Color and Flower Inspired Works!

In my last blog entry, I discussed how colors and flowers frequently inspired my jewelry and bead making. I invited feedback from my readers, and I'm thrilled to have some responses to share!  (Keep them coming!)

Shirley Jones Moore makes intriguing components from seed beads!   She mentioned in her comments from the last post that she was very inspired by color.

Sparkle Berry Cubes

Galaxy Bead

 

And sure enough, just look at these fabulous colors for Spring and  Summer!   You can find more of Shirley's components at:

Shirley Moore Designs (ACM)

There is lots more to see, 

including this red/white Peppermint Twister pair!

Great color and delightful photography!

From Natalie Pappas, creator of fabulously unique pottery beads, we have this lovely bead inspired by flowers!

Peach Rose Porcelain Bead

NKP Designs (Etsy)

Also check out Natalie's other store and blog on her website:

NKPDesigns.com

To see more of Natalie's flower-themed beads,
click:   Here!

And finally, I've included a couple of my own most recent flower-inspired pieces of jewelry.  

Fresh Flowers and Relic Necklace with artisan-made pottery beads and copper accents

Metapolies™ (Etsy)

<Includes artisan-made pottery beads by Natalie Pappas (NKP Designs), Marti Conrad (Marti's Buttons-n-Beads), and Jenny Gholson-Morris (EclecticPrairie). Focal flower bead is by Tracee Dock (Classic Bead).>

Daisy-in-heart necklace, pottery pendant, lampwork beads, hand-made, artisan beads, OOAK

Metapolies™ (Etsy)< Ceramic focal by Suzieqbeads.  Polka dot lampwork beads from Crazy Lady Glass.>


To see more of my flower items
just click:   here! 

Metapolies™ Store Update -- And then there was one...

Is it with sadness that I announce I have closed my Metapolies ™ store on the Artisan Component Marketplace.   I started with the project before the site opened last year and was honored to have been selected by Marla James to be even a small part of its development.   I think ACM  provides a terrific opportunity for artisans selling their handmade beads and components, and sincerely wish I could continue with it.  


...I encourage you to continue shopping there and if you haven't taken a look yet, please do!     (Shop ACM here.)  There are beautiful hand-made art beads from around the world!   I'll feature some of them in future blog posts.

I'm finding that in addition to other commitments, trying to keep up multiple stores at once is not currently feasible for me, so I'm going back to having just one online store, for a while at least.   Because I need to be able to sell both my components and jewelry, I decided to keep the Metapolies™ store on Etsy I opened last year.  



The store on Etsy is now much better stocked with jewelry, polymer clay beads, and metal components.  I have many more items (especially jewelry) ready to list and hope to get those added in the near future.

My thanks to you all who have visited my stores as I've added, subtracted, and experimented with store venues this past year.   It has been a great learning experience for me, and I hope you have benefited by it in some ways also.  
  
For now,  a sigh of relief for me, as I settle down to my remaining store.  I look for many good things to come from this!  I'm hopeful the additional time will allow me to keep the store full of interesting items for you, and I'll be able to refocus my attention on:

•  creating new designs, 
• blogging, and 
• marketing.

My sincere thanks and best wishes to all,

~Sharyl

P.S.  To recap:  

• "Sharyl's Jewelry" on Artfire = closed
• "Metapolies" on ACM = closed
• "Metapolies™" on ETSY = open
• "Metapolies.com" website = open

I'll be working on updating whatever links I've not yet changed in the next day or two.   
      
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Winner Announcement and Sale reminder!

And the winner of the drawing for a pair of Sterling Silver "Matchstick Dangles" is...

.... Betty Winslow from Betty's Bead Soup!   She gets to pick the color (or 2 colors) she would like her dangles painted, and I'll make this pair especially for her!

While you wait for this to happen, please visit Betty's Etsy store and Facebook page!  (I've just been admiring her copper coil earrings!  Nifty design!)

