Hello all! I came back from the Clasp conference so inspired by the people I met and the conversations that I had. I am planning on driving around the country this winter to establish store accounts, explore gem mines, caves, hot springs and.....research industrial processes that have application to the jewelry industry and meet with/interview jewelers in their studios working with video and writing. I am pitching the concept to magazines and trade groups. I realized that there is alot of new technology out there that I have no clue about since I was trained very traditionally 20 years ago so I am going to self educate by seeing the processes in action as I don't understand as well by just reading about htem. I have talked to alot of people since and there seems to be a market for the edited information at the end of my journey aws a video or presentation at some trade conferences. I am talking processes like the powder enameling of the big trucks at the Peterbilt factory, waterjet cutting in the aerospace industry, powder metal depositing at the San Di National Labs.....if anyone has ideas of places for me to go or people for me to interview please pm me.
The other idea that has taken root was catalyzed by a participant at the conference who has asked me to come up to Ontario to teach a workshop so we are putting together this format. I would love feedback about the concept from everyone...and now ladies and gents my new incarnation as a workshop leader....drum role....


Creating your own Talismanic Workshop
Workshop concept:

In ancient times amulets and talismans were made and worn for specific purposes. They were imbued with the intention and focus of the maker. Whether it was to bless them with the energy of the animal they were hunting, heal an illness, or to protect from harmful intent each piece had a purpose aside from adornment. Their power came from a connection with natural forces and religious associations.
The belief that a person, if he/she knows how, can start some mysterious forces rolling that can direct and control will or health is very ancient. These forces are activated by spoken words, performance of ceremonies, and the use of objects charged with magical properties. They are not used with negative intent and only with blessings.
In this workshop we will learn tools to use in our creation process so that the finished pieces will take on a meaning and purpose that will enhance a good design and raise it from the mere ornamental stage to a place that evokes memory, reaction, bonding, and a sense of power to the wearer as well as others who view it.
In this context each workshop participant will be able to create a personal talisman designed to be wearable in our modern society. We will use found objects collected out in nature along with the pieces you bring with you that might already have an energetic connection or representation for you. Be it crystal, stone, bone, feather, wood...through circle ceremony and meditation each person will be led to find their inner vision and assisted in manifesting it into a wearable piece of powerful jewelry.
Any jewelry skill level is welcome. Please bring with you any hand tools that you use and wire, plate metal, beads, objects, sketch books that you might want to incorporate into your process.

Beth McElhiney has been a jeweler for over 25 years and is now from Martha's Vineyard. She is an award winning designer and accomplished silversmith. By tapping into her training in earth based religions and energy healing her jewelry transcends the ordinary and becomes an intimate object for her clients. She has been commissioned to do necklaces which hold healing for illnesses, memory boxes of those who have passed away, and "life" bracelets that are filled with symbols to represent the phases of the client’s life journey. Her fascination with ancient symbols and patterns has led to her current collection of pieces which feel ancient but are fashion forward and easily wearable in today's world.