Showing posts with label plans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plans. Show all posts

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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Friday, February 6, 2015

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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Monday, December 22, 2014

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



calendar December 22Just 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!)  




house with treesI'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)
arrow black gloss Uturn down fat arrow black gloss Uturn up fat  arrow black gloss counter clockwise fat
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!  



arrow black gloss rightJust:   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! 


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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Thursday, August 7, 2014

"Metapolies" and More: "Sharyl's Jewelry" changes and grows!

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  (Oh, no!)

I've been contemplating where I am and where I would like to be and realize:

  • My business has changed quite a bit during the 3 years I've been operating.  (Brief timeline here.)
  • My style and skills have developed in ways I never dreamed, and I expect that to continue.
  • My desire to grow this business is increasing.
  • To support these hopes and dreams, and to offer the best service I can to my customers, some changes are needed.
  • I want my customers to be favorably impacted by any changes I make.

And so it begins!   

I've been developing plans that will be implemented in stages over the next 6 months.   The first stage is the opening of a new store, Metapolies™ on Etsy.    







METAls + POLymer clay = METAPOLIES™

Pronounced: meh-TOP-oh-leez


(My special thanks to Marla James for help brainstorming a name!)

I will run both stores, Sharyl's Jewelry (Artfire) and Metapolies (Etsy) simultaneously for a while, then will evaluate to see how that is going and make additional plans.  



For the time being at least, both of these stores will offer a combination of jewelry,  beads, and components.  


Please note that I've added links to both stores at the top of my blog. I've also updated Pinterest, and will add to Facebook pages next.   I want to be sure you can find me!    

You can expect the following:

  • Grand Opening Events!
  • All new jewelry and handmade beads added regularly to Metapolies™ on Etsy.
  • Upcoming sales events, especially at "Sharyl's Jewelry" on Artfire to gradually reduce some of the inventory in that store.   (Some new items may still be added there too.)
  • With two stores currently open, an even greater selection of handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry, art beads and metal components
  • Updates on future store expansion and developments here and on Facebook.
If you have questions or helpful suggestions, please let me know.     I'll do my best to make this go smoothly.   

My sincere thanks to you all!  I hope this opportunity will allow us to connect in new ways! 
~Sharyl

P.S.  I've been exploring website options, to use as a landing pad to link to the stores, blog, etc.  If anyone has particular suggestions or favorites, I'm eager to hear more!


P.P.S.  A few more details below:

  +        =      saved

FAQ #1:   Until further notice, I'll be happy to combine shipping to save you money.   You can either leave me a note at ArtFire before your purchase and I'll adjust shipping costs, or you can make your purchases at each store and I'll refund you the difference through PayPal.   This offer is good on purchases made at the same time.    

FAQ #2:  There are currently a few small variations in shipping charges and policies between stores.   I will align those as closely as possible as soon as I can.   Purchases made from each store will use the policies/charges for that store.  For combined orders,  any variations will work in your favor until updates are made.

Thank you and best wishes!

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Graphics:

Store banners by Sharyl.  2014

Other graphics from WPClipArt:  http://www.wpclipart.com

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

"Clean-up, Fix-up" Challenge now on Facebook too!


The "Clean-up, Fix-up Challenge Blog Hop" now has an "Event" page on Facebook!  For continuous conversation, idea sharing, questions, and photos, please visit us there!

Just  CLICK HERE!


Happy Cleaning!


--Sharyl



Thursday, November 28, 2013

Giving Thanks for the Unexpected

--->  News about Thanksgiving Holiday Sale at bottom!  

This year, I'm giving thanks for things new... for surprises.... for things that didn't turn out as planned.   I'm giving thanks for goals unmet, for they left room for other unexpected good things to happen!

I didn't plan to take this photo.  My finger snapped with the camera by my side.  I'm honestly not sure what is in the photo.  It doesn't look like anything in my workroom, but it was taken there.  When I realized I had snapped it, I planned to delete it.  



But right before I hit delete, my eyes saw the photo, and I was immediately attracted to colors, the movement, the light. And for some reason, I loved it, and realized it might be better than any of the carefully-planned photos I had taken today, more eye-catching, more inspiring, more emotionally moving.    

That pretty much sums up my year.   I tried to keep my business going, and have, but didn't write on my blog as much as I normally would... I haven't kept up with email or Facebook as well as I should have.   At the start of the year, I planned to expand my business by getting out to more events and focusing on marketing.  And while I made some small steps, I didn't do any of that in a big way.    However, I surprised myself by suddenly becoming interested in polymer clay.   Some of my goals for the year I've exceeded. Some have gone by the wayside as I focused on different and new projects.   

