A Blog Giveaway

So I haven't done a blog giveaway in a long, long, long time.  I think it's been about a year, yup like I said, a long time.  So I think it's time for a little giveaway.  Next week will mark three years with etsy and I'd like to thank everyone that has made it a wonderful experience.  So time for the giveaway.   

So what exactly is up for grabs here?  Well let take a look, shall we.

First up is a pair of blue dangle earrings.  These are fun bright blue earrings made with tiny little silver lined beads and then accented with glass bicones.  I have a pair of gunmetal ones like this, and I get complements everywhere I go.  But these earrings are not for the weak of heart, they measure in at 3 inches in length.

I'm also going to be giving some lucky person a beaded cuff.  Yup a really cute blue butterfly cuff.  It's fun and playful with two light blue butterflies dancing around your wrist.  It measures about 2 inches wide and has an adjustable wrist size.  


So what do you have to do?  There are a few simple ways you can enter.  

First you can leave a comment on this blog post.  It can be anything; you can tell me what you would do if you won or just say hi.  Any comment will equal one entry.

You can tweet about this giveaway, don't forget to add #threefates to the tweet so I can find it.  Then come back here and let me know you tweeted the giveaway.

You could blog about this giveaway.  Just write a short blog post describing the giveaway and link back to my blog.  Then don't forget to come back here and leave a comment to let me know.

And finally you could make a post about it on Facebook.  It can be a post on your personal page or your business page, it doesn't matter.  And like before, just come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did it. 

**I've also decided to add a 5th way to enter my giveaway.  If you are not already a fan of the Three Fates Design Facebook page, become a fan and leave a comment here letting me know you did.  That will give you a 5th chance at winning one of the fantastic prizes.**

Each one of the things above will count as one entry, so you could have your name entered in the drawing up to five times. 

I'll leave this giveaway up until the end of August.  That will give everyone plenty of time to enter and it will give me plenty of time for art shows and everything else that's crazy here.

I will randomly choose two lucky winners on September 1, 2010.  So don't forget to stop back here and see if you won (please leave a way for me to contact you in one of your comments).

Comments must be in by midnight (central time) on August 31, 2010.  Sorry no choice on which item you win (one person will win the earrings and one will win the cuff).

EBW Challenge Piece

My EBW challenge piece

I know I've shown pictures of this cuff before, but I finally got it listed on etsy, one day before this month's deadline.  I didn't want to miss out on this challenge since I had missed last month's deadline (I forgot that the deadline was the 5th).

This month's challenge is Gold and Silver.  I love this idea.  Just that perfect combination of two extremely classy colors.  I also love seeing all the beadwork made with these two colors, all those little tiny silver and gold beads just shimmer in the light.  Beautiful.  I know voting is going to be difficult this month, there are already so many beautiful entries.  You can search EBWC on etsy to find all the entries and don't forget to visit the EBW blog between August 9th and 15th to vote for your favorite piece. 

Here are a couple of my favorite entries (even though it's hard to pick).

This beautiful cuff, Silver Remake Beaded Cuff,  was created by Beads and Blooms and is just to die for.  I absolutelty love the silver mesh piece in the center of the cuff.  Just beautiful. 

Then I love this necklace, The Sunshine After the Rain, from The Crimson Moon.  It's has a simple yet spectacular feel to it. 

Both pieces are just a taste of some of the beauties that you can vote for this month.  Like I said before, it's going to be a tough decision this month. 

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And I've already started thinking about next month's challenge; BollyWood.  I have a clay cab I made that will just work perfectly, now to decide what I'm going to do and start working on that one.  :-) 

Day Three Preview

Day Three

Well I've been working on my little beaded vessel and here is my day three preview.

It's actually starting to look like something.  It's a couple of inches tall, yes he's a little guy.

So far I have been able to make it flare out a little bit and then bring it back in.  I'm pretty proud of myself with this.  I really wasn't sure how it was going to look.

I have a little bit more to do before I can call it done.  I would like to bring it in a little bit more at the top and then flare out once more, but in a different way.  I'm not going to try to attempt to explain what's rolling around in my head right now, no one would understand my crazy rambling, so I'll wait until I try it to show you. 

The herringbone stitch is really pretty easy to work with, so I will be taking that in consideration for future vessel projects.  I think I might try peyote stitch next and then RAW.  But I guess I better finish this one before I start with my next project.

Christmas Gifts!

I just finished up a couple of necklaces I made for my mom and my MIL.

