Studio, Bead Shop and Retreat of Andrew Thornton featuring Humblebeads

Welcome to a peek inside the studio and bead shop of Andrew Thornton. It is called Allegory Gallery.

Sign on the wall of Allegory Gallery

Lots of goodies to be seen in Allegory Gallery

Bead temptations for shoppers are everywhere

I was in Ligonier, Pennsylvania,  this weekend for a instructional retreat hosted by Andrew Thornton of Allegory Gallery. Heather Powers of Humblebeads was the instructor.  We made some amazing pieces of jewelry.  The jewelry and instructions are featured in Heather's new book that is coming out in December, 2015.  I can't wait to see more of her designs and instructions.  

Power's illustrations line the wall of the shop

Heather is an illustrator and  polymer clay artist who creates beads around nature. Her bird beads and disk beads are favorites of mine.  The retreat and book also feature her wonderful metal work.  I learned how to make a metal leaf that can be used in a bracelet or necklace at the retreat in addition to get an idea of how she designs and makes her gorgeous disk beads.  I left the retreat with lots of knowledge 2 necklaces, a pair of earrings, 1 bracelet and misc. beads that I made at the retreat.  Heather is quite the task master! Heather is a member of Art Bead Scene and can be found http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com.

Power's black bird and disk bead are featured in black raven necklace by Bay MoonDesign

I think it is important to support local business and artists like Andrew and Heather.  When planning your holiday shopping think local and artisan.  Even if the goods are a little more, they offer more choice, better quality, and benefit individual artisans.