• Edinburgh jewellery making experience
• Edinburgh gift experience
• Edinburgh creative experience
• Edinburgh jewellery workshop
• Edinburgh creative workshop
• Edinburgh make your own jewellery
• Edinburgh therapy support
• Edinburgh craft therapy

The Project

MAK:MIND is the brainchild of jewellery designer Renate Kriegler Edwards and a community outreach project of the Edinburgh-based 3D design agency 3D Creative Workshops. Through this project we will offer subsidised one-to-one precious jewellery making experiences to people from all backgrounds based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Pending funding, the project will culminate in a public exhibition showcasing the creative outcomes of the project and, more importantly, celebrating changed lives.

The project title MAK:MIND is derived from the Scots words mak for making and mind for remembering/ reminding/being mindful, and also a play on the expression to make up one's mind.

Clients will enjoy the opportunity to design and participate in the crafting of their very own sterling silver and diamond pendant, with the specific intention for this amulet to celebrate and remind them of a recent decision to change something in their own lives. We believe that the making process will help to cement such a milestone, whilst unlocking creativity may further empower individuals on their new journey. MAK:MIND hopes to achieve this by offering a safe and appreciative space, lots of one-to-one support, a soft and therapeutic medium, plenty freedom for individual creative expression and just a little challenge in the techniques to be mastered.

MAK:MIND seeks to celebrate those moments when we come through hard times with a clear vision and a strong commitment to manifest change in our own lives. We want to reward and encourage individuals who assume responsibility for their own happiness and well-being. As such, we seek to partner with Edinburgh-based psychotherapists who would be happy to refer rehabilitated or otherwise successfully discharged clients to our unforgettable creative experience to mark this moment in their lives.

3D Creative Workshops have already invested substantial amounts of time and resources in the development of this project and are now in the process of applying for funding to offer subsidised experiences to the unwaged. In the meantime, revenue generated from serving paying clients will contribute to our setting up costs.

We invite proposals for partnerships from local government, institutions, businesses and individuals, around the themes of mental health, craft and creativity. We are particularly keen to hear from partners who may assist in any aspect of the public exhibition.

Why MAK:MIND

You could say MAK:MIND rose from a personal crisis. For some time now I've struggled to make sense of my trade as jewellery designer and goldsmith where the money seems to be in bespoke luxury products for the whimsical wealthy, and my creativity is stumped by a market flooded with cheap, fast and frivolous fashion jewellery. I have had to sit with this feeling and search for new meaning in my life, work and jewellery.

The meaning of jewellery
Traditionally, jewellery is made of precious materials - that is raw materials and objects that are rare. As such, jewellery isn't just arbitrary adornment, but powerful cultural - even religious - objects. Let's look at the wedding ring, for example. A wedding ring serves as:

a symbol of the giver's love and commitment,
a signal to others that the wearer is married,
a reminder to the wearer of the commitment and love in times of difficulty,

and then, secondarily, the materials and amount of materials used exhibit financial status which may translate into power, whilst the design may signal that the wearer belongs to a particular cultural group, or perhaps has trendy taste.

The meaning of work
I believe that it is possible to enjoy work. I enjoy working hard when the work:

is a means to a specific end goal,
feeds my curiosity and desire for surprise, and
feels meaningful and serves my spiritual and moral ideals.

I have learned that a degree, a career, money and even paying bills are not end goals, but simply possible means to an end. Then, strangely, it was really hard to establish what the end goal is. I now have a list of things that I would like to accomplish for the sheer joy of it, so I am ready to enjoy working hard again.

The meaning of life
This is not a topic for me to preach about! I just want to demonstrate that MAK:MIND came about during a period of existential searching. Whilst pondering the meaning of work and jewellery, I realised that I need to establish these in my life, based on what I believe and aspire to right now. I also remembered that I am responsible for my own happiness and well-being, and that I have the power to choose whatever gives me joy. Finally, after a lot of thinking in circles, I realised that the meaning only comes into being when I act on the thoughts; I had to choose a course and take the first step!

Along comes MAK:MIND
MAK:MIND is both my first step and a culmination of all these lessons learnt recently:

It is about meaningful jewellery - that serve to celebrate, symbolise and remind of life changing decisions made.
I get to use my skills in a meaningful way. The project serves my higher ideals which include sharing knowledge and quality time with others.
I hope to demonstrate that creativity is a basic human trait, and that unlocking it may be hugely empowering to individuals seeking change.
The project celebrates and rewards the courage of people who take charge of their own lives through positive choices.
It sets me on a path of discovery, learning and surprise - all things I desire more of in my life.

I cannot wait to walk on this path with you!

Renate Kriegler Edwards
Edinburgh, December 2015

Participate in MAK:MIND

Have you recently made it through some hard times and reached an important turn-around point in your life? Have you made up your mind about something, decided to do or change something or made a big promise to yourself? Then we would love to hear your story and help you mark and remember this moment by crafting your own unique sterling silver and diamond pendant.