I really love these beaded rings. I was practicing my beading around objects, and I completely misjudged the size of the steel washer I was beading around, so I just finished them off as rings. I've always loved seeing beaded rings and other shapes, so I'm glad I've (accidentally) learned how.

I received these great bead mixes the other day and couldn't wait to get something made with them. I really think my mom and MIL will like these. They are simple yet really pretty.

I made myself one that was using a green and gold seed bead mix, I love it. (J says it looks like a wreath).
I also got new backgrounds for my pictures (new scrapbook paper). Ok, so maybe it was a gift to myself while I was out Christmas shopping. I was super excited to use it on some new pictures. I love the way the first picture looks.

Finally Friday

Well It's Friday, Yippee!!! I have had such a week, I really hope this weekend will be better. Lets just say I had a little bit of a crazy week.

The good news is, I finally sat down and finished taking pictures. Ok, so I didn't actually finish, but I made really good headway, and that's all that counts, right (and after yesterday's mess, I'm surprised I got anything done).

First up is the second small "cuff" I've made.

It's the same width as the first one, 3/5 of an inch wide. I love anything checkered, so I really love this one.

It's again, super simple to wear, you don't even really realize you have it on. I like the way the "crystal" button makes it a little bit "fancy". (Wow, I really like quotes today) I think it dresses up the more casual pattern of the beadwork.

So I'm pretty happy with this one. Part of me say 'keep it for yourself', but the other part of me says 'no, you can always make another.' So I'm going to part with it. You can check it out in my etsy store if you are interested.

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Here is one of the pictures I took last night. OH MY GOD do I love this picture.

I spent the majority of my time last night taking new pictures of older items. Ones that I took pictures of a while back before I learned how to use the SLR. The pictures weren't bad, they just weren't great. You can see an example of an earlier picture of my seashore necklace below. I just didn't know what setting on the camera to use or how to set up proper lighting. I think I've gotten better at both of these things.

So I just wanted to share one of my new favorite pictures with everyone. I'm in love with how the colors of the coral and beads really come through in this picture. I never thought the pictures did this necklace justice until now.



Okay I'm done raving about that picture. Everyone have a good weekend. I know I'm going to try.

Introducing - Tiny Cuffs

So I've been working on a few new bracelets. I would like to call them cuffs, but at only 1/2 in wide, I guess they are not cuffs.

They are really simple, but still really pretty. And they look great on, most important feature. They are also very easy to wear. Perfect for the person who doesn't want to sport the 2 inch cuff. This one is the first one I've listed on etsy.

I'm really happy with how they turned out. I'll have to get more pictures taken so I can show off the rest of them I made.

Don't forget to Vote for the BEM Challenge

Yesterday I asked everyone to head on over the EBW's blog and vote for your favorite entry (voting is still open, so if you haven't voted yet, you have time). Well now it is time to vote for your favorite BEM challenge piece. There were only 5 entries this month, but that will grow as the market grows. All 5 entries are completely stunning, so choosing will be hard. So please stop by the BEM Blog to vote for your favorite!!!

New Necklace (well just relisted)

I relisted this fun and pretty necklace this morning.

I really love this one; it's super simple, but still so elegant. I might just have to make one for myself.

I used ice blue glass rounds and a deep transparent blue seed bead to create this wonderful pendent.

It has sort of a wavy look to it that makes it very lovely.

You can check it out HERE in my etsy store.

**I'm not sure if I've already posted about this necklace, but oh well. I feel in needs a little repost. And I also love this picture of it. It turned out so nice.**

What's On The Ol' Beading Board

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY IN THE ETSY BEADWEAVERS CHALLENGE. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. I've been so busy with so many different things that I've forgoten to keep up with my blog. I'm sorry.

So lets take a look at what's on my beading board right now.

I'm getting ready for my next art show (this Saturday). I'll be showing my art at the Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair in Wales, WI. You can find more info HERE.

So this is what I've been working on. I am making more beaded hoop earrings, because everyone seems to love them, and I'm working on different interlocking triangles. I just think these are so fun to make. I also am trying to get a few more lace cuffs ready to go. I have just the one done and who knows if I'll have time to get anymore done. But I'll try.

I'm busy, busy, busy getting ready for this show. This one is going to be fun. It's on the Glacial Drumlin Bike trail and the weather is supposed to be beautiful. I can't wait.

Rising Sun - New Horizons

About a year ago I made a crazy purchase, I bought a bunch of large marble disk beads. They were beautiful, but what to do with them? Then the them to the Beadweaving Emporium Market challenge theme was announced. The theme was "New Horizons" with a mini theme to incorporate green. This was a wonderful chance for me to use these beautiful green beads.

