What Have You Been Up To In The Past 20 Years?

There is an old saying, " Don't burn your bridges. You never know what and who your future holds." How true, how true. It is very interesting to me, how in the past 6 weeks I have had 3 people that were in my 'circle', 20 years ago, show up again. Bizarre? Yes. Welcomed? Yes. Cosmic? Probably. The first one we'll call her "Tres " and I have crossed paths a couple of times in the past ten years, but this past November we saw each other at a house sale a mutual friend of hours was hosting. It was there that I invited her to join me and a few of my other friends at a house sale that we organize. 'Tres Love' and

Breathe...

I returned from the island with my heart filled and my mind rested. I have found a new seaside sanctuary that will surely be in heavy rotation of my favorite retreats. I came home after 2 days of loving my 'Ya-Ya's' but missing my babes and the 'Silver Fox'. You know you have a sweet life when are excited to go home. Monday was a day of preparation for Tuesday's initial onslaught of media and such. The day started at 5am. Shower, coffee, coffee, and coffee. Make up artist extraordinaire, Ariell P. arrived at 6:20am and by 6:21am I was in the chair getting an overhaul as this goddess worked her magic. By 9:20am I was at our showroom being interviewed and filmed by a team from the Vancouver Sun Media crew. I have no problem public speaking or having my photograph taken, but apparently a t.v. camera is an entirely different story. No sooner did I get the green light, I got dry mouth. I have never experienced that sensation. I couldn't get a word out. Good grief... what an amateur. I had to excuse my self to get a drink. If I had known how many different takes it was going to take them, I would have gone to bed earlier! We needed better light, better angles, better backdrop, better sequence, better, better and better. You know that feeling when you have smiled so much that your teeth and gums get dry... yah, that was me after the first twenty minutes. Let's just say I am not excited to see those photos... ah well, vanity is not an endearing quality anyway. The interview itself was fine. The reporter was lovely and seemed genuinely interested in my story. I had received great advice from a few of my peeps who are used to being interviewed or rather, interviewing people. My one friend 'The Writer' who has interviewed all sorts of people in her career, including Donald Trump, told me to pick three points and deliver them within your answers. Easily said, challenging to accomplish. My other friend ' The Rock Star' gave me tips to make for a better on camera experience. Ignore the camera, be myself, don't be over animated... All of these things were on my mind as I dove into my first on camera interview in a long time . The interview lasted just over an hour from start to finish. I was grateful for the experience but also grateful when it was over. This girl was rusty! No sooner was the interviewer gone, did my new employee 'V', show up. Yes, I have hired my first employee at Buddha & The Raven. I spent the next hour training 'V' on how to assemble a particular piece of jewelry for me. The 'control freak' in me had a difficult time making the decision to hire someone. To actually hand over the reigns to my creations was an exercise in trust and a way to venture into the land of vulnerability without being exactly vulnerable. It's hard to explain but it really feels like I am trusting someone else with something very dear to me which is extremely fragile. There a dozen metaphors I could relate it to, but whatever... I pulled up my big girl panties and just did it. LOL Now, let me be clear, the major assembly, the boring laborious part is what I have asked her to do,(I know, what a jerk I am) I have not instructed her on how to finish the finer details, I will do that. I will finish every piece that I am ever donating, mailing, giving and selling. If my name is on it, I need to do that for myself. I also will always design every piece personally, and I will just have to accept the support from her and whatever future staff that support me. A very wise business person recently said to me, " You need to work ON your business, while others work IN your business." It takes me back to the point I made a few blogs ago. I need to do what I am good at and allow others to do the same. So I gave 'V' a non-compete contract to sign, her materials and a time line and set her up and off on her way. No sooner did she leave did one of my favorite photographers arrive. I hired Carrie Marshall, www.carriemarshall.com - to come and and work her own magic and to photograph my head shots for me. I have needed them done for sometime now, but in light of the fact that my main press release is being sent out on Tuesday I was prompted to get 'er done. I briefly saw a few of the images Carrie captured yesterday. I was blown away how unlike me they appeared, but also how totally me and casual and candid they truly were. I know for certain that which ever photo I use will be usable thanks to Ariell & Carrie. After our photo shoot I took Carrie over to Thomas Haas' for a java and one of their amazing sandwiches. (and chocolate of course) I bid Carrie farewell from there and headed into the back where the chocolate is created. I found Thomas and his better half Lisa back there creating and coordinating Valentine's Day creations. All I can say is that my dear, dear friends have master minded an amazing array of offerings and I encourage you all to head over there to get some treats for your beloveds for February 14th. I will have a selection of my custom stationary there for your convenience. Grab you chocolate and a card in the perfect one stop shop . I returned back to 'The Mama' just in time to pick up my precious babes from school, which really is the highlight of my day. No matter what I do, or who am, being a Mama to these two beauties and a wife to the 'Silver Fox' is by far my favorite roles to date. Now I need to run off to another photo shoot at Capilano Suspension Bridge. My dear friend 'C' and her husband and his family own the bridge. They are so incredibly generous with all of their neighbours all year long that I was only elated to be able to use their location so that they may get a little press too. Like I said, the more I can share this spotlight, the more joy I find in the journey. I will tell you how it goes later. Love & Light, t.

