About Wocus Pocus
At Wocus Pocus, we make heirloom quality bespoke jewelry and adornments. We specialize in hand stitched beadwork and shell jewelry for people of any gender, any age, and any cultural background who enjoy collecting fine jewelry and like to have fun with their unique personal style. We align with those who are passionate about owning handmade fine jewelry β those dedicated to keeping tradition alive.
Wocus Pocus was founded in 2018 by Cholena (CC) Wright as a hobby and has grown into a passion project that Cholena carries out in their spare time.the name Wocus Pocus, is a play on words of the well-known phrase βhocus pocusβ. The use of the word wocus is an ode to the Wocus (wokΙs) flower, a yellow water-lily that grows in the high desert marshes of the Klamath Basin.It is a nod to the magic of cultural continuity and indigenous survivance. The wokas flower has been used by the Klamath for millenia as a source of food, basketweaving, natural dye, and many other traditional uses. In the summer, the seeds are harvested, parched, hulled and eaten. The wocus flower is an important symbol of cultural continuity and a sacred plant to the Klamath and Modoc people.
At first glance, many people think the name is a play on the popular term woke -- used to characterize leftist and progressive politics in the US. While I welcome this association, the original intent is to honor the heritage of the Klamath Tribes and acknowledge the importance of indigenous plants and resources. Which, if you think about it, is pretty woke. :)
Wocus Pocus believes that tradition can be fun and dynamic, and can speak to the contemporary and modernIndigenous experience. Rather than focusing solely on tradition, we believe that Klamath tradition and history is living, and being made with every piece of jewelry or product.
About Cholena
Cholena, aka CC (they/she) is a third-generation artist and jewelry maker. They are the founder and principal artist at WOCUS POCUS. They take immense pride in the fact that their people, The Klamath, Modoc, and Northern Paiute have been artisans since time immemorial and work to carry on this legacy through their craft.
Cholena draws inspiration from family, community, and their culture as a Klamath, Modoc, and Northern Paiute person. They make jewelry from a variety of materials and techniques, but enjoy working with beads and shells. They often work with dentalium shells, pine nuts, and abalone.They use their artistic practice as healing and embodied sovereignty praxis. Cholena believes that working with traditional materials and designs is an exercise in self-determination, and a way to offer abundance and beauty to those who support them.
Cholena is a Klamath Tribal citizen from Mbosaksawaas, or what is currently referred to as Chiloquin, Oregon. They currently love and work in Portland, OR.
About Shalene
Shalene Joseph, AKA Shay (She/Her) is Aβaniiih, from Fort Belknap Montana on her mothers side, and Koyukon Athabaskan on her late father side.
Shalene comes from a family of artists on both sides, and that shined through from a young age! From coloring on the walls as a kid, to playing with all kinds mediums, Shalene found her way to beads and the occasional illustrated sticker.
Shalene comes from a sports loving, supportive, family centered, always down for a pow-wow no matter the distance and time, bunch. All of this plays a big part of her foundations in art, being told, βgo ahead, try itβ has been the words that have echoed through the years, and lead to the ever evolving love and appreciation for art in all itβs forms!