Thanks to all who participated and helped me spread the word!  I very much appreciate it.  Congrats again to Betty!

If you didn't win but would still like in on the goods, a reminder that I have a Super Spring Sale going in both of my stores!   

Now is a good time to grab beads, metal components, (even jewelry) at these greatly reduced prices!  Sale ends Monday!

Hope you enjoy the weekend!!   Oh happy Spring!

~Sharyl

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Super Spring Fling Sale at both Metapolies™ stores!

(For Give-Away offer, click here!)

Go to my Metapolies.com site for more details and links to the stores.  (You can also link from my Blog menu above, but you might miss out on Shipping Savings offer!)  

For Sterling Silver "Matchstick" Dangles Give-Away, click here!

If you are celebrating Easter this weekend, happy holiday to you!    And Happy Spring to us all!

~Sharyl

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Image Credits:

Photos and sale ad by Sharyl
Flower graphic from wpclipart.com
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March Sale at Metapolies™ store on ACM!

I've recently added a few new Spring items to my Metapolies™ store on ACM 

(Artisan Component Marketplace),

and thought I would celebrate with a quick March sale!

You'll find a spot of green 

and other pretty colors for Spring!  

This weekend only, get 20% off!

Be sure to use coupon code 

at the time of purchase:

MARCH20

I have been adding new items to my Etsy store too, mostly handmade metal items!   

Reminder: I'll combine shipping if you place an order from both stores on the same day! Place your orders, and I'll reimburse you through PayPal.

Many thanks!  

--Sharyl

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Sale ends tonight! Then what?!

As I recently announced, I'm closing my "Sharyl's Jewelry" Artfire store soon.

2/12/2015 at midnight in some time zone... :-)   .... the 35% off all items sale will end. Until then, please use code:  CLOSING35 if you make a purchase!

You may be wondering, "What happens next?"

• I'll be moving some items to my other two stores.

• Keeping some for event inventory

• And having one last quick sale on remaining items before closing the store for good.

Hope you'll stay tuned for updates here and on my Metapolies.com website.  You can easily link to my stores, get latest info on sales, leave me a comment, and more there!  

I greatly appreciate all of you who have shopped my Artfire store over the years.  You have my sincere thanks!    A reminder to all that my two Metapolies™ (Etsy and ACM)  will remain open. Hope you continue to visit me there!   

--Sharyl

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Images:

 Sale poster by Sharyl.
 Question graphic by wpclipart.com

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Good intentions, bad timing

It didn't take me long to blow my blogging trend, did it?   Well, my intentions were good, but I caught an ugly germ and that knocked me out good for a couple of weeks.   And now that I'm just getting back to normal, I'm going to be away for a little while again.  

When I last wrote, it was was early in January, and I was so happy that it was starting out so well!   I had several really lucky things happen in a row that I wanted to share with you.  It's a bit late now, but I'll share anyway!  

First, I had some of my polymer clay beads included in two Etsy treasuries, both curated by Chris P. from DunroaminFarmDesign:

Country Charm

'Round Here

The next big thing that happened to me was that I entered the ABS Dec. challenge.   Not only did the necklace sell to one of my "new good friends" overseas... 

..but I won a random drawing for a $50 gift certificate donated by Stone Designs by Sheila!

Lucky me!  I had been admiring Sheila's work and was so pleased to go for a spending spree in her shop!   I couldn't decide what to get though, and spent a couple of days trying to make up my mind!   In the end, I added just a little bit more to Sheila's extremely generous gift and got these awesome beads!

I photographed them together with her lovely cards, but to fully appreciate these beads you must see each one close-up!

My sincere thanks to Sheila and to ABS for making the start of my 2015 such a good one!

While I'm still on the topic of Art Bead Scene, I'm so excited about the January challenge!   I hope some of you will participate!

I had beads already made I hoped to put in my stores that I thought would be great for this challenge!   But alas, my good luck ran a bit short.   First the germ, and now I need to take some time away for a week or two.   