I used wonderful copper lined green seed beads and then bright silver lined silver and gold seed beads to create this wonderful necklace. I beaded around the green marble disk to create a lovely pendent. I then finished it with fringe and a beaded rope.

I see a rising sun every time I look at this necklace. I think it has a very Inca or Mayan feel to it. The silver lined beads really make it glow like the sun. This necklace not only reminds me of the rising sun, but also because it was my first attempt at beading around a bead with netting.

This necklace is about 18 inches in length and the pendent measures 3 by 5 1/4 inches.

This is for the Beadweaving Emporium (BEM) New Horizon's Challenge. You can check out all of the entries and vote for your favorite at the Market's Blog!

I am really proud of myself with this piece. This is a little out of the box for me, but I had so much fun making it. I really love the way it looks and it looks even better on. I wore it for a little bit the other day and was very happy with it. If you'd like to see more pictures stop by my 1000 Markets store for a closer look. And while you're at 1000 markets don't forget to search "BEMC" for all the wonderful entries.

80s-Tastic Cuff

I have a brand spanking new cuff!!! I call it the 80's-tastic cuff. I'm in love with it. It's bright and colorful and reminds me of the track suits and ski jackets of the 1980s.

Teal and purple triangles, classic 80s.

This cuff is so fun to wear. I thought about keeping it for myself, but I wanted to share it with everyone, so I listed it on etsy. And I really should stop keeping things for myself, LOL!

This is the first time that I used Toho seed beads. They were on sale and I was curious about them, so I bought just these three colors. The teal is a silver lined bead, the purple is a metallic bead, and the black is an opaque hex bead.

This cuff is just over 1 1/2 inches (actual width 1 5/8 in) and about 7 inches long.

You can check it out HERE.

Woot, woot - It's Friday

Don't forget, today (May 1st) is the last day of my birthday special in my etsy store. That's FREE SHIPPING ON EVERYTHING. Click here to check it out!

Stop back for details on my mother's day sale!

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Me and J celebrated our fifth anniversary last night. It was great. We spent the day together just hanging out.

Then we went to a new Japanese restaurant in West Allis. OMG, the sushi and shashimi was to die for. We had the combo for two. It was served in a wooden boat, it was so cute. It came with a bunch of sushi and shashimi and one of the chef's specialty rolls; the rainbow roll. This was fantastic. It was a California roll wrapped in tuna, salmon, shrimp, avocado, and red snapper. It was so amazing. I was in heaven.

Then we went to The Killers concert. It was amazing. The show sold out the day the tickets went on sale, but some how J got a pair. I've been waiting for three months for this show, and it was worth it. They were so great live. I had such a good time (except for the extreme PDA couple next to us, but oh well).

I would have to say that this was the best birthday/anniversary ever (or as J kept telling me my birthiversary, hehehehehe).

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This is a new pair of long dangle earrings. I used a crazy transparent bright blue, it's a lot of fun.

They are supper long, coming in at about 4 inches in length.

And of course they're finished off with a pair of handmade sterling silver ear wires.

You can find them in my 1000 markets store if you're interested.

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Till next time!

1000 Markets - Beadweavers Emporium

Looking for unbelievable beaded products? Well check out the NEW Beadweavers Emporium at 1000 Markets.

This market is filled with absolutely beautiful beaded lovelies, like; necklaces, bracelets, earrings, broaches, and handbags.

Don't believe me, check out a few of these beauties.





And yes I am a proud member of this unbelievably talented group of people. Check out all the artists out today.

Newest Cuff

Here is my newest cuff. It's a corsage cuff. I really like these. I made one for myself a while back, and I wear it all the time.

This one is a little bit more "fancy" then the one I made for myself.

I used silver lined seed beads for the Russian leaves and both matte and shiny size 6 seed beads for the band.

Then I made a lampwork flower bead for the focal. I'm still working on perfecting making flowers like this. I'm not very good at it, but I do notice I'm getting better over time.

I'm gonna go with Midnight in the Garden for the name. I really like this, and I can't wait to wear it tomorrow at work as a trial run. Then I'll post and update on how it holds up to everyday wear.

What I've Been Working On!!!

At the beginning of the month, my brother contacted me and said he worked with a woman that would love to have a cuff made, he then sketched up a simple design and sent it to me. She has a son that is autistic, so she wanted his name and puzzle pieces; in black and silver. So this is how it turned out. I think it looks great.


Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was asked by a group of friends (all are teachers) if I could make a few cuffs. They all work specifically with autistic children and wanted cuffs. So I worked on a few different designs and these are the two I came up with.

The first one is just puzzle pieces. I like this one because the colors are so vibrant.


The second one was a little bit more challenging. I wanted to do the ribbon, but was having problems getting puzzle shaped pieces on such a small scale. I finally just decided to leave it like this. They are not puzzle pieces, but I think anyone looking at it can tell what it is supposed to represent.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one. I thought it might look ridiculous, and possible like multicolored camo or something. But I really, really like this one. The ribbon really stands out on the crisp white background. And it looks great on the wrist. I'm so happy with how this one turned out.

Isn't it funny how you can be convinced that you are not going to like something, and then when it's all done, it's one of you favorites?

I'm going to be making a few of these up soon. And I've decided to give part of the proceeds to autism research.

Something New From Me

This is the new necklace that I just finished. It started out a lot simpler then it end up, but I think it was for the better.

I have always loved these little beaded circles. I always thought they were really pretty. So I thought, what the heck, I should try these little babies out.

I gathered up some vintage pearls I have had for years and this wonderful teal color seed beads. I really love these seed beads. The color is one of my favorite, just behind deep purple.

I sketched a necklace that only consisted of FIVE of these circles. I wanted it a simple everyday necklace. But then as I worked I thought, well what if I just did a little one here, and maybe I'll add one here too. And this is the finished product of what grew out of my crazy mind.

But I have to say, I really am pleased. I have even wore it for a full day in the lab. And it's easy to wear, which is always a plus.

Well I'm off to create some new beady goodness and enjoy the beautiful weather this St. Patrick's Day. A full Pint of Guinness for everyone today.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

Visions Of Spring

Fun, bright colors that remind you of the Caribbean. Warm salty breezes and beautiful fish swimming in crystal clear blue water. A tropic paradise.

This necklace was all hand beaded using tiny little Czech seed beads in a wonderful array of bright colors. It is finished with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

It measures about 18 1/2 inches (47 cm) in length and measures about 1/2 thick (1 cm).

It's available HERE.

My Newest Addiction

So I have been absolutely horrible at keeping up with my posts lately and I apologize. Most of my time has been trying to balance finding a new research position and keeping up with my orders. Time really flies when you only have a few months before your steady paychecks stop showing up. So I'll try to be better at posting new things. I promise.

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I am really excited about my new addiction. For a long time I have been amazed by everyone that can make these beautiful beaded triangles. I actually thought that you made three little triangles and then stitched them together. It wasn't till I really looked at one that I realized that's not how you do it at all, you stitch them from the center out. Genius.

So Monday I sat down with some beads and decided to give it a go. It took me a little bit to figure out how you start one, and I know I could have gone and got some instrucitons, but I hate reading instructions and it makes me proud to be able to figure it out on my own. And this is what I came up with. I've made two so far and I'm working on a third one. I think they look pretty cool.

I haven't really ventured into designs yet, but eventually when I get a better hang of them I might. I just really thought they were cool and have always wanted to try them. Please forgive the crappy picture. I took it at work during my lunch. The colors are really off.

The Winner Of The EBW Challenge

Congratulation to Mariya of BeadCatcher on winning the EBW Challenge with her absolutely fabulous Tropical Treasures.


There were 47 entries in this challenge. That's fantastic. The runners up were:
Second: Tropical Garden by: SpringColors

Third: Tropical Holiday by: veroque

Fourth: Tropical Paradise Necklace by: CieloDesign

Fifth: Tropical Nights by: SmadarsTreasure

Sixth: Pink Flamingo Fantasy Necklace by: gypsyeyesjewelry

Seventh: Island Treasure Chest by: BeadazzledofOregon

Eighth: Tropical Rainforest Getaway by: Bead4you

Ninth: What if I'm a Mermaid by: ThesePreciousThings

Tenth: Blue lagoon necklace N961 by: FleurDeIrk

All the entries were unbelievable. This challenge really brought out the best of all the members. Congratulations to Mariya again, and everyone else.

EBW Jan/Feb Challenge Voting Open

Voting for the January/February Challenge voting is now open. Stop by the EBW Blog and vote for your favorite. There were 47 absolutely stunning entries this month. Voting end February 15th, so stop by and vote today.

My entry is #37. My beaded necklace in bright tropical colors. It's called Mayan Sun because as I stitched, it reminded me of the ancient Mayan artifacts and the pyramids rising out of the jungle.

You can find my necklace HERE.

And don't forget to stop by the EBW Blog to vote for your favorite entry.