BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

	Wilson/BoroOnline.com
	That's Cecil Plouse in the middle ground of the picture. In the foreground is a handcarved dragon from Indonesia. Then if you look closely beneath that dragon's chin and above its hand, and just to the left of Cecil's arm (his right one, not the left one), you'll see another dragon. This one is made of sawdust compressed and molded into shape and perched on a teak base. It comes from Thailand. There's a lot more stuff at this store, too. (Posted: Feb. 26)
	Business of the week MacMorgan’s Jewelry & Oddities lives up to name By Brittany Kemp/BoroOnline.com EDINBORO -- Upon stepping into MacMorgan’s Jewelry & Oddities, it is clear that one has left Edinboro and entered another universe. The store, nestled into 127 Erie St., offers eclectic items from all over the world, as well as jewelry made in the store. “There’s oddities, but it’s mostly a jewelry store. I make it. I fix it,” owner Cecil Plouse explained as to what exactly he is in the business of doing from the back of the store, where he does most of his work. His specialty is medieval metalsmithing. Plouse is in his sixth year of running his unique shop. A graduate of both Edinboro University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he got his start making and selling jewelry long before MacMorgan’s even opened. “It started at a medieval show society,” he said about the origins of his business, which he now makes a living from. That would be the SCA, or the Society for Creative Anachronism, which holds the annual Pennsic War down near Butler. At the Pennsic War, Plouse would sell his wares. His popularity there grew and grew until finally he realized that he had the funds and means to open his own store. Plouse set up shop right here in Edinboro in 2000. On the way to where he is today, Plouse earned degrees – a BFA from IUP in 1984, then an MFA in 1989 from Edinboro. In addition to attending those schools, he traveled to Florence, Italy, for his graduate program to study at the Bohman Technical Institute. For the next few years, Plouse taught around and returned to the area to work for Dahlkemper’s and Ralph Miller in the 1990s. He stayed in the area, leading to MacMorgan’s opening right here in Edinboro. The store covers lots of things you wouldn’t find at your normal everyday Zale’s, from dinosaur teeth to statues of Buddha to medieval armor, as well as the traditional jewelry wares. Plouse gets his items from dealers all over the country, even some internationally. Plouse added that his craft is not only how he makes a living but a hobby as well. To anyone who has yet to explore the wonders of MacMorgan’s, you can stop by Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call (814) 734-5880. this was a terrifying experience.