newest items added:

Bottom left have sold. Others available as of this posting.
$12 a pair minus discount!  
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Saturday, July 4, 2015

July Holiday Earring Give-away!

I had a sunrise/sunset scene in mind as I created these brass components,...then as I designed the earrings, I drew my inspiration from a rainbow.
But today, I'm thinking all these colors could also be spectacular fireworks,..   (yes, very quiet ones)!  

Then, finally, I got inspired to celebrate the July 4th holiday by giving these away!   (In the spirit of World Peace, I will send these internationally too, so please join in  the fun if you like!) 



If you would like to signup for this Give-away,...


  •  Please leave me a note on the blog in the Comments section.  
  • If you are on Facebook, just let me know where to look.  
  • If not, please leave me an email address where I can contact you.  
  • You may enter 2 messages if you like and I'll keep private the one with your email.  I just need some way to contact the winner.

Star hand color blueYou can get a 2nd change to win if you share the news with others and tell me where you posted it!


The give-away will be open for your entries through end of day Sunday, 7/5/15.  A  winner will be announced Monday, and will have until Friday, 7/10/15 to reply.  

Star hand color redSALE REMINDER:

Get 20% off at my Metapolies™ store on Etsy through Fri, 7/10/15 by using coupon code:   INDEPENDENCE

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Photos by Sharyl
Other graphics from wpclipart.com

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Friday, July 3, 2015

Independence Holiday Sale!

--New July 4th banner for Etsy store!--






Use coupon code INDEPENDENCE now through July 10 to get 20% off all items purchased from my Metapolies™ store on Etsy!



Royal blue and white artisan lampwork and copper earrings


                       Sterling Silver Red-tipped "Matchstick" Dangles  HM15-019E Sterling Silver  Two-toned Blue-tipped "Matchstick" Dangles  HM15-022E
Sterling Silver Dangles from  "Beads: Handmade Metals" section.


Red and blue polymer clay, lampwork, and sari ribbon earrings

Red and blue polymer clay, lampwork, and sari ribbon earrings


You'll find these and more beads and jewelry
for sale this week!

Hoping to get new items added too!

* * * * *


U.S. friends, if you celebrate the July 4th holiday, what are your plans?   We're quite folks, so we'll probably throw a veggie burger on the grill!  :-)

Wherever you are, have a great weekend!  ~Sharyl

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*July 4 holiday banner by Sharyl, 7/3/15

*Burger graphic from wpclipart.com

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