Ortonville- Glass with Class bead store will celebrate its grand opening Dec. 3, coinciding with Christmas in the Village.
The bead store, located at 437 Mill St., opened on Oct. 29 and has been receiving almost daily shipments of supplies that include natural stones, pearls, jewelry wire, toggles, Bali silver, Swarovski crystals and, of course, glass beads.
The store, owned by Theresa and Robin Mansfield, is filled with thousands of beads and dozens of jewelry pieces made with them, including earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
A case is filled with pendants that Theresa made by fusing dichroic glass in a kiln and resulting in stunning blues, greens, and shades of orange and purple that reflect light and the hues of which change, depending on what color clothing a person wears with the pendant.
‘They’re always one of a kind and very versatile,? says Mansfield. ‘They can be worn with a lot of different outfits. They’re going over very well in this area and it’s such a compliment when people like the pendants.?
Mansfield teaches a dichroic pendant class at the store, as well as several classes on bead jewelry. She notes that the use of beads is not limited to jewelry, however. She cites ink pens, keychains, curtain tiebacks and clothing weaves as some of the ways beads have been used.
Mansfield, 55, has been doing crafts for about the last 12 years, starting with making stained glass windows. She took her first bead class with a friend about three years ago.
‘I’m fascinated with glass,? she says. ‘I like being able to express my inner feelings. Anyone can do this and express themselves in their jewelry. It’s a nice feeling to make something to give as a gift or for yourself.?
Glass with Class is open 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. During their grand opening Dec. 3, they will be open from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. From Dec. 2-4, customers can enjoy 10 percent off their total purchase when using the Glass with Class ad found in the Christmas in the Village Gift Guide insert in The Citizen. Glass with Class offers free gift wrapping for Christmas and is open Christmas Eve from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. For more information, call (248) 627-2727.