10% Website sales until November 30th will be donated to South Jersy Pagan Pride.
WizardsTower - A Condensed History
WizardsTower was born in 2006 as a jewelry craft business, at the height of the beading craze and everyone was making jewelry. During this time, mainstream - or "muggle" - craft shows were heavily weighted in favor of beaders and jewelers. At more than one of shows, the number of jewelry vendors outnumbered all the other vendors combined.
We realized other problems, after a few mainstream craft shows and lackluster sales. There was a wide range of quality, as well as price....and price and quality didn't necessarily equate. While we were confident with both our quality and pricing, our biggest obstacle was how do we stand out among the sea of competition.
So the transformation began. We concentrated on our original jewelry designs and the pieces we liked making. In addition, Jim created Pride jewelry and more elegant, dressy necklaces; while Kevin created more masculine designs. A bigger change came when we diversified our products. Kevin refined his woodcarving skills and began making spoons. Jim began using all the fabric he had been collecting for years by making shawls and capes.
The biggest transformational change, however, came in September 2007. We were scheduled for a 2-day mainstream craft show that had to be postponed to the following weekend, the raindate. This presented us with a dilemma; we were already scheduled for two separate Pagan events....our first....that weekend. We had to decide which show or shows to cancel.
Having to make a quick decision for logistical reasons, we chose to do something unexpected. We decided to split the inventory and do all 3 events, though they were in 3 different states. Jim would do the local 2-day muggle craft show; Kevin would be the road warrior and travel to each out-of-state Pagan event. The Universe had something to prove to us....and it would change the direction of our business, revealing our true purpose.
At the end of the weekend, sales were totaled for all 3 events. Sales for the Pagan events outpaced the muggle craft show by almost 2-to-1. After careful consideration, we decided to focus more on Pagan/Wiccan events going forward.
With our vision in sharper focus, over the next year, WizardsTower completed the transformation into what it is today; specialists to the Magickal and Ritual Practitioner. It has also opened other doors we never dreamed of....and we haven't looked back
Blessed Be!
Kevin's Story
Kevin has always made things out of wood....decks, pergolas, gazebos and furniture like entertainment centers, toy boxes and hope chests. He made Jim's altar from Red Oak and makes all of the wood business displays and necklace forms. But it was a chili party, 17 years ago, that inspired him to go in another direction.
A chili served at that party was served with a wooden scoop. It impressed Kevin so much that he picked it up, examining it from every angle. He knew he wanted to make it! Using only a hammer and an old, rusty spoon gouge he inherited from his grandfather, the first one took four nights to make. And it grew from there.
First he was making gifts for friends, then he got some wind-fallen pear wood and had to make it into something. Kevin read a book on spoon carving and acquired more tools....new tools. But mostly Kevin learned from trial and error....plenty of error. Friends and acquaintances were offering wood from storm ravaged trees and their prunings.
As WizardsTower was transforming into what it is today, Kevin saw a need and began to fill it by bringing Magick Wands to the community. Each wood with specific magickal properties; each wand unique. The response has been overwhelming....and humbling. But these wands are not just being used for ritual. Some are being used as conductor batons and teacher's pointers.
Kevin still makes the original inspirational piece, he now calls the Alpha Scoop. In addition to spoons, Kevin make other household helpers from toaster tongs and coffee scoops to sock darning eggs and crochet hooks. He has created over 5000 pieces, some of which are in England, Spain, France, Guam and Indonesia. Kevin has also created over 1100 magick wands. With over 50 species of wood, Kevin continues designing new wooden ritual tools to bring to the community.
Jim's Story
Growing up, Jim learned two skills from his mother that would guide and shape the rest of his life. The first was when, at age 14, he wanted to be a vampire for Halloween. She taught him to sew, making his own cape for the costume. The second skill he learned was the art/pleasure of treasure hunting at yard sales, thrift stores, etc. The pleasure comes from finding just the right thing....even if you don't know why it's perfect.
For 20 years, Jim collected any fabric he could find at yard sales and re-sale shops, through he didn't know why. He didn't even own a sewing machine. Jim bought his first sewing machine in 1994 for $15 at a thrift store. It was a mid-1950s Singer in a cabinet, similar to the one he learned to sew on 20 years earlier.
Still not realizing his destiny, he perfected his sewing skills by making various costumes for himself. He even taught his mom a thing or two. The turning point for Jim came in 1998 when he started making Wizard robes for friends as gifts. This led to the discovery of his true path and connecting with the Pagan/Wiccan community.
Jim still collects fabrics, and household linens, he comes across at places like re-sale shops. If it speaks to him, he usually takes it home. He takes particular pleasure in finding vintage fabrics and linens. Jim considers himself to be an instrument and servant of the Muses and the creative energy of the Universe. Jim's pleasure comes from seeing the joy his unique garments and accessories bring to the community.