Saying Good-Bye

Saying good-bye to a little spirit is never an easy thing to do; and today, Beatrix and I had to do just that. Tori, the little Cairn Terrier rescue, whose story we shared here, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today. While I know in my heart she is in a better place - healthy, out of pain and chasing squirrels to her heart's delight - doesn't make it any easier to accept that I won't see her sweet face or hold her in my arms again. While we knew from the beginning that she had a severe heart condition, it didn't stop my dear friends, the Becks, from adopting her; making the little pup a big part of their family. The Becks live on a farm, all fenced, so Tori was able to run with Missy (their older Cairn rescue) and Bea (my Cairn rescue), all day as a Cairn was meant to do. The Becks opened their hearts and did all they could to make sure that Tori (short for Tornado) lived a life that was rich and full. So, while it was all too short, the little scruffy pup had a wonderful life while she was here on earth.

She will be missed, that's for sure. When I held her on my lap last Tuesday I had a wave of sadness knowing it would be the last time I felt her little heart working so hard. Of course, I cried, because that is what I do. In her infinite wisdom and with a heart of gold, she turned and did what she could to comfort me, kissing my tears away. I know, some would say that she was just a dog, but in my heart and in Bea's and the Becks', Tori was a special spirit who touched our lives in a very special way. She will always be a part of who we are and we are grateful for that.

Under the Tucson Sky

Yes, I said Tucson, as in Arizona not Tuscan as in Italy! I'm still here at the big Gem Show and enjoying every minute of it. Yes, I love all the rocks and gemstones that I see; but one of the things I think I might enjoy the most is the wide range of people that I meet. For many of the vendors in Tucson, this is the only gem show they participate in throughout the year. People come from around the globe to sell and to buy rocks, minerals and gemstones in all forms, shapes and sizes. Today I talked with people from Madagascar, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, Australia, Afghanistan and Oregon. Yes, a gem cutter who lives just four hours from my home, but I had to come to Tucson to meet him! That's the wonder of this place -- the unexpected is the norm. I came across the cutest little girl in a pearl vendor's booth who was lost in the world of an iPad2. In order not to disturb her, I kept my distance and watched with amazement, I might add, as her tiny three- or so-year-old fingers worked their magic on the screen. It makes me wonder what her life will be like in 20 years -- will she be a fashion blogger, a jewelry designer or an attorney. Will the world of blogging be so old school that it is only mentioned in the history of this thing called social media. How small will technology be or will it somehow be implanted in some part of our body? Sci-fi, I know...but it's a thought.

Most of the booths in the venues I shop look similar -- tables and tables and walls and walls of gemstones in every shape and color. Not a lot of hoopla just a lot of stuff! But, every once in awhile there is one booth that stands out from the crowd. Case in point -- this company makes jewelry built around bits and bobs of vintage jewelry, lace and fabric. Very interesting -- which is quite apparent in the overall design of her booth. I don't go to the big AGTA show -- which is full of glamour and glitz and the one show that garners most of the media attention. In the past, I have walked the show...and the booths there are "designed" and in my mind, look very commercial and lack some imagination. I know it's a personal preference thing -- but I guess I favor the indie vendor trying to make a dent in a huge industry of made up of a lot of "big guys." So, I continue to shop the smaller less commercial venues and relish the international nature of it all. That's it for today -- but stay tuned there is more on the way.

Tucson Day One!

Well, it's not officially day one...since that would have been Thursday; but I figure I am close enough since this is my first official post from Tucson. If you didn't know -- I'm at the Tucson Gem Show scouting lots of new things for upcoming designs!! Along with that, it's a time for me to enjoy time with my niece, meet up with old friends and eat way too much good food. Creature of habit that I am, I have a schedule of the different venues I want to visit (there are 43 official venues) which seems to work for me. i am pretty much on sensory overload while I am here, like a kid a Disneyland all sugared up and over-stimulated, so I have to keep pulling myself back to center so I can focus on finding the things I need. Not an easy task at times. Friday we walked the JOGS show -- which consists of mostly finished jewelry but also houses a few of my favorite vendors for silver and turquoise. I know, I don't sell my designs made with turquoise, since they would just be over-the-top expensive; but I do always like to look to see what I might "have" to add to my collection. As you can see, there was lots to choose from this time around -- all of the beads in the pix above are from American mines -- and I just captured those in the high blue strands; since that is my favorite.