There Is Nothing More Excited Than A Baby!

Okay, so I have left the family and am inbound to some of my girls. Although I am so excited to see some of my bff's, i am feeling immense guilt at this moment. I have been so busy with the obvious distractions I have had this week I feel like I have neglected my house wifely duties and now am abandoning my family. I am not of course, it just sure feels like it as the ship leaves the harbour at this moment. I am wishing I had accomplished more around the house this week. My excitement came at the cost of my housekeeping, laundry and get ready for it... putting away some of my xmas decorations. Now normally it would not take someone more than a day to dismantle their xmas decor;however, I am not normal. Ask anyone who knows me... I am am anything but normal. :) My love for decorating my log house in Christmas gear is also anything but normal and I am okay with it. I have some serious decorations and I love every single globe, bobble and swag. I do not however love that it is still in a pile in the great room waiting for next December to roll around. Dear sweet husband of mine, thank you for your patience with your preoccupied wife. Dear sweet children of mine, thank you for being so patient and well behaved for your mama. Dear sweet friend Marnie of mine, thank you for not unfriending me for not returning your sweet phone calls this week. You deserve an honourable mention for being my constant and true sounding board who forgives my peaks and valleys of communication. I honestly haven't talked to anyone other than those who are helping me navigate through these open waters. Speaking of open waters. I love riding the B.C. Ferries... I know, I know, I am the only one. I do though. I love hiding up on the outer deck upstairs, and perching myself in a corner protected form the wind. The wind is beautiful as it whips around but it is the view of the coastline that nourishes me and truly is quenching to my spirit. It doesn't matter how many times I have traveled this route, it takes my breath away every time. I went to pick up 'Miss.B.' from school today and a few of the moms I have befriended that are in the know of what has been go on this on this week were all there and they are all so supportive and really are like my little own cheer leading squad. They asked me what I was up to this weekend and I told them that I was going to visit a dear friend who is expecting her first child. I couldn't stop talking about how excited I am to see her and the baby and becoming an 'aunty' again. Where a couple of them wanted more E.T. details, I just wanted to gloat about our new baby on the way. One of the moms commented that I seem more excited about this baby that isn't even mine, than the E.T. news that is mine. It is absolutely true. I am excited about this E.T. interview and all of the other fun stuff that is coming down the line but a baby is real and forever, media creates illusions that are fleeting. Yes, it's all fun but I am very aware that is fun and not meaningful in real life. Real life is tangible and about relationships and babies. I am keeping my feet firmly on the ground in this whirlwind of fun and excitement. (I have to just say- the Chief Stewart just came over the loud speakers to announce that the hockey game has just finished the second period and the Canucks are leading 3-1! You know when you are in Canada when...) I am appreciative of all of these opportunities, and I am well aware of the kind of success these sorts of connections can lead to and for these reasons these interviews and media coverage are very real and very meaningful; that said, a baby trumps every other celebratory event as far as I am concerned, especially when it is this baby. This one is extra special. Now, and to acknowledge the way this baby ties into Buddha & The Raven... it has been this baby that has inspired me to create a bonified children's line. I created a few small bracelets for this past holiday season, it was really just a few and I made them to see if the product would actually fly. I am going to create a Spring 2011 line and I am absolutely going to create a baby/toddler/children's series of little bracelets. Whoever this little spirit who is on their way here, they are going to be the namesake of my future children's line. I am sure I will have to pay the mama royalties for life. ;)

Kindness Is Contagious.

