Beyond Ordinary Gifts for the Holidays

By Karen Fetter
 
Would you like to go beyond ordinary when you shop?  Do you like finding unique gifts for family and friends?  If so, then the place for you is Cia's, a gallery of fine jewelry, gifts, and art.  Cia's (pronounced 'cee az') is a new retailer located in the Irwin Plaza on Route 30, approximately ' mile west of the PA Turnpike at Irwin.  Be the talk of the town with items from Cia's.
 
Custom Jewelry and Unique Designs

Cia's upscale gallery has fine jewelry including gold, diamonds, gems, and silver along with trendy imported designs and beaded styles that compliment all budgets.  Recently, the gallery has added more silver pieces and imported pieces from Morocco.  In addition, the gallery carries items from local jewelry artist Mary Beth Carlson that incorporate washed up gems (beach glass). 
 
The gallery offers limited edition jewelry designs that are handmade so no one person will ever have the same piece.  Jewelry designer Anthony Mock can customize any piece of jewelry as well as redesign dated jewelry into new keepsakes.
 
'We tried to pick things unique to the market and currently are exploring other finds,' said co-owner Maria Brady.  Maria along with husband Ed and best friends Allan and Cindy Carr are the owners of the Gallery.
 
Original Paintings, Hand-Made Accessories, Designer Handbags
So much of what Cia's offers is unique and that is what makes the store so different from others.  In addition to jewelry, the gallery also offers a wide range of art pieces.  You'll find original oil and watercolor paintings.  Among the more unusual offerings are works by local dentist Dr. William Benedetti that are created using a dental medium.  Dr. Benedetti truly has a style all his own.
 
Also showcased in the gallery are handcrafted glass sculptures and hand-painted silk scarves.   Cheryl Kirsch is the artist that hand paints scarves, cards, and accessories.  One piece in particular that draws attention is the Protection Psalm painted onto a pillowcase. 
 
Cia's is also an exclusive retailer in the Irwin area for the decorative Mary Frances Handbag collection.  These handbags are exquisite and never go unnoticed.  Looking for a gift?  Cia's offers Bulova clocks and watches, Asfour and Swarovski crystal items, Waterford accessories, jewelry boxes, personalized gifts, and corporate/logo gifts. 
 
Take the time to stop in Cia's because you will not only find unique, well-designed jewelry, artwork, and gifts, you'll make new friends with the personable owners and staff.  The gallery is typically open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 '5 p.m., Thursday from 10 ' 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 ' 4 p.m.  Look for extended holiday hours.  Gift certificates are available. For more information contact 724-864-9828 or visit www.ciasgallery.com.

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A Store of Friendship

As appealing as the store inventory is the tale of how the store was created.  It's not too often that you hear a story about great friends whose journey through life brings them into business together.  However, the story behind the strong relationships of Maria, Ed, Allan, and Cindy goes back to high school.  Ed and Maria met while they attended Serra Catholic High School.  Allan and Cindy both attended McKeesport High School.  After graduation, Ed and Maria went to Penn State University together and started dating.  Allan and Cindy parted ways, but Allan always stayed connected with Ed and Maria.  In fact, the Brady's are godparents to Allan's youngest son and Allan is the godfather to the Brady's youngest daughter.  Fate decided to step in and bring Allan and Cindy back together over a year ago and they recently got married. 
 
This coincided with Ed and Maria's idea of taking over the Direct Jewelry Outlet store that was being retired by Max and Shirley Sandala.
 
It was during a visit to the store to buy earrings for her daughter Rachael that Maria learned of the new business opportunity.
 
Ed and Maria currently own a full-service advertising agency, Marakae Marketing, Inc. (www.marakae.biz) and thought that buying the store would be a great opportunity for a storefront for their business, in addition to expanding the inventory of the jewelry store.  Despite some roadblocks at the beginning, the Brady's knew it was meant to be when the offer to buy the business came through.   
 
Immediately, the Brady's looked to the Carr's for a joint venture so all of their talents could be combined to help make the store a success.  The friends took over the store March 16, 2007 and within just a few weeks were able to perform all the renovations and open the doors to Cia's Gallery.   This accomplishment was achieved even when three of the four partners were working full-time.  And because everything is a combined effort, the name is combination of Cindy's and Maria's names creating Cia's.
 
'It's been very rewarding working with friends because we share the same values and we also enjoy promoting the talents of local artists.  We can fulfill the needs of multiple budgets and tastes,' said Cindy.
 
For more information contact 724-864-9828 or visit www.ciasgallery.com.   The gallery is typically open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 '5 p.m., Thursday from 10 ' 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 ' 4 p.m.  Look for extended holiday hours.  Gift certificates are available.