About

Hello Bead Bugs!
Yours Truly. 2013.

If you're here, that probably means one of two things:

1. You love beaded jewelry.

2. You love to MAKE beaded jewelry.

Either way, you're in the right place!

About Vanishing Pearl

Vanishing Pearl is the name Tamara Allison gave to her imaginary business at the age of 15. At the time, the jewelry being created for this business was far from imaginary. In fact, it was steadily winning design competitions and gracing the covers of magazines. Now, it is here for all to see.

The full story:

13 year old Tamara didn't know what she was getting into when a mysterious friend invited her to visit for a week. Horseback riding, trampoline injuries, rabbit feeding, skunk chasing, getting squashed by a six year old at Super Mario Smash Brothers, and something called loomwork...dun, dun, DUUUUUUUNNNNNN!!!!!!!


First ever piece of beading! 2002.


Somehow, small plastic beads, yards of thread, sharp needles, and a weird metal contraption introduced her to a new world. Upon returning home, Tamara searched out ways to fulfill a need for her newly found habit-forming addiction. Her mother watched as the young girl succumbed to such symptoms as increased nearsightedness, hand cramps, poor posture, and the ever feared 'nose in book' syndrome.




First ever pattern! 2002.


All was not lost, however. Tamara soon learned to juggle the demands of homework with beadwork. She later used her desire to make jewelry (but not wear it) to find a way into college. At 22, Tamara obtained the elusive BFA from Midwestern State University with a major in Metalsmithing and a minor in Painting. Of course she would have majored in beadwork! Unfortunately, such a thing doesn't exist, so she had to make do with what she could get.



Currently 31, Tamara is still going strong. She uses found objects, buttons, and cannibalized junk jewelry in her designs. Donations are welcome (old buttons, rusty washers, plumbing parts, pretty rocks, etc.). So is advice. Please have a look around, and adopt a piece of your very own! We have papers...

Hang out on this journey with me. Have some coffee and chat. Make sure to follow if you like what you see.


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