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Miriam Grafer
- Female
- Shoreham, Long Island, New York
- United States
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- Why are you visiting?
- To make new friends
- What is your favorite type of jewelry to make?
- Necklaces/Pendants
- Tell us about yourself! What makes you interesting, unique, funny, talented, or...?
- I am a retired RN. I have been retired for 5 years. My husband and I have 7 children, 5 boys and 2 girls. We also have 8 grandchildren.
We have spent most of our lives on Long Island, New York. I was born in Germany and came here in 1953 when I was 4 1/2 years old. Our entire marriage we lived on Long Island. We bought a boat about 6 years ago and spent 2 1/2 years working on it. It is big enough to live on and we have been doing that for the last 2 1/2 years. We travel on the eastern seacoast, in the south in the winter and we go back home to New York in the summer. Last year we did what is called the "Great Loop Trip". Up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario and then to Canada - Trent Severn Waterway, Georgian Bay and North Channel - to Lake Michigan to Chicago, down the river system to the Gulf of Mexico and around Florida.
While on our boat I started making crocheted with wire jewelry and started a business run from the boat. I have been crocheting for about 30 years, but never with wire and beads. I found not only did I love it but I had so many necklaces that I needed to live to be 500 to wear them all, so now I sell them.
In my younger days I spent 7 years as a firefighter and rescue worker on Long Island. I raced cars (Enduro races) and scuba dive.
- My website is:
- http://adailydecision.blogspot.com/
- What is your favorite jewelry making style or medium?
- semi-precious beads, wirework, other
- What best describes your style?
- funky, fun, unique
- What are your favorite colors in making jewelry?
- purple, browns, pinks
- What are your favorite beads and stones for making jewelry?
- new jade, amethyst, carnelian, pink opal
Wire Crochet with beads and semi-precious stones - Unique Handcrafted Jewelry
Create your own glittery text at pYzam.com
I design, make and sell unique crocheted wire jewelry. Fun designs and elegant pieces as well. Most are with beads, including glass, pearl, mother of pearl, and semi - precious stones. Unique designs with a modern touch. This is Knot your grandmothers crochet. Please visit http://adailydecision.blogspot.com/ for more items.
I love the glitter of this necklace - "Catch the Sun" was just perfect to name it. Standing in the sun it catches all the shine and glitter the sun can give. It measures 12 inches from clasp to center. This brown and gold mixed colored necklace is made from seed beads and mother-of-pearl at the neck. The wire is non-tarnish gold colored.
I call this necklace "Nights in the Everglades" Having anchored out in the Everglades at night, in the pitch darkness with just a glitter of light from the stars shinning, this is what this necklace reminds me of . It hangs from clasp to center 10 inches with the center hearts at 10 1/2 inches. Non-tarnish silver colored wire is used for this hematite bead necklace at the neck . Where the wire is crocheted, black colored wire is used. Hematite hearts adorn the neck.
"Wampum" is my piece that is somewhat different. There is a 2 inch polished shell with a crochet border of silver colored non-tarnish wire. The necklace itself is 21 inches long and has 3 strands of silver non-tarnish wire and amethyst chips.
"Lovely Lady" is a sentimental piece for me. It reminds me of a very dear friend that I met on our "Great Loop" trip. I don't know why it reminds me of her, but it is elegant without being pretentious. It has a simple feeling to it but a deepness of color which reminds me of her spirit and kindness. The name of her boat was "Lovely Lady", and she was certainly that at all times. this is made of amber colored wire both crocheted and the neckwire. The beads are carnelian beads. The clasp of this piece is on the side not on the back The length including the neck wire is 20 inches.
A close up of the hand crocheted wire, and cocoa brown glass beads. 
"At the beach -Suntan brown" is what I call this piece. In our travels on our boat we have visited many beaches and this is the color of skin that I find most attractive. The length of this necklace is 10 -11 inches from clasp to center front. Non-tarnish silver colored wire is used for this glass brown bead necklace at the neck . Where the wire is crocheted, brown colored wire is used.
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Jewelry Supply Sales
This time of year, you often see a lot of sales going on all over the place. Some of this is due to the fact that the holidays means people are buying presents and probably making a good deal of jewelry to give as presents as well. Another reason why you see so many sales of jewelry supplies right now is because vendors are trying to liquidate inventory. Once January starts up, a new tax year begins. If they have too much stock left in inventory, this can be a tax hit for them. They want to have inventory as low as possible.Because vendors really need to clear out old merchandise, this means there are lots of opportunities for scooping up some deals. Of course, if you are also running a jewelry business, for example you sell your finished jewelry, then you have to be careful. You also don't want to create too much inventory right before the end of the year and have issues with your taxes. But for those jewelry designers who do this more as a hobby, there are some excellent sales going on. Feel free to add to the list, but here are a few I've seen popping up among various jewelry supply vendors. Many of these sales are only going on for a few days, so they will end very soon:
Artbeads.com is having a 20% off sale right now on orders of $60 or more.
Rings & Things has a 10% off sale on sterling silver components.
Fire Mountain Gems & Beads is having an end of the year bead blow-out sale.
HHH Enterprises is having a 25% off everything sale.
Cindy Gimbrone is having a 15% off sale plus free beads offering going on right now.
Crafts Etc. is have a 50% off one item sale. The shopping cart code is SAVE0912.
Beaducation has a 20% off sale going on for its silver blanks.
These are just a few sales that I've seen going on right now. Feel free to add others you know about as a comment to this post, and remember, many of these sales will end soon.
