A new shop that gives customers a chance to make their own jewelry has opened in Smithfield.

Allen and Cindy White have opened Cindale Beads, which carries more than 100 different kinds of gemstones and tools to make jewelry. The Whites opened the business in Harper’s Flea Market a few years ago before finding a storefront.

“Our philosophy is pretty simple,” Allen said. “We don’t have customers. We have friends who visit. We have people who stop by just to say hello or show us something they have made.”

Also, the Whites offer free beading classes. Students pay only for their materials. “We have two rules,” Allen said. “Rule number one is no grumpies. You have to be ready to have a good time, and we hope you will. We will do the best to ensure you do. Rule number two is you can’t be late to class.”

Cindale Beads is at Suite B, 150 S. Equity Dr. in Smithfield. It is open from 10 a.m. till 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. Sundays. For additional details, call 934-2900 or go to www.cindale.com.

Bookstore adds bakery

Also in Smithfield, Becky and Chris Kinkade have opened a bakery inside their Smithfield bookstore. The Kinkades own Orchard House Booksellers, which sells books, the Sunday edition of The New York Times and Washington Post and other gift items.

Originally, another woman was going to open a bakery inside the bookstore, but plans fell through. The Kinkades are offering the sweet treats, including fresh baked muffins, chocolate chip cookies, cookie bars and a variety of cakes and pies. Also, the bakery carries 13 flavors of Hershey’s ice cream. Other menu items include milkshakes, smoothies and specialty coffees.

Orchard House Booksellers is at 117 N. 3rd St. Hours are from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information, call 938-1511.

Cakes in Clayton

David Brees does not make typical cakes.

“I have always been very artistic and done ceramics and sculpture,” he said.

“You name it, I’ve done it. I always liked to bake too. This is going to sound really crazy, but have you ever seen that show, ‘Ace of Cakes’? I never thought about it as a living until a few years ago when I saw that show.”

“Ace of Cakes,” a Food Network series, follows the staff at Charm City Cakes in Maryland. The staff is known for its wild and wacky cake creations.

Brees wants to be known for the same with his new home-based business, Piece of Cake, in Clayton. Brees has created cakes that looked like cases of beer, tombstones, horse saddles, margarita glasses and many other unique fixtures. He also makes a variety of cupcakes and cupcake bouqets.

“This is my background in architecture,” Brees said.

“It is almost like I am building something that is going to be eaten. There is a lot of trust and it’s amazing because people have no idea what they are getting.”

To learn more about Piece of Cake, call 261-6099 or visit www.pieceofcakescakes.com.