Here is my plan for the stores:

Metapolies on ACM will be closed with expected reopening Jan. 30.

The other 2 stores are open for sales, but shipping may not occur until Jan. 30. If I can ship and/or reopen sooner, I will.   

For links and the most current updates please visit Metapolies.com.

Best wishes to each of you for the coming weeks! I hope they are good ones for you!

~Sharyl

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photos by sharyl

Clipart by wpclipart.com

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Getting my (Business) Act together + Give-away!

Just as 2014 is about to come to a screeching halt, I've managed to meet one more of my goals for the year!   (No need to add comments such as "It's about time!" or "Cutting it mighty close there!"  ha!)  




I've long wanted to get my own business domain name again.  I had one back in 2011 and let it go with the website I had.   I started on Artfire then, and went with theirs.


The truth is, as I've expanded this year from one store to three, I've found it rather clumsy trying to direct people to "where I am."    3 stores, 2 store names, all those urls!

                                                                     Metapolies
                                                          (Etsy)
   
Sharyl's Jewelry                                                                   Metapolies
(Art Fire)                                                                                            (ACM)

Having 3 online stores may be an odd thing to do in the first place, but it's an experiment of sorts, and I'm determined to play it out a little bit longer.   

 You might recall that in May of 2014, I did some branding work and redid my business cards, (and banners, virtual and physical table ones).  Of course I did that just before deciding I would like to change my business name and open more venues!   Well, as I've been in flux, I've continued to use those cards, adding stickers on the back with the two new store urls.   (Yes, yes.  Tacky, I suppose.   But think of it as moving to a new location.  You "make do" until you get settled in, right?)



The other evening, I finally decided to get the domain name and create a one-page landing site (home page) for all my business needs.

  The url is:   metapolies.com.  

I do hope you'll check it out 

and give me feedback!

From the one-page website, you can (hopefully) easily get to all my stores and my social media (Blog, Facebook, and Pinterest).
I've tried to optimize it so it works well with computers,  tablets, and phones.    That's made the layout a bit tricky and not quite what I had hoped for.  I'd really like it to be attractive/inviting AND intuitive/functional.   I'm not sure if I've made the mark yet, but I'm going to begin using it.

Some things I can change, but others I'm limited by what this simple system can do.  

Please, please, please...
If you have ideas, suggestions, complaints, do let me know! I'm very eager for feedback so that this works well for YOU and anyone one else trying to find their way to my stores and social media contacts.  How can I make it better for YOU to use?

My main goal is, instead of directing people to 3 sites, I now will direct them to one only. ONE on my business card, ONE on Facebook announcements, ONE when I run into friends and family.  All the same ONE!  

Just:   Metapolies.com

Hopefully, it's all easy after that!   

As always, thanks for helping me out and sticking by me as I evolve!

~Sharyl

GIVE-AWAY!!!

We just hit 175 participants on this blog! 

Miss Val's Creations

was the 175th person.

Welcome, Val!

I've sent her a small sample packet of Metapolies™ goodies, but want to give the other 174 a chance too!    A look at Metapolies.com and a comment on my blog here by 12/26/14 will get your name in the drawing!   (Please make sure I can find you again on Facebook or  email, store, etc.)   I'll announce the winner on 12/27 and attempt to notify the winner.  If the winner hasn't claimed the prize by 12/30, I'll draw again.

I'm hoping to renew my blogging efforts in 2015 and if you are not a member, I hope you will join us!   

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Graphics:   wpclipart.com
Business card/photo:  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, 2014.

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Current Holiday Sales Calendar and Special Deals!

Current Calendar of 

Holiday Sales Events:

(Links to all my stores are on blog menu above!)

