New Favorite Spring Beads from NKPDesigns!

I've been relaxing and taking some time off this Spring, but that doesn't mean I don't still DREAM about BEADS!    While I'm spending more time "dreaming" than "doing" these days, I thought I might share some of the beads and jewelry I just find the "dreamiest" as I relax!    Today, I'm featuring some of my favorite Spring beads from Natalie Pappas of NKP Designs.   
 
In case you haven't had time for bead shopping lately, here are a few suggestions from me! 
  

Dancing Daisy Porcelain Bead

This one reminds me of a perfect apple, made all the more cheerful with Natalie's "dancing flowers" included!  What a perfect focal bead this would make for a whimsical necklace!   (From NKPDesigns on Etsy.)

Peachy Cream Textured Nugget Ceramic Bead

These remind me of the pottery whistles Natalie creates!  (I encourage you to take a look at those too!   They also make creative jewelry as well as being functional whistles!)    These beads are just as delightful but without the sound.  Love the creamy white and soft peachy accent holes!   What a lovely summery necklace they would make.   Gorgeous with any type of beads, but I keep picturing pearls!    (From NKPDesigns on Etsy.)

Natural Tones Sprig Round Stoneware Bead Set

It's morel mushroom hunting season in the midwest and when I first saw these beads I was reminded of the rare delicacy!    Just as morels are well-hidden by nature,  leaves cover these bead treasures as well,   Yum, morels, and very yummy beads!      (From NKPDesigns on Etsy.)

African Violet Porcelain Oval Sprig Bead

Who doesn't love African Violet's?  I find this oblong focal bead irresistible!   String it up with more purple or make a necklace with a garden full of colors!   (From NKPDesigns on Etsy.)

 

Dark Pinks Daisy Stoneware Tablets

Look at the colors in these beautiful tab beads!   Daisy images in lovely natural clay color with a dash of dark pink to make them just perfect for Spring.   (These are from Natalie's store:   nkpdesigns.com)

Mint Green Leaf Seed Square Stoneware Beads

A set of beads all matching in design and color but in several sizes with imprints that look like leaves or flower petals.  Perfect in minty green!   I dream of a necklace from these.  What do YOU dream of?      (These are from Natalie's store:   nkpdesigns.com)



If you ask me tomorrow, I would probably come up with an entirely new list; that's how much I enjoy Natalie's creations!  So be sure to check out all the current options at Natalie's two stores:

• NKP Designs on  Etsy
• NKPDesigns.com  

Enjoy the bead peak!  Hope to see you again soon!  ~Sharyl

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Image Credits:

All bead photos NKPDesigns

Graphics from wpclipart.com

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Taking a break -- Giving you one too!

There's lots going on. I can hardly decide where to begin!

#1:  Break & Sale!

First, I'll let you know that I'll be taking a bit of a break from the Etsy store soon. In anticipation of that, and because I have quite a few items expiring April 1st and shortly afterward, I'm having a SPECIAL SALE with one of the biggest discounts I've ever offered! 

   

 

A  few of the items about to expire:

• metal components oxidated & patinated
• copper, 
• brass, 
• and sterling silver; 
• polymer clay; 
• jewelry!

  

Coupon code is:   

SPECIAL30

I have a lot of NEW items to load when I return and I'd rather not relist all of these you've already seen.  

So please help yourself to  30% off all items while helping me clean out the current inventory!






#2: Graphics Updates:

Etsy will be reformatting our stores effective 4/5.  As part of that redo, I've created a new banner...

...and icon for my Metapolies™ store on Etsy! 

I'll begin using these graphics for branding else where too, so I hope you like them and continue to associate those colorful dots with my store! (While I've not figured out how to make all the graphic changes I'd like on blogger, I have changed the header font to match at least!)

And soon, I'll update the header on my Metapolies.com website too! (If you want to see the previous banner, it's still there for a little bit longer.)

(Please note:  While I'm happy with my new graphics, the Etsy store layout plans have been controversial to say the least.  If you have comments you would like shared, I hope you will offer them to Etsy or share in a note with me.) 

As always, I thank you for your support of all types!   Best wishes to you all!   ~Sharyl

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Graphics Credits:

• "30% off" and butterfly clip art by wpclipart.com
• All other graphics and photos by Sharyl    

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SPRING20 Sale!

Reminder! Last day! 

Get 20% off all items now through Monday! 

Use code: SPRING20 

Metapolies on Etsy store!

We're All Ears :: March Inspiration

I haven't been involved in a challenge in a really long time,...

 but the "We're All Ears :: March Inspiration" challenge on the "Earrings Everyday" blog caught my eye and I couldn't stop daydreaming about it!   Here are just a few of the inspirational photographs included by Erin!


 

The  magnificent colors and designs inspired 4 pairs of earrings, and I'll probably keep going!

I can't say I used just one of the photos, but if I did use one more than the others, it was probably this last one.

I'll show the first pair I designed today and add the others soon. 

I hand cut the pieces from 

genuine copper sheet metal, 

then embossed them with a design folder 

that seemed

just made for this purpose!

You can tell that in addition to the patterns,

I was really drawn to the 

bright orange, copper, yellow, 

dark blue, and turquoise colors.