The human spirit is a beautiful thing. Where I was expecting to go into great detail of the amazing opportunities that have come my way in the past 24 hours, after sitting down and meditating today (I practice T.M.) it dawned on me that the real story worth sharing tonight is the experience I have had witnessing first hand, the capacity of beauty our human spirit is capable of bestowing upon one another, friend to friend, stranger to stranger and watching strangers transform into friends. It is not that I wasn't aware that what goes around comes around, and what you reap you sow; however, watching how completely contagious a gesture of kindness is and how widespread and immediate it's ripple effect is has left me speechless.

For as exciting as it has been to have this week's incredible Academy Awards opportunity and the many other doors open up for me as a result, I think it is important, at least for myself to stop and absorb the fact that I now know for certain that showing love and kindness to a single person that crosses your path in any given day will affect hundreds of people. In a society where we are constantly bombarded with negativity in news reports about what some unsavoury people are doing to one another and to innocent bystanders,it is comforting to know that each of us can offer an action that can work towards balancing that negative energy.

Now,I know some of you have been pestering me today to share some details on the latest happenings for Buddha & The Raven.For those of you who are interested in hearing about it, I will quickly say that Tuesday morning I am meeting a report & her team of photographer, videographer and lighting peeps at our showroom for my first on camera interview. I am really excited about it, and really a bit nervous. The fun part of this is that because of the on camera work that is on the horizon, I have been in touch with the amazing Vancouver make-up artist Ariell Paterson, whose work is absolutely phenomenal. I have seen her work on models, brides, and everyday people like me. I have had the pleasure of working with her personally and am always thoroughly impressed with her talent and professionalism. My past experiences working with Ariell has given me great confidence in her and I feel like I am doing all of you a favour by even telling you about her.It kind of feels like telling someone the name of your favorite babysitter...all of you moms out there know how taboo that is...you never tell someone about a great babysitter otherwise they get too popular and are never available for you when you need them! In this case I feel good about referring Ariell to anyone that has an occasion when they just want to look their best and need a little help.Just don't say I've never done anything for you! ;)

And now am thrilled to say I am taking the next few days to step away from all of this excitement... this girl needs to take a deep breath and process what the next several weeks are going to entail. I am off to hunker down with 'Big City', 'The Princess' and 'The Bean' and a couple of other bff's for some good ole' girl time. I have to laugh though... it doesn't seem like that long ago that when we would get together we would dine out, maybe go dancing, at worst host a party and get our 'wine' on that would inevitably turn into all of us girls singing Lady Gaga into our thumbs and dancing in our p.j's.( okay pretend you don't do that with your friends...don't judge!) LOL ... but these past few years our ideal of good quality girl time looks more and more like an episode of the Golden Girls! We keep the circle tight, we all cook together and although there might be some wine involved, without fail the evening ends before 11pm and usually with a cup of tea while we are all sit around in our flannel jammies, no make up on with half assed ponytails on our head. I am laughing out loud right now because you know you are amongst your 'besties' when the thought of a cuppa tea and flannel equates one of my favorite things to do. Getting your 'evening ugly' on and feeling comfortable in the presence of someone other than your husband is just one of the best feelings ever.

The only thing better than some girl time is having a loving, supportive husband who creates the opportunity for me to sneak away and to make this happen. The 'Silver Fox' is such a star that way and he loves having one on one time with 'Miss. B.' and 'The B. Man'. As I begin to feel pangs of guilt in leaving them for a day or two I have to remind myself that it is also giving them a gift by allowing them to find their own rhythm together without the mama bear in me always being in the mix... we all need balance. Balance is good. Balance is good.

B a l a n c e i s g o o d .

love & light,

t.

My Heart Is Bursting with Gratitude.

Over the past few years I have considered myself to have seen small successes in my business. I have never really stopped to add them up before, but recently, after a conversation with a friend regarding this new adventure I have found myself on, we began discussing the different stepping stones that have brought me to this place.

