The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, October 22, 1981, Image 19

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Shoes run into an investment
By Johna Jo Maurer
Battalion Reporter
When you make an invest
ment of $20 to $100 for a new
pair of running shoes, be sure
you make the right choice.
To pick out the right shoe,
consider how far you run, the
surface you run on and the way
you run, said Terry Court, man
ager of The Locker Room in
Bryan. These factors affect the
durability of your shoes, he
said.
“If someone plans to run
more than a couple of miles, a
shoe in the $30 range is best,"
said Rick Gorzycki, manager of
Wyatt's Sporting Goods. Shoes
in this price range will have bet
ter cushion and overall support
to absorb more shock when you
run on a hard surface, he said.
Runners with knee or ankle
problems need shoes with more
padding on the bottom, said
Mark Hawkins, assistant mana
ger of The Sportsman's Den. He
said a heavier runner needs a
different shoe than does a light
er runner.
Hawkins said buyers at his
store usually choose running
shoes by brand, and they most
often ask for Nike.
Nike is the first choice of run
ning shoe buyers at both
Wyatt's and The Locker Room,
too. Adidas and Brooks are also
big sellers.
Gorzycki said Nike's advertis
ing really helps its sales. People
see actors and athletes on TV
wearing Nikes and they want
that kind of shoe, too.
Court said the prices of the
various brands are justified by
the quality of the shoe.
He said his store carries a
New Balance shoe costing
$72.95; this American manufac
turer also makes a $100 running
shoe. The lightweight quality
and materials used are the
reason for the higher prices.
Court said.
Nikes are priced from $21 to
$60.
Buyers on a budget some
times want a multi-purpose
shoe, but with the greater spe
cialization in athletic shoes, it's
harder to find a versatile shoe
today, Court said.
If a shoe buyer tries on a less-
expensive brand and then tries
on a higher-priced one, the dif
ference can be felt, Gorzycki
said.
Hawkins said that Autry
makes a less expensive shoe that
is just as good as a more costly
one; Autry just isn't a well-
known name.
Different brands of running
shoes vary not only in price but
also in type of sole. Some have
waffle bottoms, some have
smoother ones.
Waffle bottoms are designed
to absorb some of the shock
taken by the feet and legs while
running.
Gorzycki said shoe manufac
turers are moving away from
waffle bottoms back to the flatter
type soles.
People select running shoes
by color, too. Maroon is popular
in College Station, but Court
said it isn't as popular this year
as last.
Other colors popular with
running shoe buyers are white-
on-white, blue-on-white, com
binations of blues, and gray-on-
maroon.
Running shoes also are
chosen for leisure purposes.
“The running bonanza is over
now and it's the big thing to
wear tennis shoes for everyday
use," Court said.
Wyatt 7 s manager said shoes
made for running don't wear too
well when used tor other sports,
however.
Although Nike may be the
most popular brand of running
shoe now. Court said people are
always looking for something
different. “They are always
ready to try something else and
when they read about a new
shoe, they want to try it."
Making a necklace piece by piece
Add creativity with add-a-beads
By Mary Jo Rummel
Battalion Reporter
What are shiny, round and
adding up as fast as the enroll
ment at Texas A&M University?
Add-a-beads.
Add-a-beads are small beads
that can be bought individually
and added onto a necklace chain
in any number or combination.
Although the smooth 14-
karat gold beads are the most
popular, textured gold beads,
pearls and beads of jade, lapis,
amethyst, tiger's eye and other
semiprecious stones are avail
able.
Gold beads range in size from
three to 12 millimeters, and four
to seven millimeters are the
most popular. Karen Parlin of J.
C. Penney's jewelry department
said stones are usually seven or
eight millimeters.
“Some people organize beads
in graduated sizes but others
prefer to stick with one size,"
said Manager David Gardner of
the Diamond Room in College
Station.
"Some people aim at filling
the whole strand, but other peo
ple prefer just a few," Parlin
said. It takes about 75 beads to
completely fill an 18-inch chain.
About 50 percent of the add-
a-beads sold are bought as gifts
for special occasions such as
birthdays and anniversaries.
The add-a-beads are a relatively
inexpensive way of giving a gift
of 14-karat gold, Gardner said.
“It is hard to buy for some
ladies," said Barney Mauro of
the Jewelry Store in Bryan,
“And the beads are a good gift
for special occasions.
"After the initial investment
of the chain and starter beads,
buyers can watch for sales and
add on whenever they can."
Prices of beads range from
under a $1 for the three milli
meter beads to $160 for a ten
millimeter bead set with a 10
point diamond.
Seven millimeter beads
usually cost about $4 to $6. The
prices for stones range from
$1.50 to $17.50, depending on
the size and rarity of the stone.
“Our average sale is about
$10 to $15," Gardner said. He
added purchases of up to $500
have been made.
Buying beads and building
your own necklace costs about
the same as buying a ready
made necklace, Mauro said. The
key to the popularity of the
beads is the individual can pick
and design her own jewelry
with different types.
Serpentine, rope and loose-
linked chains of 16 and 18 inches
are most popular for the bead
necklaces, Parlin said. The most
popular starting kit usually con
tains three beads.
The gold beads have been
around for about two years but
the popularity of the beads
“took off like gang-busters" last
Christmas, Gardner said.
About six years ago add-a-
pearls were introduced, so this
is really the second time around
for the adding idea, said Debbie
Reichert of Lindsey's Jewelers.
Gardner said the add-a-bead
idea has "potential for staying
around for a while" because of
the trend of more conservative
designs in jewelry, but no one
can guarantee a fashion trend
will "stay."
Add-a-beads are definitely
"in" and adding up to fashion.
10% Discount With Current Student l.D.
• Classes — Beginners & Advanced
• Latest in equipment, supplies & techniques
• Quantity discounts to qualifying non-profit organiza
tions
• Now accepting local finished crafts and art for exhibits
& sale
• Complete stained glass department
3601 E. 29th St v Bryan, 846-8103
OPEN MON.-FRI. 10-6
VJe offer a full variety of mixed
drinks, domestic and imported
beers, and a menu of
sandwiches, salads,
steaks and oysters.
NOW OPEN SUNDAY
5 p.m.-ll p.m.
woodstone commerce
--■■■■■ ■ center ^—
on hwy. 30