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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Artfire Store now Closed & Metapolies stores update

ARTFIRE Store is now officially closed!   

Thanks to all for your purchases recently and over the last 4 years! I'm extremely grateful for your support!   My 2 Metapolies™ stores will remain open!

Possible shipping delay!

Items purchased from my Metapolies™ stores after 8am Central time 2/25/15 may experience a few days delay in shipping. I regret any inconvenience.

Keep up to date on all the latest at Metapolies.com

Latest Store Updates!

FINAL HOURS of Artfire Store!

"Sharyl's Jewelry" on  Artfire will be closing in just a few hours!   The coupon code expired a bit earlier than I planned.

Please use code: FINALHOURS  for 50% off all items until the store closes. 

My thanks to all of you!   I hope all my wonderful customers will visit me at my Metapolies™ stores!

Possible shipping delay!

Items purchased from my Metapolies™ stores after 8am Central time 2/25/15 may experience a few days delay in shipping. I regret any inconvenience.

Keep up to date on all the latest at Metapolies.com


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FINAL DAYS of Artfire Store -- 50% OFF all items!

    It seems like only yesterday I was contemplating opening an online store, what venue to use or whether to sell through the website I had going then.   Through the helpful comments many of you made and the support you offered, I finally made my decision and opened my first online store in the Fall of 2011.   

Well, a lot has changed since then.   My store was named "Sharyl's Jewelry" on Artfire and once I started selling components several years ago, the name seemed inadequate.   I was also wanting to experiment with online stores, so since Fall of 2014, I tried out several new venues too, and opened 2 other stores under the name "Metapolies™."  Those stores are on Etsy and ACM.  

While I did reasonably well on Artfire (current total = 451 items sold), I'm still hoping to do better, and to streamline what I do.   It was an interesting experiment having stores in several places, but I admit it was difficult to keep fresh items going all the time in 3 places plus a local art gallery.   

While I fidgeted, trying to make up my mind what to do, "real life" stepped into my life and demanded that I cut back a bit.

So, I'll be closing the Artfire store in a matter of days -- with a whopping 50% off all items remaining in that store!   

I may find I need to limit myself to one store, but for now, I'll keep both ACM and Etsy venues going.    

Just so it comes as no surprise, I'll temporarily close ACM for about a week starting on Feb. 24, and there will be an announcement on Etsy that items may be delayed a week in shipping.   After that, hoping things will smooth out a bit.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me through my venture.  I hope you'll continue to visit me here, on my Facebook page (remember to click both "like" and "get notifications!"), and at Metapolies.com where you can always find the latest news on stores, sales, and more!   

Hope you enjoy the sale!   Please spread the word if you feel so inclined!   I would love to sell as much as possible from what remains in that store.

My very best wishes to you all!

Sharyl

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Image Credits:

clip art:   wpclipart.com

sale poster and photographs by 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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CLOSE-OUT SALE at "Sharyl's Jewelry" store on Artfire!

My goodness, one thing and then another!   Here I am Feb 5, back to my blog again finally!   

...And I have an announcement to make. 

After months of store trials and great  deliberation, I've decided to close my "Sharyl's Jewelry" store on Artfire.  


So many stores, too little time!   I'm finding it very hard to have time to make items, list them, and keep each store fresh with new things.  So I'm cutting back and simplifying things!

For now, I'm very happy with the Metapolies™ store on Etsy  (where I sell both jewelry and components) and you can still visit me at the Metapolies™ store on ACM too (components only)!  

REMINDER:  Keep current on all Metapolies™ updates at Metapolies.com

The store on Artfire was my first venture into selling online. I opened the store near the end of 2011.   It's been a good run.   I'm grateful to all of you who shopped that store, made it successful, and encouraged me in so many ways.  I  hope you will continue to visit me at my other locations.   

The good news is that from now through Feb. 12, 2015, I'm offering a 35% off sale on everything in the Artfire store to begin to clear out that inventory.   If I say so myself, there are some really great bargains but I haven't the time to move all of these beads, components, and jewelry to another store.  I hope you'll take advantage of the savings, and I'd be very grateful if you would spread the word about this sale for me!   

