FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Yarn and Magic Converge to Raise Funds for Arts Initiative
Reno, Nev. - July 6, 2016 - For some, the connection between yarn and magic may seem mysterious, but Laura Zander of Jimmy Beans Wool and magician Larry Wilson may have hit upon just the trick to combine the two - and create a grass-roots fundraising opportunity at the same time. Wilson, an Emmy-award winning magician, is the founder of Spellbinders, an annual series of magic shows featuring a group of internationally-known, professional magicians who perform in local libraries at no cost to the public. The event is put on in an effort to bring arts to families and young children in the area and to invite the community to get better acquainted with their nearest public library. When Wilson got in touch with Zander about sponsoring the shows, her interest was immediately piqued; with Jimmy Beans Wool's history of sponsoring local events and the arts, it seemed a good fit.
After meeting with Wilson, Zander felt strongly about supporting both Spellbinders and the organization that puts on the event - the Education Renaissance of Nevada Initiative (ERNI), an organization that promotes connecting youth with local leaders in the arts and sciences. Wilson helped found the initiative because he felt that there was a hunger in Nevada for educational experiences that are not easily accessible. "The people who live here are incredible and, given half a chance, they are capable of the most extraordinary accomplishments," said Wilson of the inspiration behind creating the ERNI.
Part of Jimmy Bean's Wool's financial success is due to the fact that the Reno-based business buys its entire inventory with cash as opposed to credit. Due to this fact, Zander didn't have substantial cash on hand to sponsor the event but came up with a creative solution. "I couldn't just write a big check, even though I wanted to," said Zander. "So, I thought we could raise the money by collaborating with [Wilson] and our vendors and sell magic kits." Wilson, who is an Emmy-nominated magician, responded enthusiastically and a unique sponsorship opportunity was born.
Wilson invented three magic tricks using yarn and filmed a tutorial on how to perform them. Jimmy Beans Wool collaborated with vendors to get yarn for the kits at a reduced cost so they could offer the kits at an affordable and accessible price. , Jimmy Beans Wool staffer, designed and donated a pattern to go with the kit. The magic kit retails for $9.99, and for each one sold, $5 goes towards Spellbinders and ERNI. Zander hopes to sell 5,000 kits in the next six months which would amount to $25,000 in donations if that goal is met. "We love collaborating," said Zander about the unique fundraising strategy. "This partnership has been so fun. It's amazing what we can do when we join forces with worthy causes. It is truly magic."
About Jimmy Beans Wool: Laura Zander aka "Jimmy" launched Jimmy Beans Wool with her husband Doug in Truckee, Calif. in 2002. The former software engineers from the San Francisco Bay Area sold coffee alongside yarn and knitting supplies in a tiny brick and mortar store (hence the Beans in the company name). The coffee side of the business faded, but the name stuck. In 2004, the company moved to Reno and currently has a 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse, 45 employees and an impressive online presence. Jimmy Beans Wool has been named one of the 500 fastest growing companies in the US by Inc. Magazine for more than 5 years running and currently does more than 8 million dollars in sales annually. Zander has been featured in Forbes and Octane Magazine and written several books. She has been invited to the White House, given a TED talk, taught celebrities how to knit at the Emmys and been invited to speak at Facebook. Jimmy Beans Wool strives to inspire their customers, vendors and employees to care, connect and create so that the industry, the craft and the business can continue to flourish and grow. For more information, visit JimmyBeansWool.com.
About Spellbinders: SPELLBINDERS, the International Festival of Magic, returns to Reno, October 14 - 16, 2016, bringing gold medal winning Champions of Magic from all over the world to perform in Washoe County libraries and the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. All performances are free to the public. Last year drew over 3,000 people to the festival. Learn more at SpellbindersFestival.com. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Education Renaissance of Nevada Initiative is responsible for putting on SPELLBINDERS. ERNI is committed to bringing arts and education to Northern Nevada for FREE. You can read all about them here: http://nevadashines.org/projects.html.
###