Some of the donations I have made to different organization are the connections I most proud of. Supporting the likes of Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, Canuck Place, B.C. Cancer Agency, The Terry Fox Foundation, Collingwood School Foundation, Camp Kerry- Family Bereavement Camp and a few other programs that benefit children in the arts, these are the kind of associations I have found the most rewarding.

My girlfriend 'The Guru' who knows of my other successes made a good point, that indeed those are very worthy connections to mention, but so are the other less known about ones. Let me say this; I am very proud of everyone who dons one of my creations. I put so much heart and soul into each piece that I love to know that people are receiving the blessings that I put into my art. I truly do say a little blessing on the stones and pearls I string together. I have a had cynic once ask me, " So, you are telling me you bless, e v e r y stone you use?". My answer is yes. Sometimes I take them all in my hands before I begin stringing them together- and I just hold them with a quiet mind and wish the wearer peace, to feel beautiful and find happiness each time the put this jewelry on. There are times that I actually string a necklace like a rosary and put a sweet thought into each one. I just believe everyone has a platform to do something to spread joy into the world. My girl Oprah has a massive platform. She can open up girls schools in Africa, I can bestow blessings into pearls and hope that the wearer benefits in that way. We all can do something and this is one of the ways I do my part.

Back to the small successes that 'The Guru' feels I should share. Well, the fact is that I have been blessed to have worked closely with a wide range of celebrities over the years. I will mention a few of the ones that I know have donned my original designs. When Goldie Hawn was living here in Vancouver, I had the pleasure to get to know her on a personal level. By far, by a long, long stretch she is my favorite celebrity. Why, you ask? Because she has no pretense about who she is and the industry she belongs too. There is no fluff around her. She is a spiritual guru in her own right and she is a poster girl for spreading light and love into the world. Yes, I found great pleasure in seeing her in something that came from my heart. Sarah Michelle Geller not only has worn my jewelry but she has also purchased it for her friends. Singer/ song writers Jane Siberry and Jody Quine both have one of my creations. It is worth mentioning that my designs have been worn in the t.v. series ' Sanctuary' & 'Men in Trees' and on the the big screen with 'The Twilight Saga'. So there is a taste of some of my other successes you may not have known about.

Everyday there is a new twist of excitment. Thank you for allowing me to share it with you.

love & light,

t.

Do What You Are Good At, And Let Others Do The Same.

As I sit down to my computer there is a beautiful snowfall outside my window. There isn't anything quite as calming as the quiet that envelopes the world when there is a crisp, fluffy, white blanket of fresh snow on the ground. In light of the excitement that the past few days has held for me, this meditation in motion, this beautiful snowfall, is exactly what my spirit needed. I usually don't have trouble staying in my body, grounded and present... but today especially, I have felt like I couldn't quite get my feet to touch the ground.

There has been some exciting revelations that have come as a result of my new association with the Academy Awards... the media wants to talk to me. I knew for certain that this latest adventure in my world was a big deal to me; however, it did not occur to me that this was newsworthy to anyone other than my friends and family. Low and behold, I have been in touch with a few different publications already and where I am normally a very confident person, comfortable with most any situation, I actually felt a little out of my league in these dealings. And then yesterday I remembered a sage piece of advice The Silver Fox once gave to me, he said,

"Do what you are good at, and let others do the same." That one liner makes so much sense to me. Of course! Apparently I am good at designing jewelry, so why don't I let someone who is good at dealing with the media do just that. Enter stage left... Gillian Behnke. Publicist to the stars. I had the good fortune of working with Gillian several years ago when I was managing VIP/Celebrity relations with a local company prior to having my daughter. I dealt directly with the likes of Goldie Hawn, Sharon Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lopez, Busy Phillips, Jaime King, Keenen Ivory Wayons, Robin Williams, Will Ferrel, Sarah Michelle Geller, Freddy Prinze Jr., Chris Klein, Linda Cardellini, Alanis Morrisette, Michelle Williams, Kurt Douglas, Kate Hudson, Diana Krall to name just a few. I know how amazing Gillian is at her job and I know careful she is with the smallest details, so handing over my best interests to her was not only easy, but quite honestly a relief. I do need to pay debt of gratitude to Lianne Kerr of www.thoughtshop.com and Tanis Tsisserev of www.t2communications.ca. Both Lianne & Tanis offered this sister sage advice at a time when I was feeling overwhelmed. Both of these amazing women got me focussed with feet on ground, heart in hand, facing forward and directly into the path of my PR Guru Gillian. So my deepest thanks to this trio of brilliant beauties. How fortunate am I to be surrounded by open hearted women who are of the rarest kind... the kind that celebrate other women's successes rather than feeling intimidated or resentful which is kind of what our species has been known for over the years. Well, I am honoured to be surrounded by these beautiful, intelligent, career driven, and dedicated moms who like me, are all about spreading love and light into the world, one press release at a time. On that note, I have an early start tomorrow. I will keep you posted as the adventure continues to reveal itself. In the meantime if you would like to set up an interview, please contact my publicist. LOL I just had to say it... clearly I am kidding, but what a riot.

