Instead of putting hash marks on a cell wall, Donald Schlittenhardt counts his time in the state penitentiary bead by bead.

Schlittenhardt has strung together thousands of tiny beads to create bracelets, necklaces, ornaments, doilies and other trinkets.

Schlittenhardt's time making beaded creations is time well spent, considering where he is. Today he will make more money than he does in one month doing his regular prison job.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the prison is allowing inmates to sell their arts and crafts to the public.

Schlittenhardt is one of 15 to 20 inmates involved in the project.

"It's a good opportunity for the public to see what we're doing out here," Schlittenhardt said.

Inmate Scott Heggenstein has created several leather wallets, purses, checkbooks and key rings to sell today. He does all of the leather work. The intricate details of the leather products he sells are all done by hand, unlike some leather wallets that have designs stamped out.

Heggenstein has even sold his wallets to guards who still use them after more than a decade.

"One dropped a wallet in Lake Sakakawea and it still looks good," Heggenstein said.

The leather products carry designs with sports teams, flowers, cars and wildlife.

Heggenstein said he can make just about any design on a wallet.

"All they have to do is send me a picture of what it looks like and I'll put it on there," he said.

Other items for sale include paintings and American Indian crafts.

Schlittenhardt said half the fun of being able to sell his creations is making deals with customers.

His pieces start at about $5, but he will offer two-for-one sales, freebies and discounts.

"I'm a nickel-and-dimer," Schlittenhardt said. "I love to dicker."

Selling just one item at $5 is more than double what he makes in a day at his regular prison job in the gym.

The materials are all purchased by the inmates, and the inmates involved in the project get to keep all of the money they make today.

Twenty-five percent of the profits are put into an account for the inmates to use once they are released and the rest they can spend.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 250-8264 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)