Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Introducing..........Me

We are 7 months along with A Beautiful Mess and by showcasing each of the talented and beautiful women within; I've opened our doors to all of you.  Now it is time to introduce you to the last of us.....Me.


My journey into the world of interiors and antiques was somewhat unique.... to say the least.  Almost right out of high school I tested and was hired as a 9-1-1 Santa Monica Police Dispatcher.  For those of you that know me, that didn't know this about me, I know you're saying.....WHAT?
  Yes, I worked all night, in a dungeon with no windows, with crazy people calling, children needing help, victims of violent and non-violent crimes and even more crazies.  It was an extremely rewarding, yet a very stressful job for 11 years. I trained new dispatchers that were hired, as well as helped and dispatched Police Officers in the field to respond and deal with life threatening and critical incidents.

  On a wall in my home I have a very special reminder of a day out of my career in 1997; a Life Saving Medal and the Citation for the award.  I'm very proud of this; even though it's taken me years to share it with people. On this day, I saved a young model from committing suicide.  She had painstakingly planned this out, down to the most minute detail and had her pistol in her hand when she called 911 and reached me on the line.  For nearly two hours I was her lifeline and prevented her from shooting herself and two Police Officers.  At the time, I was the first and only civilian employee in the history of the department to have been awarded the Life Saving Medal by the Mayor and Chief of Police and today I feel extremely proud and honored. 

As a young girl I always loved color, texture and design, something my Mom tells me I acquired from my Great Grandmother who in her time was a Designer.  I would spend my free time rearranging my room trying to hide the wall to wall pink shag carpet and Holly Hobby wallpaper that my Mom wouldn't let me take down.  I even went so far as to give the shag rug haircuts to try and change the look of the room.  My love of Design never faded as I grew older. I knew that being a Dispatcher wasn't a job I could do forever.  One day while working on my own home I was approached by a Designer that I had hired to create some window treatments that I had designed. She came into my home and after learning of what I did for a living, told me I was missing my calling and that I needed to get myself "out there" because opportunities awaited me.  My time as a Dispatcher had come to a close and it was time for a new chapter in my life. I started Interior Motives by Kymberley Fraser in 1999 doing Interior Design in homes and offices all by word of mouth.  Being self taught meant that I had to learn as I grew and I have to say that, that in itself was a huge growing experience for me. As I made custom pieces of furniture over the years for my jobs, I always dreamed of someday having my own furniture/accessory line.




 That dream became reality while working on my own home "again" several years later. In my hunting and gathering travels I came across an antique German grain sack.  I was intrigued by the beauty and history and the unbelievably beautiful script and graphics. After the long process of educating myself and finding the right sources, I began collecting these pieces of history.  From there, it was simple. it was time to bring these pieces back to life and turn them into heirlooms by creating 3 Fine Grains
3 Fine Grains is named after my 3 beautiful daughters. 

  
The early success of 3 Fine Grains was mainly due to the wonderful world of blogging. Especially after being introduced to Gina from Willow Decor.  I didn't even know what a blog was (boy has that changed).  If you haven't been to her blog, it's a must follow. I will be forever grateful for all that her blogging has done for my business as well as all the other wonderful bloggers I have met along this journey. 

 As my home business grew, I decided it was time to find a showroom.  I found my new home in a local antique collective and began doing shows such as Remnants of the Past  and the C.A.L.M Antique Show to promote my design business and 3 Fine Grains. 



Over time I was selling to stores in and out of the Country and was loving every minute of it. Especially the great people I've met along the way. Within the walls of the collective is where I met all the wonderful ladies I share my store with today. A Beautiful Mess was born out of necessity; less than a year after we all met.  What a blessing it has been for all of us.  "The Mess" has allowed me the space and the freedom to showcase my 3 Fine Grains Designs along with the Industrial and European Antiques that I sell.





 I always dreamed of having a store but never did I imagine the joy it would bring me every time I unlock the door. My journey's not over.... it's only beginning and I want to thank everyone that's supported, loved, advised and helped me along the way. 


