I am delighted to present this interview with the lovely and talented Andrea Scher, a woman who has been a bright light in my life for many years.  This creative soul has been an inspiring beacon for people around the world and continues to add her own special sparkle to the world with her jewelry, photography, writing and now teaching.  If like were a gymnastics competition, she'd get a perfect ten from me!

[March 10, 2008]

I have given quite a few people your Superhero t-shirts as gifts over the years, and I always get the feeling that they are especially touched by this gift.  (I mean really, receiving a t-shirt that says "Superhero" is pretty cool!)  Tell me where your Superhero moniker came from...exactly what was it that made that light bulb sparkle in your mind?
It started out as a game with my friend Peter. He chose a superhero name for me, "Dre" (his was Petro) and we would only call each other by those names. He used to say, "You see Andrea, when you get in a sticky situation, you just ask yourself, what would Dre do?" It was like conjuring up the wisest, strongest, bravest part of yourself... and making choices from there.

When I started my jewelry company, the superhero theme came to mind. It occurred to me that if superheroes wore jewelry they would wear big, chunky, colorful necklaces like I was making. I also loved the idea of a piece of jewelry that had meaning for the person wearing it, that a person could actually feel stronger, braver and more confident with this object around their neck. Like a talisman.

and a little secret?
I bless each piece with all of these qualities... I know the peeps feel it. :)

Who are your superheroes?
My superheroes...

What makes you feel like a Superhero?
Connecting with my tribe of creative women
Practicing yoga
Dancing
Being a mom (although I feel less than superheroic at this!)
Painting, writing, taking photos, making things
Hiking
Being at the ocean

You are a painter, a photographer, a mom, a jewelry designer, a coach and a soon-to-be workshop leader...what is the thread that ties all of your amazing talents together so they all feed off of one another?
Oh... just seeing all of those words strung together make me feel a little shy...
It reminds me of something my friend's dad said to me at a wedding. "You better start focusing or you're never going to be successful at any of those things!"  I am haunted by the thought that I do too many things... that jack of all trades, master of none idea.

And yet, I am drawn to all of these things equally and feel like I am good at them.
They all contribute to me and my joy.

The thread that ties them together would have to be searching for the beauty.
Searching for the beauty in each moment with my camera, feeling the beauty and magic of color as I work with beads, helping others to recognize the beauty in themselves and in their lives (or to cultivate more of that) through life coaching, and then with being a mom it's really Ben teaching me to find beauty and joy in the tiniest slices of now.

You have a mighty impressive list of experiences that some people might call coincidences but really they are a combination of your own manifestation, intuition and maybe a sliver of divine intervention....the kind of stories that make people say, "NO WAY!!!" with huge smiles on their faces.  I think these stories help people believe in the powerful energy that exists within and between all of us.  Tell everyone your story of meeting Ben Harper on the bus.
It was about 10 years ago now and I was working at a clothing store in San Francisco. I was discussing Ben Harper's music with a customer and I said to him, "There are artists that you love and there are artists you want to meet. I want to meet Ben Harper."

A few hours later, when I finished my shift, I took a different route home. I decided I needed a little exercise and walked about 10 blocks out of my way to catch a different bus. As I hopped on the Fillmore 22, I noticed that Ben Harper was sitting right next to me. I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Are you Ben Harper?" I said, my heart thumping out of my chest.
"Yes I am."
"Wow..." was all I could manage at first. "I can't believe how fast the universe works. I just said a couple of hours
ago that I wanted to meet you and here you are..."
"That is really amazing...."
We introduced ourselves, chatted a bit and then I forced myself to actually get off at my stop and not pretend I was getting off where he was.

Not only does the universe provide, but at times it works so quickly. I think of this story when I want to remind myself of the magic.

What are some of the ways you think we can all tap into this energy?
Writing things down is powerful.
Speaking our intentions is powerful.
Sharing with friends is powerful.
Telling the universe (in whatever way feels right for you)
what you are wanting/needing/dreaming of is a powerful act.

I also believe that following your intuition is important...
and trusting yourself.

Are you working on any other dreams/desires/manifestations that feel outrageous or, to use a phrase you've created, mondo beyondo?
I am working away on my book dream! 

How do you refresh & rejuvenate your own creative energies?I do what I'm doing tonight!
Which is staying overnight in the city with my dear friend....
Girly getaways always fill me up and rejuvenate me. My girl
tribe is so inspiring and supportive and helps me to step away from
my life and get a fresh perspective.

Another way I refresh my creative energy is to have a little
adventure... this could be a new dance class, going to a cafe
to write in my journal, or going walking in a new place. For me,
doing anything off my beaten path feels like a little adventure
and is life-giving.

Thank you so much Andrea.  As always, your word and stories inspire me in many ways!!