Jewelry Supply Sales originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 10:46:34.
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… ContinueMake It Merry 11/26/09
Happy Thanksgiving, folks. Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's.
Snowman Ornament
Sherri Osborn will show you how to create a cute snowman face using a clear, glass ornament. It's a great project for the whole family.
Recycled Pine Cone Gnome
Get a glimpse of this pine cone gnome at the Recycled Crafts blog. It's a cute reason to collect a few pine cones around the yard.
CopprClay Pendants
Try your hand with pendant making this year with a little help from some winter foliage. The Beading Arts blog will show you how.
How to Make Paper
Handmade paper not only makes a great gift for the avid scrapbooker in your life, but you can also create tags and cards for every present on your list. Marion Boddy-Evans shows us how.
Little Town of Bethlehem Cross Stitch
Get down to the true meaning of Christmas with this simple cross stitch pattern from Connie G. Barwick.
Mitten Earrings
Tammy Powley shows us how to make these cute mitten earrings using lampwork beads.
Christmas Stocking
This cute two-color Christmas stocking is a breeze to knit, even if you've never knit a sock before. Worked with bulky yarn on big needles, it will be done and ready for you to embellish in no time.
Advent Garland
If you are looking for something a little different when it comes to counting down to the holidays this year then take a look at this pyramid box garland. Use the free template to make the boxes and decorate them with your favorite festive stamps.
Miniature Gift Boxes
Have a little gift to give? Check out these free printable miniature gift boxes for small gifts or advent calendars from Lesley Shepherd.
Manga Holiday Card
Instead of a traditional Christmas card, you could go with something a little more contemporary this year. Helen South has tips on how to create a manga style card.
Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.
Make It Merry 11/26/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 10:50:23.
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… ContinueChain Gang Jewelry
Books are one of the many jewelry making items many of us add to your holiday gift list, so you may want to take a look at a new book I recently reviewed. This book focuses on making jewelry using prefabricated chain. It is called Chain Style: 50 Contemporary Jewelry Designs (Interweave Press $19.95,) and it is written by Jane Dickerson. Along with designs created by the author, nine other jewelry designer collaborated on this title.After reading the review, you may want to add this to your "want list," or consider giving it to a jewelry making friend.
Chain Gang Jewelry originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 11:39:31.
Jewelry Junkie Link Love 11/22/09
A Bead A DayDo pearls go with everything? Lisa pairs glass pearls with chain and interesting findings. What do you think?
Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene gives you the scoop on findings worth finding - check it out!
Barbe Saint John
I've been a bad blogger! Find out what's up with Barb and her blog.
Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi makes a brooch with a cameo and other odds and ends.
Cindy Gimbrone aka The Lampwork Diva
Cindy has a new shop on Etsy - the bleeding heart. Check it out!
Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows the piece she made for the new book Chain Style, and talks about her struggles with letting go of her published jewelry pieces.
Jean Campbell
Jean kicks off a new era of self-indulgence with a funky Steampunk necklace.
Jewelry & Beading
Gather up some little beaded flowers and turn them into a very special necklace!
Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei's annual craft fair adventure is over and she share's some photos of the Aftermath.
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Artbeads teamed up with Nintendo DS to create a fantastic virtual learning game for jewelry lovers! Style Lab! Jean shows it off in a youtube clip! FUN for the HOLIDAYS! :)
Strands of Beads
Melissa discusses the virtue of buttons in jewelry-making
Jewelry Junkie Link Love 11/22/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 12:36:47.
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… ContinueMake It Merry 11/19/09
Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's.
Advent Candy Tree
Everyone loves counting down to the holidays...add candy to the mix and you've got a fun Advent calendar from Sherri Osborn for the whole family to enjoy.
Pumpkin Cross Stitch Pattern
Use a variegated floss to make a swirling pumpkin that would look great near the Thanksgiving table. Connie G. Barwick has the free pattern.
Knit Wreath Ornament
Scrap knitting makes for fun quick projects that are perfect for any skill level. Sarah E. White has the instructions for this cute wreath.
Miniature Glitter Houses
Snowy villages look great upon every mantle and tabletop. Lesley Shepherd has a free printable so you can make your own tiny houses.
Paper Bead Star Ornament
If you're looking for something a little different to do with your paper beads then take a look at this paper bead star. This project is simple to adapt in a wide variety of ways.
Rustic Pillar Candles
'Tis the season for running out to buy candles. David Fisher will show you how to make these festive pillar candles with the perfect finish.
Pear Diamonds Painted Card
This card has an intricate finish, but it is so easy to make. Tina Jones shows us how to create this colorful card from start to finish.
Christmas Apron Pattern
Just because you've got to bake cookies for the whole family doesn't mean you can't look fabulous! Phyllis Dobbs has created this adorable holiday apron, and she's got the free pattern just for you.
Flower Petal Ornament Cover
Sometimes those plain ornaments just need a little dressing up. Tammy Powley will show you how to use seed beads to create this unique ornament drapery.
Paint a Christmas Tree
Instead of paying a premium for a colored tree, Barbara Crews will show us how to paint your tree red to match the latest holiday trends.
Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.
Make It Merry 11/19/09 originally appeared on About.com Jewelry Making on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 08:35:26.
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Brenda
Paul
Thank you for the wonderful messages. The crochet wire necklace was wow!!! I taught myself to bead crochet and its fun. I know wire crochet look fun too. I will try that later in life. One thing at a time for me. Isn't beading so fun:)
Bev~
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