Sometimes I whine and everyone knows about my little problems.   Sometimes I have a big problem and keep quite about it.   Not because I'm noble or brave, but because I'm not and can't face talking about it much.   We all have our different ways.   



The simple truth is, part way through the year, one of my unexpected  "projects" became taking care of myself in a way I never had before.   When people would say, "You're as young as you feel," I found it terribly depressing.   I felt like I was in my late 90s (and I'm not talking about those spry 90-year-old types), when I was younger than that by many a year.   I walked stooped over, couldn't stand up straight, could barely get out of a chair or roll over in bed.  Walking down the hallway at home, much less grocery shopping, had become incredibly painful. I gave up going up and down stairs.  I stopped leaving the house much at all.   I needed a driver.  I only went to doctor appointments.    

It took some very good, very devoted doctors, months of physical therapy, water therapy, and now yoga too, but I am thankful to say, I can walk upright again!    I can have entire days, even several in a row, when I don't cry or yell out in pain.  I can drive myself places again and do light shopping.   Did I mention I can walk upright?!  :-)   I don't take that for granted at all.   I have little set backs all the time, but I'm full of joy just walking through the house, down a sidewalk, going to the pool to exercise, going to yoga class even though I can't do 1/4 of the moves!  I feel myself getting stronger, and for that, I'm completely, utterly surprised, thankful, and full of hope and joy!


Now I'm thankful for many other things, but I've "confessed" enough here for one day!  Please know I'm always grateful for you, my friends, for sharing this pursuit and joy of artful jewelry making with me and each other!

Wishing each of you a very healthy, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving holiday!  May you have much to be thankful for this year too!  And may every detour bring you closer to something better!

~Sharyl    

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(Believe it or not, it was one of these photographs below I was about to take when I shot the first one above!)

BIG SALE of the Year! 
25% off EVERYTHING
THANKSGIVING SALE now through Mon, Dec. 2! 
Use code at checkout: 
THANKS25




Check out my new ornaments 
in the Winter Holiday section! 
Lots of jewelry too!   



--Jewelry to wear for the holidays and
--jewelry for gift-giving!
--Metal components and 
--polymer clay beads 
for those who create jewelry for others!
All handmade, OOAK by Sharyl!

~Browsing is always free!~
Thanks for shopping handmade!

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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Business Card Thanks and Drawing Winner!

A few of my previous cards
....not great but now lost to the wind!


My thanks to all of you who contributed ideas (and offered support) to my "Business Card Help Request" post! There were very helpful comparisons of the leading companies, especially in terms of what might be most cost-effective for a short-term solution (which is what I'm seeking at this time), and some very creative "think-outside-the-box" offerings too! I'm grateful for all of them and am still in the pondering-stage. I'll let you know what I decide as soon as I figure out what I'm doing!


As a small token of my thanks for your help, I offered to make a small prize of beads and my metal components to a winner randomly drawn from those making suggestions. I'm not going to show them just yet, so the winner gets to see them first, but the winner is...


<blog>   <store>

P.S. Take a look; it appears Laren's been busy adding some beautiful new things to her store!

Thanks again to you all!   So happy to know I can count on you in times of need!   

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

And another


I also want to offer my thanks to all who visited my store recently.  I loaded a large amount of altered and handmade metal components over the last few days and have enjoyed your purchases!    There are still more left if you are wanting to take a peak at what is out for Spring at Sharyl's Jewelry!    And I still have a few more pieces to add, as well.    

Just to give you an idea
of some I added during my "marathon" listing session!
Some have come and gone,
some are in the store for sale
and a couple still to be listed.
Please feel free to ask if you are curious
 about any one and I'll give you an update.


My this week is flying by!   Hope it finishes nicely for all of you!   ~Sharyl


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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Business Card Help Request and a Give-Away!

Before my jewelry blog seems to turn into a weather site, I thought I had better post a new entry on the topic of JEWELRY.   The topic on my mind today though has more to do with the jewelry business.... which counts too, I think!     

It's really more of a question than an answer, so as you might guess, I'm hoping you will share some suggestions with me again!  

Like most of you, I like to have BUSINESS CARDS on hand to send out with orders, give to people I talk to about my business face-to-face, etc.  I've tried a variety of designs and ways of creating them.    

