If you walk into Jade Mountain, the new bead shop located at 817 E. Johnson Street, and think to yourself that these faces look mighty familiar, you'd be correct! Ramsey Finger and Ellyn Zografi opened their first business, Blue Bead, a couple of doors down (where Aardvark currently is) back in 1992.

They were in business at that location until 1995 when they relocated to Monroe Street to consolidate two stores. After a couple of years on Monroe Street they experienced burnout and moved to Arizona where Ramsey studied history.

But the lure of friends and family in the Madison area brought them back this spring. They weren't planning on opening another bead shop because they had sold the Blue Bead store to somebody else who had moved it to Winnebago Street. But that store closed this spring, so Ramsey and Ellyn jumped at the opportunity to get back into the bead business.

They chose the current location (where Whole Earth and Flashback used to be) because they know the neighborhood and many residents from their previous business. Ramsey commented that he is pleased at the new look of E. Johnson Street, from the street improvements to the new stores.

If you haven't been in the store, you are missing a real treat. There is a fresh open look to the store from the newly painted walls to the aesthetically pleasing display of the merchandise.

Hundreds of different kinds of beads are available along with bead paraphernalia. They have a special interest in antique and ethnic beads. Ramsey and Ellyn plan on carrying more finished jewelry than what they had in their previous stores.

Classes are offered along with free monthly workshops.

Store hours are Monday-Friday from 10-6 and Saturday 10-5. The phone number is 256-5233.

-Bob Shaw