The LH Bead Gallery

An inspiring and delightful bead store!

I wasn’t prepared for what hit me.  The first thing my eyes noticed was an explosion of color.  A veritable feast for the senses.  Whether you’re a beader coming in for supplies to create your own works of art, or a savvy shopper who appreciates fine craftsmanship and artistry searching for that special one-of-a-kind purchase, you will definitely remember your visit to L.H. Bead Gallery in historic Panama City..

 

Lisa at L.H. Bead Gallery is the owner and resident artist. She’s been making her own gorgeous beads and pendants for 16 years, and her shop carries over 40,000 strands of pearls, gems, glass and much more. The LH Bead Gallery has a wide variety of everything you need to create jewelry. The store also carries beautiful artisan jewelry, as well as unique gifts. Lisa uses a fascinating technique called “lampwork” to make her beads and pendants which she uses in designing and assembling her very special creations.

Here’s the definition from Wiki: Lampworking is a type of glasswork where a torch or lamp is primarily used to melt the glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps.

And here’s Lisa’s description taken right from her website: “About my beads- called lampwork beads- All jewelry you see has been made by winding molten glass around a narrow stainless steel rod…The glass is held in the flame of a torch, then layered and manipulated in an endless number of ways. Then placed in a kiln all night for strength. The next day the bead hole is cleaned with a dremel and then turned into these one of a kind pieces of wearable art.”

Aside from Lisa’s exquisitely detailed work, I think I may appreciate the Fair Trade beads next. At gem shows Lisa handpicks unique beads like Roman glass beads Excavated in the middle east, handmade African beads, Guana bottle glass beads and many others.

L.H. Bead Gallery in  Panama City has bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and whole sets in many colors and styles to choose from. And if you just can’t decide on a gift, then a gift certificate would make a wonderful stocking stuffer at Christmas or just an “I love you” surprise for anytime at all.

You can buy strands of beads or individual beads – or both. I especially liked the seahorse beads, and the colorful fish beads, and the starfish beads… well, actually, I kind of liked them all. And Lisa’s wonderfully friendly staff is always ready and willing to assist you with any questions you may have and to help you find just what you’re looking for.

Being located in Panama City means L.H. Bead Gallery’s most popular color and type of bead is aqua and anything marine life, but there’s so much more to choose from. And her shop is located right in the heart of historic Panama City, so it’s a great place to park your car and enjoy an afternoon wandering around exploring.

If you’ve been thinking about learning how to create your own jewelry, never fear. L.h. bead gallery has several experienced beading instructors. In these classes such as how to design and make leather and pearl, seed bead, wirework and metalwork jewelry and much more.

So go for it – check out their calendar here www.lhbeads.com, sign up for a class and start creating your very own masterpieces!

One more thing – Lisa mentioned how she loves custom orders. Stop in and tell her what you have in mind. After seeing up close and personal just how much detail she puts into her art, I’m thinking you’ll be astounded and very pleased with the end product.

Do yourself a favor and make L.H. Bead Gallery your primary destination in historic Downtown Panama City.

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