DECEMBER. Z. 2W JUStjOUt, 1?
northwest
Not Your Run-of-the-Mall
Jewelry Store
Beaverton has rapidly expanded in the past few
In addition to custom creations, A’kasha is also
A’kasha is an ideal venue for holiday shopping. It
one of five jewelry retailers to sell LifeGems. In the
is also an official retailer of the Until There’s a Cure
words of Smith, “LifeGems are the perfect way to
jewelry line. A’kasha designates the proceeds of any
“I’ve always wanted a coffeehouse, but I’m total
ly new to owning my own business," said a slightly
years. A’kasha The Fifth Element, the newest gay-
remember a loved one or to
Until There’s a Cure product as an
owned jewelry store to open in the once quiet sub
build a living family tree.”
unrestricted
urb, is contributing to the town’s transformation.
LifeGems are created from the
business
donation
to
Our
House of Portland. Although many
Yet there was one dream Thompson left un
fulfilled until April—entrepreneur.
overwhelmed Thompson. “But I’ve been pulling
shots at home since the ’80s.”
A’kasha’s co-owner Steven Smith is a 2003
carbon of people or pets.
alumni of the Gemological Institute of America’s
Customers may create a dia
graduate jeweler program in Carlsbad, Calif. Prior
mond with a lock of hair or the
to relocating for graduate school, he was the co
cremated ashes of a loved one.
owner of a small retail store in Oregon City. He
The biological debris is sent to
entered the jewelry industry by starting a gemstone
a laboratory, and a diamond is created through
A’kasha the Fifth Element is in Beaverton at
"Touchstone is a way for me to reach back with
collection at age 10.
a scientific process similar to the process found in
12602 S.W. Farmington Road. For more
the Portland queer community and other commu
nature. The price of a lasting memory is compara
information
ble to the price of a traditional diamond and may
www.akasha.zoomshare.com.
watch
retailers offer Until There’s a Cure
Thompson has a list of attributes she loved about
products, A’kasha is the only
Touchstone and hopes to preserve—namely its role
vendor in the Portland area that
in the community as a neighborhixxJ gathering spot.
has designate».! Our House as a ben
She has invited several community groups with envi
eficiary of the money.
ronmental roots to hold meetings at the coffeehouse.
call
503-643-5101
or
visit
be created in a variety of colors and cuts.
According to Smith, “A’kasha is not your run-
Touchstone Takes Two
What qualifies serial outdoor hobbyist Karen
Thompson to run her own business?
casting and precious metal clay workshops.
Her love for coffee, naturally.
Thompson,
a 46-year-old Northwest
and is offering kxise leaf tea. She also plans to create
a garden in the shop’s large yard in the summer.
The new decor is based on her own affinity for
earth tones.
But two derails from Touchstone’s past will
a dedicated patron of Touchstone Coffee
remain unchanged—the presence of baristas Bilyeu
House, a lesbian-owned establishment in
and Tiffany Richardson.
Northeast Portland.
Touchstone mainstays who were hired to help
Both were original
ensure the success of Thompson’s pursuit.
equipment in April from Becky Bilyeu,
The location will also draw in the old shop’s
Thompson had several careers. She was
customers. At 445 N.E. 70th Ave., it’s just six
a forester for the federal government, an
bkxzks from the original location.
aquatic ecologist, a hydrologist and an envi
ronmental planner.
The lesbian outdoorswoman also keeps her
Touchstone Coffee alum Tiffany Richardson (left) and
Karen Thompson, the shop's new owner, hope to
entice a late-night crowd into the neighborhood joint.
like the spot to draw an evening crowd of tea drinkers
native who resides in Ridgefield, Wash., was
Before purchasing the business name and
A’kasha co-owner Steven Smith is contributing
to a suburban social consciousness.
Thompson also has a few of her own inventions
she’d like to try out on the local clientele. She would
of-the-mall jewelry store." In addition to unique
jewelry from local artisans, it offers metal smithing,
nities I’m interested in connecting with,” she said.
self busy with a variety of activities including
A grand opening event is planned for Dec. 21,
with promises of giveaways and live music.
For more information call 503-262-761 3 or
visit www.touchstonecoffeehouse.com . ©
cross-country skiing, kayaking, photographing
nature, backpacking and playing guitar.
By J edediah C havez and J aymee R. C uti