I can only look at finished jewelry for about three hours before I glaze over and it all starts to look the same. I am always so tempted to buy one or two finished pieces...but truth be told, I have such an enormous collection after all the years, that I really work to exit before I crack!! On the way out, there is a vendor who has the most glorious geodes and collector-type pieces. This amethyst geode was just one of hundreds for sale. Beautiful and quite grand standing about three feet tall. The light just dances off the crystals inside this "rock." It boggles the mind to know that all of these pieces have been shipped from around the world to this one location. Quite the task. But I am happy for it...as it lends me the opportunity to enjoy the gifts of Mother Nature each and every year.

Sometimes I Don't Like Blogger

Why oh why does the formatting have to be such an issue for me on blogger? Case in point, my last post. Try as I might to get all the images lined up on the left side of the entry -- one or more tend to jump around at will. Preview looks fabulous but when I publish, it all goes to hell in a hand basket! I will figure this out at some point...in the mean time...please overlook the zig-zag nature of the post! Thanks.

Opulent Gemstones or Rocks in my Head?

Honestly, sometimes when I am working in the jewelry studio I think I am nuts. Why you ask? Well, let's see: is it normal for a person to actual gasp when she sees a piece of pietersite? Does a sane person swoon over kyanite or labradorite? Does a woman with even a modicum of commonsense get giddy over a pile of rocks? To tell the truth...I'm not sure. But I do know this - what other people might see as just rocks, I see as opulent opaque gemstones in so many varieties that no one person has counted or seen them all!

I'm not quite sure what the draw is for me. I do marvel at the fact that many of these "rocks" are millions of years old. Millions -- as in 35 to 50 million -- and in my mind, that's amazing just in itself. Does my obsession with these stones have to do with the beautiful colors and patterns that are unique to each and every one? Am I captured by the fact that these gemstones were created by the most talented of artists...Mother Nature herself? Is it the energy I feel when I touch them, hold them in my hands and work with them? They say the energy of the artist is passed through the stones -- so maybe in some way I have the good fortune to touch Mother Nature's hand or maybe her heart, when I work with her gifts. To tell you the truth, I don't think it is any one thing. I believe it is a combination of all of these things -- mind boggling at times. When I hear someone jokingly say "but Tanya, it's a pile of rocks" I secretly cringe inside. The comment baffles me and sometimes makes me wonder if I do have rocks in my head!

Luckily, I don't have anyone in my circle that really feels that way -- although, I have heard it said in other places. My truth is this - when I hear back from all of you telling me how much you love each and every piece, how smashingly beautiful the gemstones are, how you get a sense of calm when you wear each piece or how you chose one of my pieces to wear on a very special day in your life or give to someone dear to you, it makes my heart sing. To know that we share a love for something as basic as a rock and that we enjoy beautiful jewelry that captures the essence of the stones is a wonderful thing. I do also know this -- when I see a rock of any type, I treasure it. It is filled with life and all things that came before - so treasuring it is the least I can do. When I started using these opaque gemstones in my jewelry designs all those years ago, I am not quite sure I understood the energy behind it all. Today, I do "get it," I do understand the connection and it warms my heart to be able to share it all with you. It's my hope that you too will come to see opulent gemstones and not just a pile of rocks.

Bottom line? It's your decision. Opulent opaque gemstones or rocks in my head? I hope you take some time to scout around on my site and perhaps, before that you may have been thinking "rocks." However, just maybe, after spending a few minutes or a few hours sharing my passion for these stones, you might come over to my side. Trust me -- it's not a bad place to be -- totally in awe of the talent of Mother Nature and loving the beauty and the energy found in these beautiful gemstones.

What Story Will You Tell?

