April 24, 2066 Eve On Communit Delco Needleworkers Knit National News PSU Blanket-Makers Recieve Recognition | Compiled from the Delco Daily News Penn State Delco's Knittany Lion Needleworks was in the national spotlight recently when the organ- ization was mentioned in USA Weekend magazine. The Knittany Lions was among the honorees nationwide saluted for their efforts as part of USA Weekend's annual Make A Difference Day, a project aimed at inspiring altruistic acts in the community. Last October, the group's founders Laura Guertin and Diane Shorter, both on staff at PSU Delco, organ- ized more than 30 Penn State students, community members, and faculty members, to create 124 blankets for Project Linus. Project Linus is named for the Peanuts comic strip character known for his security blanket, and provides gifts to hospitalized children. The group has also made pet blankets for the Delaware County SPCA and comfort shawls for hurri- cane victims. They now are making mittens, scarves and hats for loved ones of seriously-ill children who stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. Since its founding in 2003, the Knittany Lion Needleworks has produced a total of 313 blankets for Project Linus. The Lion’s Eye Beadnik-Mania Attracting New Student Interest By JULIA HAGAAN Special to The Lion’s Eye When most students envision a typical night out in West Chester, a trip to the new bead store probably doesn't spring to mind. They might want to revise their plans. Beadniks, at 119 West Market Street, opened on March 11, and according to store owner Michael Avery, "You haven't been to a bead store until you've been to a Beadniks." The store is designed as a "destination activity experience," and the atmosphere is colorful and exotic with a strong Asian influence. Stations of beads represent differ- ent areas of the world, and the plentiful Thai décor enhances the international flavor. Avery noted that nearly everything in the store is for sale, including the decorations, bead trays, and design boards. The biggest attraction, however, is the vast assort- ment of beads, ranging from simple and bright Lucite (plas- tic) to precious stones like Amethyst, and impressive silver from the tribes of Thailand. Upon entering, customers stop at the store's "altar" to - .. Lp s 3 Fda Page 11 pick up a bead tray and clipboard to record their selections. After browsing and re-browsing through the countless options, they can bring their beads to an employee who will finish the piece for a small $3.00 "table fee," strung on the customer's material of choice (wire, leather, suede, silk etc.) Shoppers can also purchase all the materials needed for their own at-home jewelry making, but many don't know how to bead. To solve this dilemma, Beadniks will offer regular bead- ing classes for beginning and advanced students, ranging from $20 for basic classes to $200 for the Precious Metal Clay lesson. Avery, a former corporate bank manager, is fairly new to the bead business. He took a life altering trip to Martha's Vineyard last summer and met the founder of Beadniks, Sally Roesler, and her husband Craig. He was moved to leave his corporate job and start a bead franchise of his own. Avery chose a site in his hometown of West Chester, quit the corporate job in November, and prepared for the March grand opening. Avery said that the store has already been busy, with a steady flow of children, college students, and avid beaders. Beadniks offers birthday parties as well as "ladies night out” events. He added, "I guess we could have men's night out too, if they wanted to sit around and bead." The unrushed selection process is ideal for customers in search of the perfect beads to match that favorite dress, or for a personalized gift for a girlfriend, boyfriend, etc. "It's an economical way to make their own jewelry," said Avery who noted that many of the bracelets and necklaces featured in today's fashion magazines can easily be con- structed at Beadniks. "They look very much the same," he said. "It's high qual- ity at a very inexpensive price.” "The store seems like fun,"said Amy McGregor, a senior at West Chester University. "I make my own jewelry a lot." For more information on the Beadniks franchise visit http://www.beadniks.com.
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