Cynthia Horrigan
Meet Cindy, the jewelry designer of Ochre Objects. We spent a day at her DTLA studio, took some photos and asked her a couple questions.
What service do you get?
Signature lash set and brow lamination.
Do you have any personal care/grooming rituals you’re loving right now?
I like to keep it pretty simple- cleanser, serum, moisturizer and always SPF. Just doing this quick routine every morning and night is really soothing and grounding though, especially when I’m feeling particularly stressed or overworked. I also love a hot bath when I really need to unwind.
Can you tell us a little bit about your creative process when you’re designing new pieces/collections?
I usually start out a new idea or concept in my sketchbook, I tend to obsessively draw out ideas and make lists until I feel like a collection is starting to take shape around a particular idea or concept. Then I start carving pieces out of wax and let the initial sketches evolve once they take shape in 3 dimensions. I like to design pieces that play off of each other and stack together so often I’ll start with one piece and then design the next one to sit perfectly with the first one and so on and so forth until I have a cohesive collection that can be worn in different configurations and arrangements.
When you’re feeling uninspired, what kind of spaces or experiences renew your sense of energy and inspiration?
If I’m feeling really uninspired I like to get out of my studio and take in other forms of art, whether that’s a movie or a show at a museum or gallery. I have a pretty extensive collection of art books as well so I’ll flip through those or take myself to a book store— there’s a particular art and architecture bookstore called Hennessy + Ingalls in the Arts District that I really love, I can spend hours there. If I’m feeling burnt out I also love to take myself to the Korean Spas and soak the day away.
What are you excited about this year? Any personal goals or adventures you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to achieving more of a work life balance this year, I’ve been really focused lately on prioritizing my mental and physical health and putting less pressure on myself to be constantly productive. I’m also hoping to travel a bit, I would love to go back to Mexico City.
I’m also looking forward to experimenting more with my work, I really want to put out more one of a kind designs and take more visual risks with my designs.
What’s a typical day in your life like?
I usually wake up and start my day with a walk in neighborhood with my dog, Steve. Then coffee and breakfast followed by a workout of some kind— I have a Peloton so usually a spin or yoga class. Then I either work from home answering emails or I head to my studio to fill orders, meet with clients or run errands in the jewelry district with my suppliers.
I’m really into cooking right now- currently working my way through Molly Baz’s cookbook so I usually end the day by cooking up something and then reading or watching a show- I just finished Jeanette McCurdy’s Book I’m Glad my Mom Died and binged this show on Hulu called Fleishman’s in Trouble— highly recommend both.
We talk about food a lot. Have you been anywhere exciting lately?
I love this new spot Dunsmoor in Glassell Park. I think about the cast iron cornbread I had there daily.
