Staff writer
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Besides her new downtown business "Ma's Magic," which gives people a place to play role playing games like Magic: the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, miniatures, and even Pirates, McConnell has other irons in the fire, as well.
She will be expanding and diversifying her selection when she debuts the second part of her business called Two Scents Worth.
"There will be something for everyone by the time we are finished," she said.
This second business will feature handmade items like incense, handmade fragrance options and also woodworking, etched glass, tye dye, and fantasy figurines.
To accomplish this, she will soon be installing her own candle kitchen complete with her own molds, colors, fragrances and glassware.
McConnell makes traditional paraffin-based candles even though they are made of petroleum and put out carcinogens, but will spotlight her handmade candles made from natural components like soy, palm and bee wax.
Both businesses will evolve and grow from her clients' interests, she said, and at Ma's Magic there has already been a request to add dominoes, which she is open to.
As for the age appropriate game playing, McConnell encourages parents to come in and see for themselves.
When people play these sort of interactive games, "there is intelligent conversation going on," she said.
At Ma's Magic, McConnell is "Ma," but Bonzo the cockatiel, also known as Bird, is "Ma's Magic Mascot," said McConnell.
Everyone who enters and leaves must say hello and good bye to the cockatiel or else the poor thing goes nuts, she said.
Otherwise, he watches carefully from his perch at all the goings on.
Big plans are afoot for the little stores. McConnell has plans to have a live band during Pufferbilly Days, for instance.
She is also planning a grand opening on April 15 called "Planar Chaos Tax Day Booster Draft." Planar Chaos, she said is the latest campaign in Magic: the Gathering. The stores will be free at noon with free food and will be free to attend until the day of the event, then it will cost $3 cover to the gaming room.
She's planning another tournament on May 4.
"We try to cater to any gamer that'll come through the door," she said.
Mary Catlett can be reached at mcatlett@newsrepublican.com.
