An Interview with Taneisa, The Woman Behind The Opaque

October 31, 2017

An Interview with Taneisa, The Woman Behind The Opaque

We (electronically) sat down with Tanesia, the woman behind the successful and beloved online shop known as The Opaque. She is an incredible creator of crystal jewelry, curator of specimens, and the source for some of the most incredible crystal inspiration via her swoon worthy photography.

You can shop The Opaque at https://theopaquecreations.com

How did you initially discover crystals and how have they played a role in your life since? •••Well, I have always been a collector. Since I was a child. My mom likes to tell these stories of my brother and I bringing home pockets full of rocks. We would gather them from anywhere and everywhere. From the train tracks, creeks and even driveways! It wasn't until I adulthood that I discovered the metaphysical world behind crystals. I'm not as spiritual as some. Hard science still plays a large role in my every day life, but the idea that something so beautiful, created naturally by the earth, possibly millennia old, could help heal my emotions in ways that I couldn't do alone, was pretty life changing for me. I have struggled with mental illnesses for as long as I remember. Focusing on the metaphysical properties of a certain crystal is a way to keep my mind focused on that particular area I need to work on on that moment. It's spectacular really!
What was your vision for The Opaque when you started your business? Has it evolved over time? ••• When I first started The Opaque I made flower crowns and repurposed jewelry. I would find beautiful broken jewels, often times vintage and bring them back to life. I moved away from flower crowns pretty quickly because it wasn't something I was passionate about, but the jewelry stuck and I discovered that it was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. From there my passion grew. I'm self taught, so it's been tough at times, but totally worth it and I only keep growing in my skills. It's exciting really!
Tanesia modeling two rings from her Halloween line
out in her muse, nature.

You make incredible jewelry with some extremely unique and original designs. Tell us a little bit about what inspires you or something that you do for inspiration. ••• Inspiration usually flows just from gazing at and handling the stones/crystals I'd like to use in that moment. Sometimes it's color inspiration, sometimes it's more the shape or even texture of the stone/crystal. It's a very natural kind of progression. I also take a lot of inspiration from nature. Who doesn't?!
Crystal lovers seem to have really come together over the last few years in particular in the online crystal community. What is one of your favorite platforms online for crystal photos, information on crystals, interacting with other crystal lovers etc.?••• Instagram is by far my favorite platform for connecting with the like-minded. It's opened up so much for me socially! I have been able to open up in ways I never thought I could. As I said above, I struggle with mental illnesses, social anxiety being one. Although the new algorithm really puts a cap on the social growth that was possible before it was implemented. But that's for another time I suppose.
Do you have any rituals or habits that you practice/do when you are creating your jewelry, working with crystals for your website or photographing? ••• First I start by looking through all the crystals/stones I have set aside for the sole purpose of being turned into jewelry one day. I pick out what speaks to me and I take it to the floor where I honestly work 97% of the time! There I prepare everything before moving on to the metal work. When I'm at my work bench (it's actually an old kitchen table and a vintage pink upholstered chair, but work bench is just more to the point!) working on something, I'm almost always listening to music. Usually classic rock or the Album Cassadaga by Bright Eyes on repeat. When I'm photographing crystals or jewelry to upload to my shop, I'll just walk around my home grabbing up anything that I think would make a lovely prop that day. Usually frantically because I'm almost always a flustered mess.

Some completed pendants from Taneisa's Halloween line.
Her iconic Halloween creations feature both new
designs, and returning favorites such as her "Black
Cat Familiar" pendants.
Speaking of your photography, you share a lot of inspiring photos of your home that incorporate crystals in your personal space. What are some ways that you incorporate crystals in your home? ••• Honestly, I have crystals EVERYWHERE in my home! All my windowsills spill with them. They are in my bedroom, my bathroom even my kitchen! I suppose I don't really have any real method to any of it, just chaos as my husband would say. Although I often bring an amethyst into the bedroom to comfort me as I sleep.

A peek in to a corner of Taneisa's crystal adorned abode.
Describe your personal crystal style- what do you look for when you’re curating for your shop, picking crystals for your jewelry, or looking to add something to your personal collection? ••• For my personal collection I prefer natural crystals, meaning untreated and none-lab-made. I love towers, I have too many to count! I also really, really love crystal clusters. My heart is racing just thinking of it! When it comes to my jewelry, I like to open up a bit more. I love creating with aura quartz. Not only is it totally, mind blowing your beautiful, it's inspiring. It's almost immediate when I pick up an aura crystal. It's like they physically tell me what they want to be made into!
You’re a jewelry designer/maker. Tell us a little about your view of wearing crystals on the body. Is there any particular type of crystal or stone that you like to wear more often than others? ••• Funny, but I actually don't wear a lot of jewelry! I don't even wear my wedding ring except for special occasions. It's not that I don't have any, I have too much jewelry, I simply forget to put it on haha. When I'm creating though, I like to leave the back of the stone, crystal open so that the wearer can have stone to skin contact. I fee it makes the jewelry that much more personal and easier to connect with.
If you could recommend 3 crystals to someone, what would they be and why?••• First would be quartz. Clear quartz to be precise. It's the most abundant mineral in the world. It's an amplifier and it's the most powerful emotional healer! It's most certainly the king of my collection. Second would have to be amethyst. It's purple hues are calming and it's always been a favorite of mine. Third would be labradorite because it's not only wonderful for protection, it's pure magic. I remember seeing it flash for the first time and thinking "How on earth is this natural? How did the planet make such a material!". When I spend time gazing into a beautiful piece of labradorite, I get lost in my inner child. It's incredible, truly.
Crystal Goals: What is a goal that you have where crystals are concerned? ••• This is an easy one! I so, so badly want to save up enough money to go the the Denver Gem Show or, OH! The Tucson Gem Show!! One day!
What is something that isn’t a crystal that you like to “pair” or use with your crystals? ••• Definitely Tarot and Oracle. I'm addicted to buying indie decks. The art is amazing and you know exactly who you're buying from. I'm not the best at it as I never have the time to study, but it's a goal of mine to read like a pro!

One of Taneisa's favorite decks:
Oracle of Oddities by Black and The Moon.

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Tell us a little bit about your crystal collection. Do you always have the same favorites or do they change all of the time, do you have mostly small crystals/large crystals/or a mix?••• It's always changing. Although, amethyst is a steady favorite. Anytime I find a unique amethyst crystal, I buy it. I have to. It's a must! But my collection really does vary pretty drastically. I have teeny, tiny thumbnail specimens, rare minerals and on to large, rough quartz clusters. I'm not picky!

A small portion of Taneisa's crystal collection,
in good company with her house plants.
Do you have any particular way you like to organize your crystal collection? Why do you like this method?••• As I said before, my personal collection is a bit chaotic. They are everywhere in no real order, but the things I have set aside for creating with are all organized by likeness in vintage and antique printer drawers, baskets, bowls and laid out on desk tops. I can't put any of it away or else I forget I have it! Out of sight out of mind applies to me greatly haha!

Taneisa's antique printer drawers filled with crystals waiting
for inspiration to strike and creations to manifest.

***All photography was taken by and is property of Taneisa Thompson of The Opaque. If reposted, we ask that you Kindly give credit to her.