Unique or ordinary? Have you noticed that people tend to compliment and ask about the jewelry you're wearing? When it happens, and you know it will, you can respond with an "oh, thanks, it's plastic and I blindly picked it from thousands just like it at Brand-X department store just down the street." Well, that's exciting, right? I'm thinking...not so much. Now, let's rewind and look at the situation a little bit differently. Wouldn't it be much more fun to respond with a unique and interesting tale about the piece under observation, especially when the compliment comes from "the cute guy" standing in line next to you waiting for his venti Americano? (Interesting side note: no sugar, no milk, no froth...manly man. I'm guessing that just maybe you've noticed him before.) Now, as smart girls, we know that the interest in your jewelry is simply a ploy to strike up a conversation with you and since you are definitely interested in exploring "Mr. Venti Americano" formerly known as "the cute guy" you're quickly tapping through the iPad in your mind, searching for a response much more intriguing than a simple "thanks, it's plastic and looks just like the one on that really cute girl over there and on that tall, svelte woman behind you. It's nothing special really."

So, here's where it gets fun. If you were wearing a unique and somewhat unusual design from the Tanya Lochridge Jewelry Collection (yes, that would be mine!), you could say that you are one of only two or three people in the entire universe to have this exact piece. And, there you have It, the beginning of a beautiful friendship. What? You expected me to give you the entire script? Well, I am not going to do that since I know you/re creative enough to carry on a flirty conversation that starts in the coffee line and then moves into the elevator where, if played right, he'll discover the floor on which your office is located and then...well, you'll just have to wait and see where it all goes from there.

Since it all starts with the jewelry, here are a few ideas that I've styled to get your off and running. You'll find about two hundred more interesting designs at my site, so sit back with your "lucky" espresso macchiato and do a little browsing. All images are clear and descriptive so you know exactly what you are looking at and buying. (Noted: pet peeve #1) Oh, and if the boss happens to step into your office to see what's up with the new project that's due next week...ask her to join you in a little click-shopping first while you tell her about "Mr. Venti Americano" and then, when all is said and done, you can bring her up to speed on the other new project that you will complete ahead of schedule! You know, the project that you do to pay the rent...can't totally brush that aside now can we?

In my mind, jewelry should never be ho-hum, ordinary nor expected. It's true, women from all walks of life and all corners of the globe (honestly, how can the globe have corners when the very nature of the word "globe" means round? I never quite got that saying and yet, here I am using it.). Well, back to my point about women -- they have been adorning themselves with jewelry for thousands of years; and, I'm willing to bet that they didn't do it to look like every other woman in their circle. In today's world it's tough to make personal connections -- and I'm talking "personal" as in without the use of some electronic device -- so it works in your favor to do what you can to get noticed...in a good way. Think about it -- do you really want to have a flirty conversation with a guy whose opening line is "hey, great cleavage" -- oh, I hope not. As much as we don't like to admit it -- our appearance speaks volumes before we ever utter a sound -- so why not let people know that you are an interesting and unique individual through the jewelry you wear and the unique way you style it? Somehow I think the story you tell will be quite entertaining...can't wait to hear it!

The Touch, the Feel

The touch, the feel...no, surprisingly I am not talking about cotton. You're probably thinking "come on it is jewelry and it is all about the look, so what's with the touch and feel stuff." Well, while the look is important, for me jewelry serves another purpose. You see, I am a "fiddler" -- no the kind of fiddling associated with a musical instrument; but the kind of "fiddling" that happens when my fingers have to be busy. I've never been able to sit perfectly still -- no matter the location (frequently to the dismay of those in close proximity). I can't help it, I have busy hands and I am an annoying foot wiggler as well -- so I doodle and I knit and I wear jewelry all while wiggling my foot. Be forewarned - you might not want to sit next to me on a flight and I am okay with that!

