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Times Advocate, 1991-06-12, Page 5Times -Advocate, June 12, 1991 Craft enthusiast opens own store By Rhonda Vandeworp CREDITON "Making crafts is just in some people and not m others," ex - tains Marcie i, who after years of smocking and sewing dresses for her daughters, and teaching ceramics and porcelain doll making in her home, has finally opened up her own craft store in Crediton. Marziali first acquired an inter- est in sewing, smocking and other handiwork through her involve- ment in 4-H. As the years have passed, she has continued to ex- periment with new and interesting craft ideas. Three years ago she was given the opportunity to purchase a kiln for fain? ceramic greenware. Be- cause this art form appealed to her so much, she began offering ce- ramic classes in her basement to other interested people. In conjunction with her ceramic course, Mali decided to teach classes in porcelain doll making. Almost one month ago, Marziali gathered up a variety of children's wear, stuffed novelty items, porce- lain dolls, and ceramic gifts which she had made, and opened up Country Ceramics and Gifts in Cre- diton. In addition to her own homemade items, Marziali is introducing the works of other local craft enthu- siasts. Some examples of their creations include tole painting on wood, quilting, and silk flower ar- rangements. Marziali also encourages other craft enthusiasts to create their own items. Therefore, Country Ceram- ics and Gifts will soon be fully stocked with a variety of craft sup- plies - ribbon and lace, fiber -fill, fabric, cross stitch and smocking supplies, paints, and fired and non - fired ceramic pieces. Although she is still expanding in this area, Mar- ziali expects that they will soon be able to cater to most craft needs. "There is little in this area in re- gards to craft supplies, so I hope that it catches on, Marziali said. Marziali has not abandoned her ceramic classes or her porcelain doll seminars. For those people in- terested in making their own Sun Buddy - Melinda Tomol demonstrates the Sun Buddy, a device London entrepreneur John Brinkman (right) believes could become an essential item in every beach bag. London entrepreneur develops new product for sun worshippers GRAND BEND - Behind the clever marketing slogan "Every- body needs Sun Buddy sometime" lies John Brinkman's expectation that a relatively simple device will eventually become an essential item in beach bags and bathrooms everywhere. The London entrepreneur, who used to work for Big '0 in Exeter, envisions a bright future for his product that is now appearing on shelves at Grand Bend stores and Big V drug stores. A soft foam roller at the end of a handle allows a person to apply suntan lotion or moisturizers to those hard to reach places on their backs. It keeps your hands clean and then encloses the roller in a "clamshell" design to keep sand out and lotion away from clothes or towels. Brinkman, after discovering an American inventor had already pat- ented the idea, bought the rights to it and began manufacturing it in In- gersoll. After about a year getting marketing in place, Brinkman now faces the challenge of getting it onto store shelves. An identical companion product, dubbed the Lotion Mate, will be aimed at the medical market where it has already received positive comments from organizations such as the Arthritis Society who see it as an aid for those who normally find it awkward, painful, or impos- sible to apply lotions and oint- ments. Brinkman says his company, Au- rora Sun of London, has seen dis- tributors line up for the products from as far as Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and of course, the United States. "It's one thing to have distributors and another to have them going into outlets," observed Brinkman. At the moment, Brinkman is do- ing it all by himself: manufactur- ing, advertising, marketing, and packaging. He says that while the Sun Buddy has worldwide poten- tial, the Ontario market will have to be captured first. With exposure in stores in resorts such as Grand Bend, Brinkman sees this as just the beginning. Brinkman said some are sur- prised he manufactures his product in Canada, and doesn't have it made in somewhere like Taiwan. He points out that while mass manu- facturing is cheaper in the far east, tooling costs are much higher. With a fledgling product, Brinkman explained the(Mande in Canada" option was much more sensible. However, if indications that the Eastern European market might be interacted in his products, Brink- man concedes he may have to set up a marketing agreement for somewhere like Czechoslovakia. While the Sun Buddy retails for about SIO in Canada, that repre- sents about two days wages fot Second World workers. Despite planning to change forev- er the way people apply suntan lo- tion, Brinkman said he doesn't see his Sim Buddy doing away with the A more "social" aspects of applying lotions. His product is only for when there's no one else around willing to help out. Page 5 Craft shop opens - Marcie Marziali, owner of Country Ceramics and Gifts, displays two favourite items of customers - porcelain dolls and the ceramic granny and grandpa figures. Christmas or birthday gifts this year, a course in ceramics is taught every Monday night, and porcelain doll seminars are offered three or four times a year. 23agsrin z-viT ©Ea Tv 1 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS "1s Yer Fone' Number'Not' Kurently Listed or Listed Inkurectlyr' Due to overwhelming response... once again this year we will be pub- lishing the Exeter and Area Phone Book. it is our Intention to publish a Telephone Listing as correct and current as possible. So, if your business or home phone number is not listed or Is Incorrect, we will be happy to add or correct your number. Just.. Complete the handy coupon below and make sure it is at our office no later than Friday, June 14 Clip and Bring to Times Advocate by June 14 ❑ New listing Name Address Phone Please Change U If listed previously please clip old incorrect listing and attach here. We will delete it. ATTENTION BUSINESSES If you have not been contacted for advertising space in our book please call Jim Beckett i ►'S fit, -, �-, WATCH FOR IT... Your personal copy coming soon! Z35-1331 ere , 40114 • Kime, Mil/s, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Daniel B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. Manage, 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 Exeter, Ontario MOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-2235 • John A.M. 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