Typically I've had designs that matched my logo (2011) or banner (2012).  This year (2013), I just been experimenting with designs on my blog and cards so nothing quite matches  and they change every now and then, but I'm getting a feel for what I like.   Anyway, ....

MY BIG PLAN for later this year is to do some rebranding of my business and at that time, I would come up with a new logo, banners, and business cards that coordinate and I plan to have the cards professionally printed.   Until then, I'd rather not end up with hundreds of cards with a temporary design.   

Sounds easy, right?   Here are a couple of things complicating  my situation:

1) I've had several designs in the past but all on a computer that crashed.   

2) I've tried using Word templates, Avery templates, and others, but they are either so limited they won't do what I want, I can't figure out how to make them do what I want, or I can't find them to reuse a second time if I do like them. 

3) I used to have a nice, inexpensive, easy-to-use, flexible CD-ROM product I bought at an office store for $9.99 that worked like a dream.   I would love to have something similar  for $10-25 dollars, and was looking online last night, but none seem to work on the Windows 8 platform yet.  (Maybe you know, if they were made for Windows Vista or XP, will they run on Windows 8?   If not, have you heard of any that will work on Windows 8?)   

4) I looked through a lot of pages of supposedly "free templates," "free software," and "free downloads" online last night, but they were free to use the templates then you ordered your cards to be printed through a company.   Again, not what I want for now, but will later.

SO, I'm wondering .....

A)  Do you have any SUGGESTIONS in terms of getting cards made quick and easy and inexpensively?

and

B)  There are so many services I see for making cards professionally later when I am ready.   Which have you tried and liked or disliked?  And why?   (Some I've seen are:  Vistaprint.com, moo.com, zazzle.com, freelogoservices.com; although the last one may be more for designing business logos than cards.)   

Also, I think that Etsy sometimes offers special deals on business cards.   I'm not currently selling on Etsy, only Artfire.  I haven't heard they offer any special rates on cards.  If you know otherwise, would love to hear that too!  

Thanks to you all for your helpful input!   Seems like a little thing but I've spent hours on this lately and made very little progress.  



  I would love to tackle this problem in the next couple of days if at all possible, perhaps a week is more realistic.


As a small token of my thanks for your help, make a helpful suggestion and I'll put your name into a drawing to win a small give-away bag of destash beads and an assortment of my metal components!  

Please leave me a way to contact you. If you don't want your info posted, please say so or send a separate message with  your contact info. 

So many thanks!

~Sharyl

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Graphics:

snow symbol for weather chart:  http://www.wpclipart.com/computer/icons/status/weather_snow.jpg

question mark person:  http://www.wpclipart.com/blanks/callouts/eyeball_character/bubble_eyeball_character_question.jpg

CD-ROM:  http://www.wpclipart.com/computer/disks/cdrom_bold.jpg

computer with vacuum tubes:  http://www.wpclipart.com/computer/PCs/eniac_vacuum_tubes.jpg

pouch:  http://www.wpclipart.com/clothes/accessories/leather_pouch.jpg

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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Ramblings about Sundays, Cameras, Photography, and Weather in Kansas


studio waterstone
"i heart macro" --   appearing each Sunday on  "Studio Waterstone"

Sundays and Photography--
What I was doing and Hope to do Again:

I meant to post these funky-Kansas weather photos on  Sunday, but well, I mean to do a lot of things that end up getting done on Day 2 or 3 rather than Day 1.   Last year I participated each Sunday in "I Heart Macro."  (I was always honored they let me beginners like me participate. There are some dynamite photographers in that group!)  Well, one Sunday I missed, then the next Sunday too, then suddenly, I was out of the habit!

I got a new camera just before the holidays, and meant to jump back in.   I not only WANT TO, but I NEED TO jump back in and learn to better use this device that IS so important to our business!   (And besides that, the group is just plain fun!)   :-)     Often I'd take closeups of flowers or other items, which is very similar to taking macro shots of jewelry, but with the benefit of natural light.    Nature and my macro setting did all the hard work for me.

********

What I've recently learned:

I have been reading a bit, and experimenting with the camera, and even started using Photo Shop Elements to edit (in very basic ways) my photos.   Here is a quick lesson I learned (after I bought one) about the types of digital cameras:

(Yes, I know.   You wouldn't expect a lesson on cameras from me.   It's sort of like in high school when I got an "A+" in Driver's Ed, but was not a good driver.   Turns out the grade was determined by the written tests and the driving test was pass/fail.   I had to explain that A LOT in the beginning!   So I'm admittedly not a great photographer in practice yet, but I'm studying and learning, so here it goes....)

