Elaine's new bead shape...and how she works

This is a new bead shape from Elaine Ray...a square version of her washer. She wrote about this bead:

'A new bead shape: Many of you know how I work - think of a new bead shape, make just a couple and see how it is to glaze and fire them, then make a handful more to get a success / failure rate, and then decide if I want to make them in production. But not for this bead - I was so excited with the first flash vision in my head I didn't bother to think it through and just jumped in and made 100 in each color of clay I use (buff, brown and white). My plan was to glaze the flat side and leave the skinny edges of clay showing, sort of opposite of my washer beads. As soon as I attempt to glaze the first one of those 300 beads it hits me - this won't work! The glaze will run and stick to the wire in the kiln unless I'm super, super, super careful when applying the glaze and use only glazes that don't run. Well, I'm not capable of being that careful and most of my glazes run. Hmmmmm - I can't just toss out 300 beads so I figure I'll just glaze them same at the washer beads and say good bye to the shape forever.

BUT - now I'm loving the shape and edges so will most likely make more and more of them.'

Oh, Elaine, we agree! I can't wait to see these at the Trunk Show at Ornamentea on Friday and Saturday. I can think of about ten projects that I need these for...and there will be a fab class with Lorelei Eurto on Friday night where I could use the beads if I want...this is going to be a great weekend!

Lorraine from Florida visits the store

Here I am with Lorraine, a customer from Florida that I met when she was leaving the store. She asked her husband to take a picture of her in front of our sign and that got me interested. She told me how they were retired and were traveling around. She said her crafty daughter would be jealous of the visit to Ornamentea. We talked about our midwestern roots (she's from Michigan, originally, and I am from Ohio so we have basically the same accent.) Of course, I wanted to have my picture taken with her. I thought she was just arriving at the store, so I went in the back and fiddled around looking for a specific camera or my camera phone while patient Lorraine waited for me. See, she had already finished her shopping before I arrived that day. Finally, she asked for me and I came out. Sorry, Lorraine, I really thought you had just arrived. I wouldn't have spent so much time looking for my favorite camera!