In closing, I would like to thank my amazing husband of almost 20 years for always standing by me, and for loving and supporting me the whole way. I wouldn't be where I am today without you by my side.  To my girls, thank you for putting up with all of Mommy's "dirty sacks",  the long hours I work and for making me want to be the very best I can possibly be.     

I hope you all have enjoyed the "introductions" and now have a clearer picture of who we all are individually.  We want to thank you all for following us on our blog and on Facebook.  It's all of you that have helped make this journey such a success. 

xo
Kymberley


P.S. I'll be selling at The Alameda Pointe Antique Show this coming Sunday with The Junk Girls in spaces B20 & B21.  Stop by and say hello!



16 comments:

  1. Beautiful girls! Of course they take after their mother. I love the comforter on the bed from grain sacks! Thanks so much for sharing. 8>)

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  2. Wow, that is an honor to win the award and thank God you were on the other end to save her. You would probably be surprised what I do in my "real job", I have 2 years to go and then I'm hitting the junkin road to do out of state shows. And one day I so hope to see your beautiful shop in person.

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  3. Thank you for sharing this very inspiring story about you with us. I am such a great admirer of your talent, you inspire what I do and has opened a new world to me which has grown to an obsession with grain bags. very best wishes to all of you , and may the Alameda Point be a huge success. Blessings from Afrique du Sud, Colette

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  4. I love your story, thank you for sharing it with us your followers, it is an honor to meet you, looking forward for lots of pictures of your designs on this blog. Best wishes for the Alameda show!
    XXXX Ido

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  5. Kym,
    I remember when I met you 16 years ago and you were doing the 911 thing.. but I didn't know about the award. Very cool!! I was so glad we reconnected again by chance. You are so inspirational! xxoo

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  6. Loved reading your story!! Beautiful, inspiring photos, too!

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  7. It is so nice to know the whole "story". I love your shop and what you sell. It is defiantly a highlight of my year that I was able to make it in to see your shop and also to sell at Remnants with you as a fellow vendor.(thanks to you!) Seeing the pictues of your family reminds me of the one that I took of you all at Remnants. I think it turned out so good! It is on the post that I did about Remnants. I will miss seeing you at Alameda this Sunday. We are going Camping! Talk to you soon, Terry

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  8. Miss Kymberley......I'm so PROUD of you!!! Thank you for sharing such an incredible story! I love you more each time I see you. You have a very blessed life! I wish you the best in your journey with A Beautiful Mess...

    See you this Sunday..xokathee

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  9. Kymberley,
    I agree with Kathee , you are very blessed!
    ~ Victoria

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  10. wow what a story.. as I read this it just goes to show you in life you never know where the road will lead you. You are here I beleive to not only help & save others but to surround them with beauty & peace.. all in all you are giving & sharing your gift with us. xoLaura
    verbena nested treasures
    trying to log in will not take?

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  11. kymberley, your story is an inspiration to anyone in the biz, be they a newbie just starting out or a seasoned vet looking for a fresh direction. a supportive hubs never hurts and i am blessed with one as well. your designs make me swoon. all the best to you in the future.

    hugs,

    shelley

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  12. Amazing story! You should feel proud.
    Patti

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  13. Hi Kymberley,
    Just finished reading about you & your sweet little shop.(in the Winter issue of Romantic Country)..
    4 years ago I moved from the Conejo Valley up to Spokane, Washington.... I soooo miss the Westlake/Agoura/Newbury Park & Moorpark area I called home for nearly40+ years.
    I plan to be down there next summer an dI have your shop is on my list of "to do's"....
    I am also enjoying you blog. It will give me something to read when I am snowed in! lol!

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  14. Nice to meet ya! What a well deserved honor! My husband is a fireman so we know the importance of dispatcher's around here. Loving your beautiful site!
    Kate

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  15. So glad i was directed to you guys!! Not just for the giveaway for those beautiful pillows but to see all the wonderful things you guys have on your page!!!

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