From what I've learned, there are basically 3 types of digital cameras:

1)  My old camera (a very basic compact digital camera) was getting pretty old.  I was still fairly happy with it except it constantly ran out of batteries, and then there was that "lens sticking" problem where it would freeze up and not only couldn't I focus, eventually I couldn't retract the lens at all!    It had a zoom lens of 4x, which was pretty nifty when we bought it 15 years ago!  ha!   But hey, it did the trick!  It had a macro setting, I could adjust the exposure, and it pretty much did the rest for me.   My biggest problem, then and now, involves lighting.

2) The new camera has 20x the zoom, but there are other hand-held digitals that will do even more.   That's not what I primarily use the camera for though, so no worries.   It's a nice camera with a lot of features I haven't learned to use yet.   I can use the manual setting (which I seldom do) or the Live setting (which I usually do), make a few adjustments in light and focus, and snap!    But I want to learn to use all the manual features too!    Put it on the wish-to-do list!    The lens is permanent.  It will do a lot of nifty things, but you cannot change the lens for a different specialty lens.   I admit I had no idea about that limitation or what this type of camera was called until I came across this article recently called, "Types of Digital Cameras."   And I now believe what I have falls into the category of  a "Bridge Digital Camera."

3) For those of you with DSLR cameras, all I can say is "You lucky things!"  They are known for taking the best photos, having changeable lens, and many settings you can adjust.    For some of us though, the barriers  are the expense and the learning curve.   (Still I can wish, maybe next time....)

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What I did, just for fun:

Now you often see the jewelry photos I take.  More "passable" now, but still needing a lot of improvement.   Last week though gave me an opportunity to use the camera in a way that was not typical for me.

The weather, 74 degrees F one day dropped more than 50 degrees and the next morning I awoke to a snow-covered lawn.   I grabbed my camera... Only thing was, it was ccc-oo-l-d out there!  So I stood in the warmth of my house and shot these, finally trying out that zoom rather than macro capability!

Take note, people, this is probably the only decent bird photo you'll ever see me take!

The wind was fierce!   You can see it blowing off the roof and whipping the  flag around.
No, the photo is not blurry, NATURE was blurry that day!
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What I plan to do:

These were fun, but truly, I do want to improve my macro photography. I currently have  3 things I plan to do:

1) Read my camera manual--yes, that has been suggested to me by a dear friend, and I'd say it's time I did it!

2)  I saw this ebook mentioned on a blog today (and please forgive me whoever it was!)  I bookmarked it but forget who it was endorsing it.  Anyway, her photos were fabulous!    So I think it's worth a try.   It's called "Snaptastic" from Kab's Creative Concepts and I'm linking to it so you can find out more too, if you like!

3) I have a light tent I bought last year, but know I'm  not using the proper lamps. I'm planning to research lamps, light placement, indoor vs. out door photography.   I tend to take a lot of photos in the middle of the night, so outdoors is not always an option for me.


So, you'll likely be hearing more from me about photography in the near future.  And hopefully, you'll see some difference in the quality of my photos.    And if you are willing, please continue to  share... about cameras, lighting, your preference for indoor or outdoor photography, or even wacky weather where you live!  :-)   I always love hearing from you!

~Sharyl

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P.S.  If anyone missed the last blog entry with the Give-Away announcements, please click and take a look!   The coupon ends soon!


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Friday, February 24, 2012

"Painting with Fire" and a Chance to Learn for Free!

"Oh, please pick me!!!"   :-)   That's what I'm thinking, and there are probably others of you with the same thought!


For all of us who love to win things... and all of us who would so like to learn a new skill... (count me double!)...


I'm sharing this link I first found on Lori Anderson's blog.


It's an opportunity to win a spot
 in Barbara Lewis' 
"Online Painting with Fire Workshop"  -- an enameling e-course!

As you may recall, one of my goals for this year is to explore the opportunities for making beads and/or jewelry components, decide on one (or more) and begin learning.   In that effort, I just recently checked out "Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry" from my library!    Now I see the very book on Barbara Lewis' page and that she is the author!     So what a great book and what a great opportunity!


Click here to enter!


Best wishes to us all!   Hope ONE of us wins!   


Sharyl
Sharyl's Jewelry


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Freeform peyote bracelet, beaded by Tanya Goodwin 


*If you missed the guest post with Tanya Goodwin on seed beading,... 
click here!  
*If YOU do seed beading, please add a comment to that post!