Who may participate?
Absolutely anyone! We hope for a great diversity of participants to represent Edinburgh. MAK:MIND is an Edinburgh-based project - for now anyway - so we would prefer it if you lived in an EH postcode or are otherwise involved in the life of Edinburgh, for example working in the city. Participants under the age of 16 should have permission to participate from and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during all meetings and activities relating to MAK:MIND. No previous design experience is required. It will be like working with play dough - no mess, no fuss; the only challenge being the small scale of precious jewellery. Whilst our process presupposes reasonable eyesight, hand skills, literacy and access to the internet, for example, we are happy to offer additional support where possible, or you may bring your assistant if you have one. The MAK:MIND team can communicate with you in English only, but you may bring an interpreter if you wish. We will meet all participants individually and in-person at a public central Edinburgh location. Optional group sessions will be on offer for those who take a little longer or need extra technical input to complete their design.

Subsidised participation
MAK:MIND is in the process of applying for funding to offer hugely subsidised experiences to the unwaged. All clients wishing to participate in the subsidised project should apply through their accredited psychotherapist and should have concluded their course of therapy. MAK:MIND does not employ any qualified psychotherapists and therefore regretfully cannot offer to support ongoing therapy. Please note funding for subsidised clients has not been secured yet. Your therapist may contact us now and we will add you to our waiting list for when then funding comes through.

Can't wait?
While we are launching MAK:MIND, the experience is on offer at a preferential rate in return for participating in our pilot project and allowing us to document and subsequently display our shared work as part of the MAK:MIND project. In order to fund our setting up costs whilst applying for funding, we may also accept clients who would rather pay the full market rate to enjoy the experience without contributing to the project outputs.

Outcomes
Pending funding, the project will culminate in a public exhibition showcasing all pendants produced throughout the project, alongside some photographs and stories. Inclusion in publicly distributed materials and participation in the exhibition are mandatory, but clients may opt to be represented anonymously. Whilst we retain copyright over all photographs, drawings, printed materials and digital outputs generated by us, you are the outright owner of your own design and your pendant is yours to keep. All we ask of you is to share with us your story and allow us to showcase your work.

Calling Edinburgh Therapists / Counsellors

MAK:MIND seeks to celebrate those moments when we come through hard times with a clear vision and a strong commitment to manifest change in our own lives. We want to reward and encourage individuals who take a step towards assuming responsibility for their own happiness and well-being. As such, we seek to partner with Edinburgh-based psychotherapists who would be happy to refer rehabilitated or otherwise successfully discharged clients to our unforgettable creative experience to mark this moment in their lives.

We will offer your client a safe and appreciative space, lots of one-to-one support, a soft and therapeutic medium, plenty freedom for individual creative expression and just a little challenge in the techniques to be mastered.

The MAK:MIND team are jewellery designers, goldsmiths and project managers. The project does not employ any qualified psychotherapists and therefore does not offer to support ongoing therapy. We hope to attract individuals who have concluded their course of therapy with accredited psychotherapists based in Edinburgh. To this end, we now invite suggestions and comments from psychotherapists regarding our project and process, and how they may be willing to partner with us. Completing our survey will automatically enter you into a lucky draw to win a mystery prize. It will be worth your while, promise!





Please note that funding for subsidised experiences to the unwaged has not been secured yet. Your feedback and/or pledge of support at this time may benefit our funding application.

While we are launching MAK:MIND, the experience is on offer at a preferential rate in return for participating in our pilot project and allowing us to document and subsequently display our shared work as part of the MAK:MIND project.

In order to fund our setting up costs whilst applying for funding, we may also accept clients who would rather pay the full market rate to enjoy the experience without contributing to the project outputs.





All therapists contributing to our project through feedback or partnership will be kept up to date of the development of the project if they wish, and receive an invitation to the conclusive public exhibition planned.

Thank you so much for your interest in MAK:MIND. We look forward to hearing from you.

Support our project

MAK:MIND is in the process of applying for public funding towards certain aspects of the project. Pledges (financial or in-kind) from partners in the meantime will increase our chances at succesfully attracting all the funding needed to realise MAK:MIND.

We are seeking partners or funding in the following areas:

A lucky-draw prize for our launch survey of Edinburgh-based psychotherapist - e.g. dinner for two at a local restaurant
Advertising channels aimed at psychotherapists / counsellors working in Edinburgh
General PR
Central Edinburgh venue and refreshments for client meetings - e.g. a coffee shop
Shopping vouchers as a token of thanks to participants agreeing to have their protraits used in electronic/printed project materials - We anticipate the need for 50 of these
Edinburgh premises for our jewellery production process
Jewellery casting services
Sterling silver - especially Fairtrade, Green or Eco silver (with the option to upgrade to 18K gold if the client wishes to)
Jewellery finishing equipment - list available on request
Jewellery finishing consumables - list available on request
Hallmarking - Sponsor Mark registration - Kindly sponsored by the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust
Sterling silver chains
Diamonds - around 0.10ct RBDs
Diamond setting
Jewellery presentation boxes
Gallery space in Edinburgh - preferably for a month around middle 2017
Jewellery display cabinets rental/on loan for our exhibition
Photo editing
Design of exhibition catalogues, invitations, etc.
Printing of exhibition materials
A lucky-draw prize to incentivise participants in returning their pendants on loan for the exhibition
Courier services
Insurance
Legal counsel

Our supporters will be recognised on all printed and electronic materials distributed by MAK:MIND.

Please contact us if you could assist in any of these requirements in any way, or if you have any partnership ideas.

You don't need to become a partner to support us; anyone can support the launch of MAK:MIND right now by buying the MAK:MIND experience. 33% discount on offer!


Thank you so much!