About The Artist: Kimberly Allison
Hello, and welcome to my passion!
My name is Kimberly Allison and I love beads. It's not the love that comes when you merely think that beads are pretty. My obsession goes far beyond that. I look at these minute bits of glass and see endless potential... an artistic medium that can speak to the soul.
Sometimes, we find our passion in unexpected ways. Mine was literally the light at the end of the tunnel. I had fallen into a fallacy that so many women today are caught up in... that happiness equals sacrifice. I poured my heart, soul and spirit into trying to be a super-mom of 3 sons. After a few years I discovered a terrible secret: even the most powerful river can run dry if it is not replenished by rain. I fell into a deep depression. It was at this stage of my life that someone asked me a pointed question: "What do you do for yourself"? Hmmm...it had never occurred to me that I was even allowed to think about myself! It was time to begin a voyage of self-discovery.
I started beading at the end of 2002. My first works were merely simple strands of glass and stone, with lots of uneven knots and cheap findings. I still have them today, as they keep me humble. As I began to explore beading, I was mesmerized! How could something so ancient still breathe life into the most modern of times? I was hooked.
My bead collection grew from a few small boxes, to larger boxes, then finally to full-sized dressers and armoires. The corner of my kitchen became a joyful riot of color, as I brought in more and more beads. Thankfully, my husband and sons have indulged this madness with great patience.
In October of 2004, I was ready to take a step into what seemed the next logical step, and I entered the world of lampworking. Using a soft glass from Italy, named Effetre, I swirl and whirl molten glass over a flame, as I now create my own beads.
I am also a teacher. In what has become one of the most fulfilling aspects of beadwork, I now share my passion to students around the San Diego area. I am thrilled when they leave my classes, as enthusiastic about beading as I am!
As time goes on, I am constantly looking for new media. My works now include ceramics, glass, fibers and altered art collages. These are more suited for everyday wear, as every day should include artistic expression!
I am so glad that you have taken the chance to meet me, and I hope that you enjoy my work, as much as I have enjoyed creating it.
Professional Credits:
Demonstrating Artist, First Night Escondido, 2004
Escondido Art Association, 1st place in division, April 2004
"Anemone" beaded necklace, San Diego Fair 2004, 2nd place Professional Category (Open Techniques),
"Flight of Fantasy" beaded necklace, San Diego Fair 2004, 2nd place Professional Category (Combination of Beadwork Techniques)
"Maharani" beaded art doll, San Diego Fair 2004, 1st place Profession Category (Open Techniques), Best of Beadwork Division, "It's a Small World" juried art show, 2005, Municipal Art Gallery, Escondido CA
"Gaea" beaded art doll, "Small Images" 2004, juried art show, Municipal Gallery, Escondido CA
"Bliss" beaded art doll, "Small Images", 2004 juried art show, Municipal Gallery, Escondido CA
"Mermaidens" beaded art dolls, Published in Art Doll Quarterly, Winter 2006
"Flame Dancer" beaded art doll, Published in Art Doll Quarterly, Winter 2006
"Sheherazade" bead embroidery collar, Fine Beadwork Finalist for Fire Mountain Gems, beadwork competition 2004, First Place winner, Professional category / Best of Division, San Diego County Fair 2005, 1st place winner, Artistry in Beadwork, San Diego Bead Society 2005, Featured in Fire Mountain Gems' advertisement on back cover of Bead and Button Magazine October 2005
"Autumn's Song" Multiple technique faux lariat. 1st place in Professional, mixed techniques category, San Diego County Fair 2005, "Summation 2005" juried art show, Municipal Gallery, Escondido CA
" Oceana" Free-form necklace. 2nd place Professional Category, San Diego County Fair 2005
Demonstrating Artist, First Night Escondido 2005
Guest Writer, Bella Online, "Expressing Yourself ( In Color!)"
"From This Day Forward" (as featured on my home page) Bead embroidery / free-form Bridal Wreath. Finalist, Bead and Button's "Bead Dream" competition, published in Bead and Button's October 2005 issue, 1st place Professional Division 2006 San Diego County Fair.
Untitled (Corsage in bead flowers) 2nd place winner for Bead Jewelry and Accessories, Fire Mountain Gems Beadwork Competition, 2005 - 2006, 2nd place Professional Mixed Techniques San Diego County Fair 2006
Demonstrating Artist, First Night Escondido 2006
"One Bead at a Time" Guest lecture at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Riverside CA, February 2006
"Arachne" beaded necklace Tri-county Bead Society Challenge. First place, seed bead category
"Passage" Bead Embroidered collar necklace, featuring antique hardware. Finalist, Bead and Button's "Bead Dreams" 2006.
"Technica" Necklace and bracelet set, Honorable Mention, San Diego County Fair 2006
Demonstrating Artist, First Night Escondido 2007
Demonstrating Artist, First Night Escondido 2008
"Flight" Bead embroidered collar. Finalist Fire Mountain Gems competition 2006 - 2007 (Focal beads, courtesy of the talented Pam Pitts)
"Headhunter" Multi-piece beaded sculpture. San Diego County Fair 2008. 3rd place winner in category, Fine Arts Division.
"The Darke Queene" Bead and wire diadem. Finalist, Fire Mountain Gems 2008
"Sugar and Ice" Bead and wire diadem. Finalist, Fire Mountain Gems 2008