Meet Mac McFadden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mac McFadden.

Hi Mac, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Elemental Moon Arts is a woman-owned business focused on crafting wearable talismans and charms to harness your power in everyday life.

I focus on crafting adornments ranging from metal-smithed jewelry to hand-printed patches. My inspirations are typically sourced from folklore, the occult, our sublime Earth, and celestial bodies of influence.

This business started as a hobby in my basement in 2019.  Once the pandemic began in 2020, I officially launched Elemental Moon Arts. As of 2022, my products are currently in two retail locations, and I plan to continue advancing this career until it reaches the stars and caresses the Moon.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Teaching yourself a craft and new skill always comes with a learning curve and there’s no exception when it comes to silversmithing.

While learning this craft is very rewarding, the materials I use include precious metals and gems that are expensive and sometimes one of a kind. That means the smallest mishap can cause an expensive mistake. But with that said, because these mistakes hold such a monetary weight, I have found myself learning exponentially faster.

Every small slip-up causes me to hone my skills and avoid past slip-ups with much more consciousness. I find that while it’s a cliché, there is a lot of truth in saying we grow through our past errors.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of the very first pairs of earrings I ever made was back in high school. I recycled old brass charms into a pair of earrings and wire-wrapped quartz crystals. At the time it was a simple way to bring some of the magical items that made me feel empowered around me on a daily basis.

Right before the beginning of Elemental Moon Arts, I found myself making a pair of these same earrings for a friend. That’s when I thought: Maybe I could make a few more pairs so more people can harness this everyday magic. The result of this realization was Elemental Moon Arts’ first mainstay piece- the ‘Selene’ earrings.

My business is all about finding and bringing your magic with you in a physical object that you can use to adorn yourself. There is power in the objects we don and what we choose to wear is a talisman for power, protection, or whatever we appoint it to possess.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The industry of jewelry making has been becoming more accessible to people over the past few years.

It is very exciting to be in an industry where more people are adding their voices and visions to the conversation. As a folk craft, we all learn from other makers as well as ourselves. I hope to see more adventurous, new makers emerge as more people flock to this art form.

I do not expect this art form of embellishments to lose its grasp on humanity. Since the beginning of recorded history, we have felt the need to express ourselves and alter our appearances. More people creating jewelry will diversify the very idea of wearable art.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: ElementalMoonArts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ElementalMoonArts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mac.ElementalMoonArts/