Amethyst & the Color Purple

Who doesn’t love the color purple? Well, okay, I am sure there are some of you out there that aren’t nuts about it…and that’s okay. No judgement…remember? We all sit at the same table, right? That being said, I am one of the people who happens to love the color purple; but with limits. I don’t think I would wear purple from head to toe…but wait, I do own purple loafers so I guess I do wear it on my toes! 

Layer or Stack? Stack and Layer? Neither or Both?

So much confusion – do you layer or should you stack? The question is are these two very different styling mantras or are they really just different words for the same thing? Personally, I think I use the words interchangeably; but maybe I’ve been wrong all these years? Sure as heck wouldn’t be the first time and I am sure it’s not going to be the last! Do you layer necklaces but stack bracelets? Head spinning? I know mine is…well, it does all the time; but that’s another story best left for another day! Back to the jewelry and I’ll try to stay on track here! Lay down your bets now!

Inspiration: Spring, Longer Days & Invitations

I know that it’s on its way. Spring, that is. While we had hints of it a few weeks back these last few days we are back to rain, clouds and lots of wind. Funny, I do love the change of seasons; however, the winters in this part of the country just seem to drag on for some reason. I shouldn’t really complain, this year we squeaked through without snow or ice unlike many parts of the country. The no snow and ice thing was a really nice change from the norm here. During our spring tease I had a gigantic case of spring fever. The longer warmer sunnier days were so tranquil and the cute little bench in my garden was so inviting.

Zen and the Art of Jewelry Making

There is something intrinsically Zen about the making of jewelry. If you’ve ever taken a look at my jewelry you’ll know that I employ a wide array of techniques in my pieces. Long ago I stopped using any technique that requires top-grade ventilation, fire and strong chemicals for my safety; but most importantly, the safety of others! While I loved metalsmithing all those years ago, at this time in my life, my preference is one of wrapping and twisting wire, tossing it with gemstones, rocks, glass and chain and discovering just what turns up when all is said and done. Unlike the old metalsmithing days, nothing I do today starts with a sketch or drawing of any type; and I like that. I’m very kinesthetic and so I dump beads of all types onto the work bench, and play a game of mix and match until I am happy with what I see. No design technique really or is there a method to my madness?

Black & White: Purist or Out of the Box?

Curious…when it comes to wearing black and white, are you a purist and strictly keep it to black and white or are you a “step out of the box” kind of gal? The spectator look, as it came to be called in the 30s and 40s, always looks sharp to me. And for those of you who are thinking that I am really old…no, I wasn’t around in the 30s and while I was here in the late 40s I was way too young to be paying attention to fashion yet. So, yes, I am old…just not that old yet! However, I love watching classic movies from that time – mostly for the jewelry and the fashion. The tailoring and the fit was always superb in the clothes and the jewelry…well, there simply aren’t words.

Pantone Fall 2014: Aluminum

Yippee, yahoo and gadzooks! Let’s hear it for the Pantone Fall 2014 Color Report. Aluminum – Pantone simply described it as a cross between silver and gray -- heavenly is how I describe it. Yes, I am one of those people that absolutely loves the soft mysterious hues of the color gray. I am a bit of a purist, in that I like my gray, plain and simple. So, I'm conflicted as to how I feel about the color combinations highlighted by various designers in the Fall 2014 Color Report.

Facebook Friends & Everyone Else in the World!!

Kazuri Bead Greenwood Collection Facebook Friends Sale Extended! Spring is Showing her Colors and We're Celebrating!      Facebook friend or not yet...you're all invited!  25% off your total purchase (no minimum required)! You save 25% on gemstone, glass and Kazuri designs!! Use coupon/voucher code FBF25 at checkout. And, 25% will magically be whisked away from your total!    It's a spring party..and you don't need a tisket, a tasket, a bonnet or basket! Here's a direct link for you. www.tanyalochridge.com  The party ends on 04-30-14 at 12:00 midnight PDT and many designs are really getting close to being sold out. So...get on over there and hunt for your favorites.   Pearl, Citrine & Moonstone Multi-Strand Bracelet   Angelite & Bold Leaf Multi-Strand Bracelet

One Bracelet -- Five Looks in Black & Brown

A long time favorite of mine – the combo of brown and black. I know…for years we were told not to mix the two; but, I still say, rules be damned. It doesn’t really matter does it? If you like it and it makes you feel good you should wear it, right? When I first found a variety of these gorgeous works of Mother Nature in Tucson many, many, many moons ago, I was immediately drawn to them. Not only are the mother-of-pearl beads lovely to look at – they are so smooth and cool that I think they make great touchstones.

Anatomy 101: Patterned Agate & Onyx Bracelet

As I “stroll” through the jewelry departments of some of my favorite stores and boutiques, one of the things that I find fascinating is the way in which high end designers toss in a variety of beads and components. I love the juxtaposition of components in unexpected ways – that’s what inspires me. In turn, it makes me so happy when someone looks at my jewelry designs and says “I have never seen those gemstones used together. I would not have thought to mix it up like this.” I always take it as a positive observation and not a criticism.

Now You Can Follow My Blog on Bloglovin'

And, if Twitter and Facebook aren't enough, now you can follow my blog on Bloglovin'! Okay, the world has gone mad and looks like I am going with it! Now...back to the jewelry bench.

Yes, that paragraph is one giant link because I can't get the code to change. So, just ignore all the blue above, for now. Ta!

The Test of Time

Seems like I blinked and weeks have passed since my last blog entry. Over the last several weeks I have been thrown into circumstances that have made me marvel at all the technology we have at our fingertips these days. And, I am very grateful for it all. However, on the other end of the spectrum, I am so grateful for the repetitive handwork it takes to create my jewelry designs – work that takes a significant level of skill and definitely work that doesn’t fly at the speed of light.

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.

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.

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!

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.)

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" -- not 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!

How Do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways. It's the best way to spend a Saturday morning...playing with jewelry. Thank goodness I have a business that I absolutely am head-over-heels in love with -- otherwise, I would be sitting here complaining to you all the time. Now, that would be fun, right? I was posting a few new pieces to the site this morning which, as you know, usually includes pix of different ways I like to style the piece. It hit me today that the options are limitless, really, limitless. I thought it would be fun to show you a few ways I styled one of my favorite styles -- the soft bangle.

The Year -- 1998

You might remember, the day I got my iPhone I was fiddling with the camera and out of nowhere, I discovered this Bergdorf Catalog circa 1998 in a stack of catalogs in the studio. Today I had some time to sit and leaf through it. With the exception of two silk charmeuse dresses, out of the eighty-seven pages, there is not one thing I wouldn't buy today.

Unexpected Delights

Even after years of the being in the creative flow of things, I am always surprised when the unexpected happens. Well, maybe I need to qualify that...the unexpected in jewelry design is what delights me, not so much as in the unexpected like in a BlackBerry outage. So, now that we are clear on that point -- yes, I love it when an unexpected thing happens in the jewelry studio.

Color Outside the Lines

Clearly having one of those days where I am working the split personality deal. But, in a good way -- at least I think it's in a good way. As you know, I love to layer bracelets -- case in point, while chatting with a jewelry buyer this morning about carrying my line in their chain of stores, I kind of snort-laughed when she asked if I really wore more than one bracelet at a time. Once I regained my composure (honestly, no one likes to snort during the first conversation with a potential buyer) my response was "isn't that why there's so much space between my wrist and my elbow?" There is no real science to it, I just like to get them all stacked so they feel good while they are in place.