So, I say "let's hear it for jewelry" -- it is an acceptable way to deal with fiddling. It's no secret -- I love big gemstones and big jewelry made from those gemstones. If you know me, you already know that. But, I'll pretend that you have no idea who I am and we'll go from there. Call me crazy but not only is there something about the way the gemstones look, for me, oftentimes, it is about the way they feel. Always cool to the touch and, depending on the cut and faceting, in most cases there is a smoothness about them that can't be copied in plastic or any faux material. I know that when I wear a bracelet made from bolder gemstones, I spend a lot of time fiddling with it. Not in that "I can't wait to get this thing off my wrist" kind of way, but in a calming almost meditative way. I know, I know -- it's just jewelry right? Well, clearly not for me. It seems that I use jewelry for more reasons that just mere decoration.

There is much lore around the powers of gemstones, and, quite frankly, the rock geek in me loves learning all I can about rocks and minerals. I do believe that they carry the energy of Mother Earth -- of all things that came before. Now could they not? It is this thinking that drives me to showcase the gemstones in both simple and complex designs, allowing for the stones to look beautiful and providing a touchstone, of sorts, for you the wearer.

I'm hoping you get the point I am working so hard to make here. Just think of the worry beads you find in Greece -- beads that men, women and children hold and "fiddle" with throughout the day. Knowing that people around the globe are holding on to beads at this very moment makes me feel better. It confirms that somehow my "fiddling" with jewelry is not an unusual behavior; in fact, it is quite normal...right?

2012? When Did That Happen/

Hard to believe, but here we go...a new year at hand. 2012...2012? How did that happen? At times I feel as if I am stuck in a time warp. While I think I keep up with the latest, I know that I cling to the past in many ways. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just what I do. To a certain degree, I think my environment spurs my longing for things past. You see, I live in a mid-century house. Well, to me it would be a tiny house built in the early 60s but to a designer it is "mid-century!" Along with the hideous avocado green flooring in the kitchen and bath that coordinates wonderfully (!) with the avocado green appliances, sinks and tubs there are lots of little reminders of what life was like back when the house was built. Times were simpler then...I think. That cute little wood box in the upper pix to the right is fastened into the wood that sides my front door. The second pix shows the inside -- a little note pad and pencil. I love this little reminder of the days when people stopped by and if the residents of the house weren't home, they left a little handwritten note. Yes, times were such in those years that, as kids, we left the house in the morning and didn't talk with our parents until we came home late in the afternoon. Somehow we managed to live through it all. I do understand that times are much different than they were when I was a kid and that it is important for people, especially kids, to touch base for safety; but at times I wonder if we haven't gone to far with it all? In a strange way, I am more connected to lots of people, but in a very disconnected way. The nuance of face-to-face conversation is missing. But...then with an addition of more technology I could have face-to-face. But that's a story for another day.

Don't get me wrong. All of this techno communication wizardry has made it possible for me to have a jewelry biz at which I sell beautiful baubles to clients around the world. I love that! Along with my site, as you know, for the biz of jewelry, I also communicate through facebook and late last year I added Twitter to the mix. While I find it all fascinating and fun, it still feels a bit overwhelming. Living in this tiny little community in the Pacific Northwest, I love that I can connect with others around the globe. One of the things I loved about life in NYC was the immense diversity I encountered every day; along with the energy of the streets. Living in this part of the world, that energy and diversity are the things I miss the most. So being able to connect with people from all walks of life, even in a remote way, is fun for me. At the same time, I find it a bit innervating to constantly keep up with Tweets. I know, I am an old dog; but I want to think that I am capable of learning new tricks...it just might take a bit longer than it did when I was a girl! For me, the best solution has been to think about Twitter as the hallway in the office. People pop in to comment about some bit of life and I respond in kind. Most times it's silly -- but at times it's a word of encouragement or gratitude. As we move into the new year, it is my hope that I make the adjustment to all the techno stuff a bit smoother. While I fought getting an iPhone for years, now that I have it, I don't know how I lived without it. An iPad2 is next on the list...and then I will stop with all the techno stuff...I think. I do know that I will never give up the joy and the magic I experience when taking pen to paper -- yes, an actual pen with ink and paper from a tree. So, don't be surprised if you see me walking and jotting down a note at the same time -- while all this technology is amazing, please let me stay in the "old days" at least a few minutes of every day.