Ends Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014

Artisan Component Marketplace  (Metapolies)

Use code:   MERRY25

Discount:  25% off every item

(Only components sold in this store)

Ends Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014

Etsy  (Metapolies)

Use code:  SPECIAL25

Discount:  25% off every item

(Jewelry and components sold in this store)

Ends Monday, Dec. 22,  2014

Artfire  (Sharyl's Jewelry)

Use code:  HOLLY25

Discount:  25% off every item

(Jewelry, components, and holiday ornaments sold in this store)

Additional Savings Reminder:

Shop more than one of my stores on the same day and receive discounted shipping for combined orders!   Savings will be refunded through Pay Pal.

Gift Certificates:

I'm also happy to create gift certificates.  Please send me a personal message on Facebook or a note through my Etsy or Artfire store if interested.   

Happy Holidays!   

*****

Image Credits:

All photos and graphics by Sharyl except

Holly graphic:   wpclipart.com

*****

Happy Almost-Thanksgiving, Traditions, + Holiday Sales Update!

Happy Almost-Thanksgiving!  

For those who celebrate this holiday, many people have their own ideas about how to celebrate (time for eating, for family, shopping, resting, recreation).   

For me, above all else, I like to think of this holiday as a celebration of peace and goodwill among people with differences.  There is a lot of room for that in the world today as much as in history.

But given the more current traditions I mentioned earlier, I thought I'd share with you a few things about how I celebrate:   

1)  I enjoy Thanksgiving feasting too, but as a vegetarian, don't partake in the most traditional of foods, the turkey.   I'm often asked what we eat for Thanksgiving.   (In essence, everything but the turkey and gravy!   Kindly, our family cooks substitute vegetable for chicken broth in dishes.   It's pretty much starch-heaven with a few veggies thrown in!  Yummmm!)

"Eat More Potatoes!" 

2)  Family time-- I have a small family.   Sometimes we gather with my sister and  her small family.  We're still a small group, but it more than doubles the size!  


3) Shopping-- I hate getting out and fighting crowds  in large stores so much that I don't do it much any time of the year, much less during the month of Dec!   I do enjoy shopping small local stores and online though!   There will be plenty of sales this weekend. (I'll help out the economy as best I can!  ha!)  Watch for the upcoming ones at the Artisan Component Marketplace, as well as others of our friends who sell their handmade goods online in any number of venues!    

4)  Resting?  I doubt it!   In addition to my handmade jewelry business (and I'm hoping I'll have lots of visitors this year), I work for a company that provides online chat Reference service to libraries around the world 24/7, including holidays!  We'll be VERY BUSY since most libraries in the U.S. will be closed. 


5) Recreation?   My husband will likely watch sports.   If I'm  lucky, I can squeeze in the watching of a movie at home!   Hope so!    I'll also be online checking my stores and Facebook, to see if anyone has questions.   

6)  Sharing my handmade creations (aka, Selling!)--  Let the sales begin!   I didn't include this in my previous list, but slipping it in now!  I have 3 online stores plus items in a new local art gallery, Art by Avis & Others.   

My online stores are listed below with links.   You can  get 20% off at all of them by using the code  THANKS20.   Sale begins Wed. 11/26 and runs through Mon., 12/1. 

Metapolies™    (components only)
 Artisan Component Marketplace

Metapolies™     (jewelry & components)
 Etsy

Sharyl's Jewelry & Metapolies™
 Artfire               (jewelry & components)

Also, if you buy from more than one of my online stores in the same day, I'll combine the shipping and refund you the additional amount!

I'll put out a "shopping guide" in the next day or two to offer some suggestions from my stores and others!    So if you haven't signed up for my blog, please do! (Upper right on this page.)     Also watch my Facebook pages  (personal & business) for holiday sales events!  (Please click "get notifications" after liking so you receive updates!)

I hope you'll share how YOU spend Thanksgiving in the comments!    And whatever you do, hope your day and weekend is grand!

My sincere thanks to all of you!

~Sharyl
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Graphics-- 
Clip art from wpclipart.com
Logo by Sharyl 2014
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