Meet Kendra Dodge of Earth Cycled Designs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Dodge.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kendra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
This all started when I was a kid, growing up in Minnesota. We spent a lot of time at our cabin on the Mississippi and every spring the river would rise and flood our property. To everyone else in my family, this meant weeks of back-breaking work and miserable days spent shoveling mud out the front door into the yard. I was young enough that I didn’t have to do any heavy lifting, my job was to just stay out of the way. So, with lots of time to wander in the woods, I became a professional treasure hunter. The floodwaters carried the most amazing gifts! I would return with pockets full of buttons, coins, fishing lures, shoelaces, tree bark, bones, shiny rocks, hardware, you name it. As I collected, I repurposed my findings, sometimes wearing them, sometimes gifting them, sometimes, creating something completely absurd. Today, my process is essentially the same. I still like to think of myself as a professional treasure hunter. I find joy in bringing new life to objects that are ready to serve another purpose.

Has it been a smooth road?
I’d say I’m still in the first mile of my road. And sometimes the road looks more like a patchy trail that vanishes under brush from time to time. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy it. In fact, that’s the whole thrill of it all. When I regain my sense of direction I feel excited and validated. If I didn’t feel confused or unsure from time to time, it would be an awfully boring journey.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Earth Cycled Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
I design and create jewelry from materials that have been discarded. This means that every piece has a story from a previous life. Maybe it’s recycled silver or an overlooked gemstone from a thrift store necklace. The time that it takes to hunt down materials and the uniqueness of each piece is really what adds value to my designs.

When I tell people what I do, I see the wheels start to turn. Almost everyone has a broken bracelet, or a special rock, or an earring that’s lost its mate sitting in a box at home. I love collaborating with customers, especially when I get to incorporate an item they already love. Usually requests to repurpose an item come from a place of sentiment, and I am always humbled and honored to be asked to help.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
In some ways, my entire business is luck based. By nature, repurposing materials means I am limited in my selection. I get what I get, and sometimes it’s not a lot. Other times I hit the jackpot with one find.

Contact Info:

• Website: EarthCycledDesigns.com
• Email: hello@earthcycleddesigns.com
• Instagram: @earth_cycled_designs

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