A Birthday Gift

Earlier today, I took a break from the studio and ran to do a few errands, one of which was stopping in at a huge store to pick up necessities like toilet paper and paper towels. Needless to say the place was packed with people and baskets piled higher than high, many people had two baskets in which they were piling things. It’s no secret, I do not like to shop…blasphemy, right? But, I don’t. Perhaps that is why I have a penchant for online shopping. The one exception, I love to shop for fabric...and rocks. Sorry, I’m just not a shopper at heart. Too many choices and sometimes it’s all overwhelming to me. I had finally reached the last item on my list which should be easy. Ice cream. Do you know that out of what seems like 3,000 ice cream choices no one makes a plain old vanilla with chocolate chip anymore? All these fancy flavors with nuts and stuff – and all I wanted to celebrate my birthday was some good old-fashioned chocolate chip ice cream. Finally -- I did find a Breyer’s (oops, I forget it is called Dreyer’s in this part of the country) container, stuffed way in the back of the giant freezer. I tossed it in the cart and ventured over to check out so I could head back to the sanctity of my quiet little studio.

I found a line that was short by comparison, so quickly tucked my cart in behind three young women, who were pushing carts filled with sleeping bags. Not sure, but they probably had 25 or more rolled tight in their carts. Curious George that I am, I had to ask. I discovered that they were donating them to a few homeless folks living in Salem. During our brief chat I learned that they are nurses and work with a nonprofit group of medical and non-medical professionals who offer assistance to people in need. Their organization is Without Strings (http://www.withoutstrings.org/). I said goodbye to them and finished my checkout, piled my now seemingly senseless items back into the cart and pushed my way through the crowds out to the car. By now you know that I am one who believes in serendipity and no, not just the great little restaurant in NYC! I believe that things happen for reasons…like getting in line #9 and then meeting and chatting with three young girls (women really but these days everyone just looks so damn young to me) who were buying sleeping bags so a few people could be a bit warmer in the bitter cold. On my ride home, I thought about the many numbers of people in the world today in need…and not just at this time of year. I was reminded of how important it is that we open our hearts to do what we can to lend a hand to someone who is less fortunate; and, most importantly in my mind, is that we do it all without judgment.

At first, I chastised myself for the silliness of quibbling about the lack of ice cream, and for buying dog cookies and a few toys for dog friends; but the more I thought, it isn’t about taking away what I have at any point in time. Not at all, it is about sharing, in whatever way I can. Today, I sent a donation to Without Strings, because I wasn’t thinking fast enough to pull some cash from my pocket when I was talking with the girls. Sometimes, I think we get lost in the “well it’s such a small gift” thinking that we just put it aside. Having worked with many non-profits and even having founded one myself (Kids Make it Happen, Inc.) I know better. Even a small gift is better than no gift. So, this year, I encourage all of you to remember how fortunate we truly are to have the lives that we do – and as part of our gratitude, I hope you will reach out to someone a little less fortunate. This year, for my birthday, I gave a gift of warmth in the way of a few sleeping bags. While it seems like a small gift to me…to someone else it is bigger than big.

World AIDS Day

It was on this day, in what now seems like a hundred years ago, that the Tamarind Foundation planted the first Hope Garden in a small park in the financial district near the World Trade Center. Rose bushes were donated in the memory of loved ones who lost their lives to AIDS. It was a sunny but chilly day but that didn’t stop the volunteers and the kids from neighboring schools from coming out to support and help in the effort. Along with the Hope Garden, in the matter of a few years, the Foundation specifically created rooftop gardens at the homes of people living with AIDS, including the Terence Cardinal Cooke Healthcare Center and the Incarnation Children’s Center. While the years have passed and the lives of many have changed, one thing remains constant; HIV/AIDS is still a reality. World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to take a few minutes to learn more at the World Aids Day site and you can also learn more about the Incarnation Children’s Center by visiting their facebook page.