love & light,

t.

Luck Is A Matter Of Preparation Meeting Opportunity.

Happy 2011! Just as I was sitting back marveling at what a fantastic year 2011 was going to be, the phone rang. Well,not really. Actually I got an email, but it was a TSN Turning Point kind of email. Let me preface this by saying when you do something you love and you do it because it is what your heart tells you to do,although not everyone will understand why you do it and that is just fine as long as you believe in what it is you are doing. When you have spent ten years creating something you love and working hard to get it into the retailer market, the home show circuit, donating it to copious amounts of different charities & fundraisers, regularly giving it away to friends and sometimes even to strangers, in the hope that eventually the right person will see what you have created, and maybe, just maybe, one day it will lead to the right person seeing what you have created and it will inspire them to send you a TSN Turning Point kind of email. The email I received this past Thursday was indeed that TSN kind of email. So much so in fact, that I kept looking around waiting for Don Cherry to show up at my front door. The email was from a Stylist in Los Angeles that is responsible for sourcing the contents of the VIP gift bags that are being given to the Nominees, Presenters and Celebrity Stylists at the Oscars this year. Indeed, the right person at the right time found their way to my website, liked what they saw and contacted me with confirmation that they would like to invite me down to participate in this years Academy Awards Style Lounge. The Style Lounge is where the celebrities gather to do a little free shopping. Although I am absolutely stunned, flattered and honoured to be invited, and just to know that this year I am beyond excited to have my jewelry included in the VIP gift bags,is going to be enough for me this year. I have decided to graciously decline the invitation to be present, rather I will spend my time from this point forward preparing to attend next years awards circuit. You see, once you are 'in' the circle you are invited to sponsor other awards shows such as Grammys, Emmys, Golden Globes, ESPNs, American Music Awards, CMAs, the list goes on and on... So now is the time I get myself prepared before I launch my brand on such a grand scale. So 2011 is the year I learn more about the marketing aspect of my business. I have spent the past ten years laying the ground work by working my brand, sending as much love and light into the universe while protecting my karma and now the universe has listened and provided me with this opportunity. As you know I am inspired by Oprah and many of her words deeply resonate with me. One of her quotes that I hear over and over in my head is this: "Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity." - Oprah. I believe that when we follow our passion and step into the world with our deepest authenticity, we are preparing to receive the next opportunity that will innately further our journey along it's way to take us to the exact place that we belong in any given moment. Today I am giving thanks to all of those people who believed in me and encouraged me to follow my passion and to dive into my creativity. To those people who purchased my work when I was still figuring out my mediums, thank you for your support. Eleven years ago when I was seeking jewelry for my bridesmaids to wear at my wedding. When I was unable find anything that I liked or that suited me and my girls... it was two of my 'Moons' as I referred to my bridal party at the time. I had four women in my bridal party. Each of them 'represented a season of my life' as I had known it up to that point... each season has a new moon... you get the picture I am sure... Sorry I digress... So anyway, two of them, My Wise Old Indian(who will be referred to as 'Big City in all future blog postings) & The Princess, suggested I make my own jewelry. That suggestion triggered an action in me that has led me to today. I need to thank them both for believing in my creative ability even before I did. As a gesture of thanks, I promise that whenever I hit a red carpet, you will be on either side of me... but no one else is allowed to have their hair up. ;) a little inside joke for My Moons. Please sign up to follow my blog. I will be posting updates as this journey reveals more little twists and turns everyday. I am giving an interview tomorrow with one of our Canadian publications! I will tell you how it goes in my next post. Love & Light, t.