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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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!

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

Metapolies™

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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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.

You 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.  

SALE 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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25 = Silver!

A few days ago we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  

Much like our wedding, our anniversary was small and simple.   Dinner out with family, chocolate cheesecake, gifts, and flowers!

Because I especially cherish memories of our adventures together, I gave my husband several small gifts focusing on our family travels.

Of course, can you imagine such a day as this slipping by that didn't involve jewelry?  I've never been a diamond girl, but hinted that I would love some silver stacking rings for my "silver anniversary" and showed him my favorites.   And, sure enough, I was given this sweet package with 5 beautiful rings handmade by Gretchen Baneyx  of "Bespoken Jewelry." 

My thanks to my husband for 25 happy years and these lovely rings...

and to Gretchen for making them especially for me!

They are exactly what I had hoped for!

I've always loved mixed metals, 

so I slipped my gold wedding band in between the silver stack

and they are all lovely together!

(You'll just have to ignore the aging hands

and crooked fingers!)  ;-)

Best wishes to you all!

~Sharyl

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Memorial Day Sale, Mon-Tue.

I've been working much of the day, so I'm very late in posting this on my blog, but will do so quickly now.  Sale continues Tues, 5/26, so there is still time to save!

Wishing each of you a very safe and 

happy Memorial Day weekend.

Link to store here!

I've been adding new jewelry and components recently, 

not shown in this photo. 

I encourage you to take a look!

In the meantime...

Here is a previous Memorial Day entry you might enjoy. (Just beware that the sale info is from 2 years ago and that code won't work!)



Link to:   
Memories of Peonies 


 Best wishes to you and your loved ones,

~Sharyl

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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!