In Studio City, CA
Lani Silver's wholesale design company, Lani Enterprises,
is represented in most of the needlepoint stores in the U.S.,
but she has also operated a retail shop for 23 of the 25 years
that she has been in the needlepoint designing business. Her
enthusiasm, even after all this time, remains unflagging. She
hastens to add, "It is an exciting place, where I teach
classes and interact with all the great stitchers that come by."
Snowmen
The store, named Lani's Needlepoint, is located mere minutes
away from Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Disney, and CBS
Studio Center and NBC. In fact, that is why the town was originally
named Studio City. Lani adds, "My clientele is about half
Industry people, which is very interesting in itself." Lani
was herself born in Studio City.
Panorama of Shop Interior
When Lani first opened her shop, her customers were mainly
housewives and grandmothers who just needed something to help
them pass the hours. They were happy just to stitch with Paternayan
Persian Yarn or DMC Cottons. That has changed, as Lani points
out, "Today, after many metamorphosis of personalities,
I have a lot of young women who are professionals, looking for
a form of stress release, a lot more men, and still there are
mothers/housewives/grandmothers, but they are no longer interested
in just passing time; they are highly motivated to learn decorative
stitches, use exotic fibers, and treat their stitching as an
art form, not a hobby. Needlepoint for me has become about the
same thing. We have a quality of stitching and use of the imagination
coming out of our store that has far exceeded any of my expectations."
Birdhouse Wall
Lani's Needlepoint is a full service needlepoint store (and
website) offering the finest in handpainted needlepoint designs
and fibers. Within lies a feast for the senses and Lani rightfully
exclaims, "My store is really an eye-FULL of eye candy." Featured are Lani's own original designs along with a myriad
of other fabulous designers: Melissa Shirley, Barbara Elmore,
Liz - Tapestry Tent, Janice Gaynor, Ewe and Eye, JP Needepoint
(Juli Poitras), Amy Bunger, Kathryn Molineaux, Maggie and Company,
Marci, Danae, Associated Talents, The Artist's Collection, Valentina
Heishman and Lee and many others. These designs encompass a broad
spectrum of styles, themes and motifs including Boudoir, Oriental,
Halloween, Christmas, Judaica, Sayings, Florals, Babies and Kids,
Stars and Hearts, Vintage, Country, Whimsicals, and Animals.
Santa Ornament
One of Lani's Newest Designs
Lani and her staff are always eager to fully yarn any customer's
canvas selection and provide a yarn key. Also offered are stitch
guides for more advanced stitchers. There are two options available
to customers when purchasing a canvas. Lani and her staff will
write a complimentary yarn guide for any canvas that they pull
the fibers for. This key shows where each yarn is to go, assuming
that a tent (continental or basketweave stitch) is employed.
They take great pains to take all the customers preferences about
the type of yarn preferred into consideration. For decorative
stitches, Lani will write a complete stitch guide with full instructions
describing the fibers, number of plys to use, placement of the
stitch, and a graphed diagram for that stitch, plus any helpful
hints. Partial guides are also available.
Class in Progress
Upon completion, stitchers are invited to send their piece
back to Lani's to take advantage of the shop's superb finishing
services. Lani explains, "We do every imaginable type of
needlepoint finishing - from pillows and picture framing to Christmas
ornaments to purses, tote bags, and belts and accessories. We
are happy to quote you a price or talk to you about your special
project. We have spent many years developing our own special
types of finishing with a unique flair." Lani's professional
expertise and imagination are apparent in each project they complete.
She and her staff will gladly consult with you for a truly unique
finished product.
Stitched Model Display
The shop carries an impressive array of stitch books. Lani
notes, "One of the most important tools I own is my library
of needlepoint stitch books. The wealth of inspiration is available
to me at a moments notice. I have compiled a list of my favorite
titles for all to enjoy and collect." Included in her favorites
are such classics as Glorious Needlepoint by Kaffe Fassett,
whose magnificent book features his needlepoint designs as well
as his inspirations for those designs. Another is The Needlepoint
Book by Jo Ippolito Christiansen, fondly known to Lani and
experienced needlepointers as "THE BIBLE" of needlepoint
stitches. This is the newly revised version of a 25-year old
book that is essential for all beginners to learn to do decorative
stitches.
Heart
Also stocked at Lani's Needlepoint are needlework accessories
- the most useful and fun items in the industry. Lani elaborates,
"The JB Tote and other accessories are our all time favorites.
We are offering four of a myriad of designs that Janet Fenton
of JB Designs has developed. They are made of a very high quality
of quilted 100% cotton and are quite habit-forming because the
fabrics are so wonderful."
There's even more good news. Lani confides, "If you aren't
a stitcher and you would love to have one of our designs made
for you - OR - if you are a stitcher, and have a million unfinished
canvases sitting in a closet and have dreamed of getting them
done - WE CAN DO IT FOR YOU!!!! Our stitching service is fast
and very, very good, so choose a design from us, or dig out those
old pieces!"
Baby Sleeping
Classes are held on a regular basis. You can choose from a
super-convenient and versatile drop-in class with Kathi Murphy
to a series of sessions with Lani, stretching over a period of
five weeks. Once a month, Lani teaches 4-hour class on Saturdays.
Lani adds, "This is a great opportunity for all of you who
work during the week to catch a class." Every so often,
Lani holds great trunk shows featuring the finest designers in
the country and guest teachers invited to give special classes
and workshops. The shop also offers innovative children's classes.
Lani elaborates, "The most amazing work has been coming
from my children's classes. The kids are not working on simple
designs with large holes any more. They prefer more sophisticated
designs with the better fibers (the all time favorite is the
Caron Rachelette!!) and they push the limits of their abilities
to turn out work that rivals that of the adults."
Sir St. Bernard
Lani's son, Shane, though only 9 years old, not only stitches,
but also designs his own canvases. Lani chimes in, "He used
to sit on my lap when he was little and watch me design canvases.
He has even given me ideas. Now he wants to do some on his own.
We shall see!" Lani hastens to add, "Children are our
future."
For a previous designer profile on Lani Silver go to:
http://www.caron-net.com/sep01files/sep01des.html
Lani's Needlepoint
12416 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: (818) 769- 2431
Fax: (818) 905-5264
Hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday
E mail: idzynm@aol.com or
lanisneedlepoint@aol.com
Website: http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com
For Lani's Shopping Cart go to:
http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/index2.html