I started with this look,

then started applying more and more 

layers of patina,

as I often do with my components....

until they looked like the ones 

in the other two photos.

I've added sterling silver earwires and jumprings,

accent beads in sterling silver, copper,

and dark blue encased glass.

Just for fun, 

I left one side as in photo 2 and the other side with more color layers.  

The hooks can be switched in a second,

if anyone prefers one look to the other!

To see more entries, please visit 

Earrings Everyday

on March 18th!  

My thanks to Erin and friends 

for the inspiration!

* * * * * *

P.S.  I can't resist giving a special "shout-out" to Alice, from "Alice Dreaming" blog, who used a pair of my Metapolies™ components in her design too!  Visit her blog to see what she created!   (And thank you, Alice!)

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Signs of the Times: Woolen Mills, Blarney Castle, and Metapolies!

I took this photo in Ireland, 

and wish I could add one more sign pointing to MY store!  

Metapolies™ SALE!  

Come celebrate!

 Get 17% OFF  

with code:  IRISH.   

Good on all items through 3/17/17.

 Come celebrate a bit of Ireland with us!

(From garden at Blarney Castle)

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All photos by Sharyl McMillian-Nelson

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The Colors of "Almost Spring"

1) Nature's Spring Colors:

It's getting to that "almost Spring" time of year!   I have tulips and day lilies pushing up through the ground and the trees in the back yard are beginning to bud!

It's not bright, but still a pretty color combination--
inspiration for jewelry of some type!

* * * * * 

2) The Green Days of March!

And now that it's March, I feel that annual urge to celebrate all things Celtic and green!

You'll find these these new components and more 

in my Metapolies™  store on Etsy!

* * * * * 

3) The new shades of Spring:

And I've just made a new batch of components in lovely new Spring patina colors from Ranger/Vintaj!  Loving the colors!   I'm also testing this new matte finish sealant to see how it measures up to what I currently use.  

(Has anyone else tried it?)   

I'll keep you posted on my findings!   

* * * * * 

What are YOU up to this Spring?!   Please share your news!  

~Sharyl

* * * * * 

Valentine's: Then and Now

Do you have a favorite 

Valentine's Day memory?

I suppose that, like many people, mine was the annual tradition of creating  the box to hold the Valentine's cards. 

• Sure it was fun preparing the cards for my classmates. 
•  Sure it was fun receiving the cards. 
•  It was fun getting special treats at school and at home. 

But the best part for me was decorating the shoe box with tissue paper and cutout hearts and doily hearts and sparkly glitter and whatever else could be attached to the special box with tape and glue that year!

I hope you have many special Valentine's memories!   And I want to wish you each a Happy Valentines Weekend 2016! 

If you feel like shopping, use code VDAY16 to get 16% off all items at Metapolies™!    If not, just snuggle up with one you love.  (...Of course, they are not mutually exclusive.  You have 24 hours to work in both activities!)    

Sharyl

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Clipart:  wpclipart.com
Photos by Sharyl
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Purple Hearts of a Polymer Kind

I've listed some new polymer clay pieces in my Metapolies™ store on Etsy today!

Purple hearts, purple pendants, bead sets in purple and turquoise...   I confess, they are some of the favorite polymer pieces I've made, and I hope you like them also!

I saved these for a bit, hoping to make some jewelry of my own from them, (in my  head I can see so many colorful possibilities)!  But I've decided to share them in the store and see what wonders others would create from them instead!  (That's much more fun for both of us!)  :-)

I've been adding a lot of new metal components... 



in shades of purple, 

  

turquoise,

red, bright pink,

 and more, so have a look around!  

You might come up with something 

you'd like coordinate! 

Whatever you do, have a bright, cheerful, happy creating day!

~Sharyl

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What good 2 weeks can do!

   I took a couple of weeks break from my Metapolies™ store in early January, pushed my chair away from my computer and took a step away from social media (much as I love the conversation and getting to see what everyone is designing).   I was feeling a bit burnt out and too tired to create anything.   

I was afraid I might just hibernate the time away.  (Well, I did spend the first week that way!)    Eventually though, I found the break did me good and my brain started to come awake!

Instead of continuously comparing myself with the amazing talent that surrounds me, it gave me time for a fresh start, time to dream of my own designs again!

SOLD!

I started making components with the enthusiasm and drive I had been missing.   Every shape and color was an inspiration to me!   

I found myself drawn to bright purples and reds,.. 

Pair upper left, SOLD!
Others listed or coming soon!   

To be listed soon!

turquoise and greens,...

Listed as a set.

 ... and pastel pinks and blues and lavender.  

To be listed soon!

From "ALL ABOUT AMETHYST" 6-piece component set

I got myself busy with Valentine's Day hearts and Celtic designs for March. (I'll be back with more to show next time!  Yes, I think I'll try to blog a bit more this year too!) 

So I'm off to a more enthusiastic start to 2016, and hope you are as well!   

I hope you'll drop by my store, website, and Facebook page, and that we can keep in better touch this year!  

All the best!

Sharyl 

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Component photos by Sharyl.
Clip art from wpclipart.com  
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