Here are a few of the items you'll find there:

These are only 12 out of 100 items currently available for sale in the store!  

Lots of OOAK jewelry, lots of components (metal and polymer)!

Many thanks to each of you, and I hope you enjoy the sale!

~Sharyl
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Image Credits:

Clipart:  wpclipart.com
Jewelry photos by Sharyl

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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!   

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Image Credits:

All photos and graphics by Sharyl except

Holly graphic:   wpclipart.com

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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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ArtFire Update & Store SALE!

Hi, remember me?! I'm Sharyl,...
artisan and owner of Sharyl's Jewelry™  (ArtFire) and Metapolies™ stores on (Etsy and ACM)!     

I admit, I've been a bit negligent with blogging lately as I build a collection of my handmade goodies for you in each location!  I'm happy to say, all are pretty well-stocked at the moment, with even more seasonal items to come soon!

         

However, if any of you have visited my Artfire store (or any Artfire store) in the past week, you've probably noticed things appear to be amiss.  Please bear with us as Artfire undergoes some system upgrades.

    

While we wait for the dust to settle, I'm having a 

"Construction Sale!" 

Get 25% off

all items in my

  "Sharyl's Jewelry" on Artfire store through Oct. 13th with code: 

UPGRADE25 

Current changes:

• My familiar polka dot banner and avatar are currently missing, but the name of the shop is at the top.  
• You won't see the classic menu, but items are organized by sections with a representative photo. 
• The product photos are larger and the main focus of each page!

I hope you'll stop a moment, explore, and take advantage of the sale!

Special Reminder for Blog Readers:

If you purchase from more than one of my 3 stores in 1 day, I'll ship all items together and refund duplicate shipping charges though PayPal.

Links to all 3 stores appear at the stop of my blog in the horizontal tabs!  

As always, thank you for shopping handmade! ~Sharyl

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Clip art:  http://www.wpclipart.com/

Logos by Sharyl

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"Artisan Component Marketplace" opens doors today!

I have a surprise announcement for you today!  

This afternoon I just launched my third online store!   Like my new store on Etsy, this one is also called "Metapolies™" and is on a brand new online marketplace for artisan jewelry bead and component makers.  

Marla James (MarlasMud) is the founder of the new selling venue.  She and a small merry band of 5 other component makers (myself included) have been working to set up the site. 
  




It's called the "Artisan Component Marketplace" or "ACM" for short.  My Metapolies™ store is currently one of six but there are more stores being added soon!  


If you are interested in joining, there is detailed information in the "Learn about ACM" and
"Team Member Pricing" sections!   

I hope you'll pay a visit to the new ACM site and continue to find me in all my locations!   There are stores-full of unique items in every location!

Metapolies™ on ACM 

(components and beads only)

Metapolies™ on Etsy 

(components and jewelry)

SharylsJewelry on Artfire   

(components and jewelry)

Watch here and on Facebook for upcoming GRAND OPENING EVENTS!

If you haven't signed up to follow my blog 

or Facebook page,

now is a great time 

to make sure you do so you can keep current 

on special offers and promotions!!!

As always, thank you all for your support

and friendship!    ~Sharyl

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Photo Credits:

Butterflies:  wpclipart.com

Metapolies Banner:  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, 2014

ACM Banner:  Marla James, 2014

Fireworks photo:  Sharyl, Belfast, May 2014

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Shai's a winner in so many ways!

Congrats to Shaiha Williams, winner of the Sharyl's Jewelry shopping bag from the Back-to-School give-away drawing last weekend!  

...And this seems a great time to mention that Shaiha has just opened a new store!  I've been watching her design pieces for quite a while, and I'm so excited to now see her designs appearing in her own store!  

Spring Green Pearls
Shaiha Designs

There are some lovely, eye-catching, unique pieces of jewelry there!  Please pay her a visit at:

Shaiha Designs     http://shaihadesigns.storenvy.com/

Shaiha Ramblings     (a truly delightful blog!)  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Shaiha Designs on Facebook     https://www.facebook.com/ShaihaDesigns?ref=hl

Thanks and congrats again to Shai!  Our best wishes go with you!

~Sharyl

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Photo of necklace by Shaiha Williams.

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