Though she still enjoys painting and ceramics, Orna's free time is constantly dwindling. Her solution is to combine her other interests with her design work, as in embellishing a table runner with her own handmade polymer clay beads. In designing kits for her designs, Orna placed much emphasis on combining graphic beauty with a sense of fun in the presentation to get the stitcher's creative juices flowing and give added incentive to complete the project. Besides including canvas, fibers, detailed instructions, and pre-cut UltraSuede, the kits feature a specially laminated chart on which stitchers can make their own notations and the chart itself is printed in color, becoming a work of art on its own. Middle Eastern pottery, fabrics, mosaics, tiles and symbols, a vast library of designer books and her stunning collection of blown glass art pieces provide plentiful design inspiration.
Color remains an endlessly intriguing element.
The Caron threads, with their endless array of colors, textures and variegations have been enormously influential. In designing, Orna proceeds from mental imagery directly to canvas. Although a relative newcomer to needlepoint design, Orna has already made an impact. In the Jan.1999 issue of Stitchery Magazine, Orna's life, designs and exclusive pattern, Lori, were featured. Reader response was so positive that in July they spotlighted her design, Shabbat Shalom.