My story and my vision…

My name is Loretta and I am the one-woman-show that is The Prism and Pendulum. The Ringmaster (or, Ringmistress).

Why did I decide to create this business? Why combine circus, crystals, rocks, spirituality, and art? Why not just own a simple crystal shop?

To answer these questions you must hear my story, my journey, and my dream.

My story

Buddhism. Circus culture. Crystals and Rocks. Art. These are my passions and my interests. After retiring from a 30 year teaching career, I needed something to do. So why not combine all my crazy passions into a business?

As a practicing Buddhist, I've always had a keen interest in spirituality and enlightenment. I meditate, make mala necklaces, and learn about different spiritual practices. My great-uncle Roy McAndrews owned a circus: The Cole Brothers Circus. I’ve always loved the circus, freakshows, carnival acts, and oddities. It’s in my blood. I’m also a rock hound. In another life I would’ve been a miner or geologist. I’m fascinated by rocks and crystals. I love a good dig!

You can take the girl out of the circus, but you can’t take the circus out of the girl. This business is my spiritual circus. To me it’s not simply a crystal store. It’s a spectacle. An extravaganza. A celebration of all things spiritual, mystical, artistic.

My journey

While on a trip to Denver, CO in January 2023 my dream began to manifest. Visiting several crystal shops, metaphysical supply stores, and other unusual emporiums I felt a stirring in my soul. I fell in love with shops like Cat’s Eye Crystals, The Golden Rock Shop, Spiritways. I found my people in the oddities shop The Learned Lemur. Their concept of a monthly sideshow (The Conspiracy Circus) inspired me. I was energized to create my own space.

In my true all-or-nothing form, I dove head first down the rabbit hole, learning all I could about crystals, gemstones, tarot, energy healing, and so on.

After doing a bit of research, I discovered that the crystal and gemstone industry is rather corrupt and fraught with human and environmental abuses.  I saw an opportunity to be a part of the change of this industry.  I've connected with crystal mines, lapidaries, wholesale suppliers, and shipping companies (everyone along the supply chain) who share my concerns and we are creating a community to change the industry from within. I made a commitment to myself that my store would be part of the solution, not the problem. We would carry only ethically-sourced crystals that were hand-picked either by me or someone I trusted.

My idea began to grow bigger than a crystal shop.  Having an adult daughter who is a struggling artist and maker, I also recognized the need for a space that would showcase artwork by local and upcoming artists.  And a home to the sell the products of talented makers and artisans who create handmade and small-batch goods. My store would display and sell only items made locally, by hand, by makers and artists that I had a personal relationship with.

My dream

I live by the saying “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.”

My dream of The Prism and Pendulum is BIG. HUGE. SCARY.

My vision for this spectacle is to create a both a mystical marketplace and a diverse spiritual and artistic community.

The marketplace will carry a collection of artisan, handmade metaphysical supplies created by local makers. It will house a gallery wall full of works by local and upcoming artists. It will display spiritual jewelry and crafts designed by budding craftspeople.

We will host monthly gatherings, called Saturday Spectacles, where various spiritual practitioners, artists, craftspeople, and makers can perform and present their works. We can simultaneously entertain and educate. Tarot readers, psychics, aura photographers, clairvoyants, sound healers, reiki masters, jewelry designers, candle makers, and all sorts of artists. Think a new kind of sideshow!

I hope to bring a tiny bit of the circus spirit to my little corner of the world.