Passion, exuberance and knowledge flow from Liz Tekus, owner of Fine Points yarn and clothing boutique on Larchmere Blvd., as she illustrates her world of knitting. A knitting-lover's candy store, her festive shop is akin to a petting zoo of visually and tactilely handsome, supple, sumptuous textures. The exotic, colorful, sensuous yarns beg shoppers to caress them as they browse.

Fine Points departs from your typical yarn and clothing store. It not only teaches people how to improve their knitting skills, but also offers an emotional channel. As Liz explained, “There is a tremendous surge of knitting because of the state of the world… It's wonderful therapy…especially right now when there is a lot of uncertainty about our lives, as well as fear about where our world and country is headed right now. Several of my customers have children in the army in Baghdad…[My customers] are typically in their 40's and 50's and have stresses in their lives such as illness or aging parents ….You can get lost in knitting. It's a great outlet.” She remarked that she appreciated this therapeutic effect long before she understood it.

The store carries a combination of Liz's handmade sweaters and a line of distinctive readymade sweaters. Fine Points also supplies hand-painted yarn, and diverse fibers including mohair, alpaca, angora, wool, and silk. “We put a lot of emphasis on the finest quality. We like things to feel good and look wonderful.”

Fine Points' loyal customers know Liz and the staff on a personal level. They appreciate the honesty and genuine affection offered to them each time they visit. Liz highly values her integrity as a key to her success. She emphasizes the utmost importance of extending her love and her higher self to her clients. She explained, “It is important that when people leave they feel better than when they came in.” Liz's trust in the Universe, contagious passion, and boundless enthusiasm for her craft spread locally through her store and nationally as she takes her knitting on the road to art shows all over the country.

Mindful of giving back to the community, Fine Points donates to local charities. Last month Fine Points hosted a fashion show at Café Limbo, also located on Larchmont Blvd. It benefited the Gathering Place, a non-profit cancer center in Tremont.

If you would like to experience Fine Points' welcoming atmosphere and peruse the store's superior selection, they are located at 12620 Larchmere Blvd. in Cleveland. The hours of operation are: Tues-Sat 11-6, Thurs until 8 and Sundays 12-5. You can see them online at www.finepoints.com.

Each issue of Balanced Living Magazine will feature people in love with their job. We would like to inspire our readers to live their passion. If you would like to recommend someone for this column, please send your requests to info@balancedlivingmag.com.