* * * * * * *

P.S.  New sale this week in 
"Sharyl's Jewelry" studio:
All bracelets are "On Sale Now!"   
Some up to 20% off!


All Bracelets are "On Sale Now!" 
at "Sharyl's Jewelry"

Graphics:

Monday, January 2, 2012

Goals for first quarter 2012


Short term/long term plans/goals...

     It's that time of year again.   


If I've learned anything about myself over time, it's that I don't enjoy long-term goals--anything approaching a 5-year plan gives me chills.  In my world at least, time has proven that life (and the world around me) changes too much over a 5-year period to predict that far ahead.  10-year plans are even worse, an exercise in futility, as far as I'm concerned.  For a large institution, 3-year goals are a necessity, but on an individual level are still troublesome.




Ever-changing computer technology began as I was starting my library career and has been another factor in my distaste for planning too much too far down the road.   Plan ahead, for heaven sake's, yes!   Please do!   But plan too far and you miss a lot of opportunities for things that are constantly changing in the meantime.   The following saying is attributed to John Lennon, 


"Life is what happens to you
 while you're busy making other plans." * 


Little did you know you would get my "philosophy of planning" along with my plan when we started!   


As always, I do have an Annual Plan.   But it floats in my head and is constantly updated. I'll mention that again later.


What works best for me is a Quarterly Plan.   So mine follows:



1. Complete my launch of Facebook.     I have Facebook up, but need to get links from blog, website, and Artfire site up and running, and promote FB site to reach at least "25 Likes."


2. Consider advantages/disadvantages of adding Twitter.  If adding Twitter as a marketing tool, do it this quarter or integrate it into Annual Plan.  


3.  Build a small collection of jewelry for kids, tweens, and teens.  (I've just begun to work on this one.)   Once I have a few items listed in collection on ArtFire, begin marketing.


4.  Figure out how to do variety of types of sales on ArtFire so I can have various promotions throughout the year.  For instance, I would like to be able to have sales on specific items and would like to make coupon codes work properly.


5. Become more active in the ArtFire community by joining an ArtFire Guild and begin building "curated collections."


6. Continue attempts to create an interactive atmosphere on blog.   


7. Dedicate more time to making jewelry.


These are not in priority order.  If it's not obvious to you already, this blog and your interaction are very important to me.   So the fact it appears near the end is only a sign that it's an ongoing project rather than a "do one-time and check-off-the list" type item.   For further evidence, note that making jewelry appears last in the list!   


Regarding my Annual Goals, I will say that they include broad categories such as enhancing my jewelry-making skills and building my business.  In order to reach those goals here are a couple of My Objectives:  


1. Learn to make at least one type of jewelry component of my own. This is a very high priority.  I would like to be able to make a greater part of my jewelry by my own hands.  It might be a type of bead or focal or it might be a component (such as earwires or a wider variety of earring and bracelet clasps) that can be used by myself and/or others who make jewelry--but something more that I bring to my jewelry and possibly offer for sale to others.


2. Another item I would like to achieve this year is to take at least one class in jewelry-making of some type.




So there it is.  Like the last time, I share my plans with you so you know what I'll be working on and can give you progress reports to keep  me accountable.  And you might find me asking for advice at times.   I always appreciate your willingness to share your ideas.


If you would like to let us know your upcoming plans and dreams, I encourage you to add your comments on this page!   


Many Thanks and My Best Wishes for the New Year!


Sharyl
Sharyl's Jewelry Studio on ArtFire
Sharyl's Jewelry Website
Sharyl's Jewelry on Facebook  


If you are on FaceBook
please consider visiting my "Sharyl's Jewelry" FB page 
and clicking the "Like" button 
next to my name at the top of that page!
Thank you!
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P.S.  I may have my links to Facebook set now.   Please try them out and let me know if you find anything not working correctly.   Still need lots more "likes" though in order to rename my page!  Thanks for helping!


  
Graphics:


Writer:  http://www.wpclipart.com/world_history/old_devices/.cache/quill_writing.png


Columbus explaining his plan:  http://www.wpclipart.com/American_History/discovery/Columbus/Columbus_explaining_his_plan_to_the_monks_of_Burgos.jpg

Arrows:  http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/arrows/angled_arrows/.cache/arrow_action_blue_SE.png

Slow but sure:  http://www.wpclipart.com/education/proverbs_illustrated/proverbs_3/slow_but_sure_wins_the_race.jpg



Citation:
*The Quotations Page, http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/571.html from Michael Moncur's (Cynical) Quotations

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