Bead Finds and Scenery in Very Cute Ligonier, PA.

The Diamond

I took a road trip to Ligonier, Pennsylvania to attend a polymer clay bead making and metal working retreat.  I could not pass up an opportunity to meet bead artist and author Heather Powers of Humblebeads and this also gave me an excuse to visit this very cute town.  It is another small town charmer in the USA.  Ligonier is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,573 at the 2010 census.  It was settled in the 1760s. It is steeped in French and Indian War history at Fort Ligonier,  Located in the very heart of the town of Ligonier is The Diamond. This beautiful little park is home to trees, flowers and birds.

One of the many cute store fronts in town

The town is filled with more than 70 specialty shops, restaurants and places to stay.

Main Gallery

The retreat was held in the back of Main Gallery which had an array of handmade artisan crafts.

back of Main Gallery

How cute are these sculptures in the back of Main Gallery?

Fall gourmet temptations

Other buildings are home to restaurants, pubs, coffee houses.

One of the many spots to get some great food and beverage

Thistledown at Seger House

Across the Diamond and down West Main Street is a beautiful, red sandstone building with a long history.  This Ligonier landmark was most recently a hospital (for 66 years) and before that, a private home for the Seger family.  John Seger was a coal baron who built the house in 1918.  Presently, it is a 8 room Inn with a wonderful cafe filled with more gourmet temptations and a very cute yarn shop where folks drop in, sit down knit and chat. 

Lovely old home with coal chute

Speaking of coal, have you ever seen a coal chute?  Look at the lower left corner of this charming house and there is a coal chute.

Andrew Thornton's bead shop - Allegory Gallery

What town wouldn't have a bead shop?  I spent some time in Andrew Thornton's bead shop--Allegory Gallery.  He has a great selection of beads, sari ribbons, and waxed linen thread as well as some ceramics and jewelry.  I even spotted one of his handmade silver rings that I saw in a blog that he posted about making it.  

What about Fort Ligonier?  The fort deserves a blog of its down with lots of photos.  I was very impressed by this historic gem!