This past weekend, I took a little trip to the Adirondacks. The original plan was to watch a mountain bike race, but we managed to squeeze in a few other adventures along the way.
One took us to the Wild Center, where we got to see some of Thomas Dambo’s incredible larger-than-life trolls.
If you haven’t seen one of Thomas Dambo’s trolls in person, I highly recommend seeking one out. They are truly something to experience. Standing next to these enormous sculptures made from recycled materials is a reminder of just how much possibility can exist in things we consider trash.
What does any of this have to do with Cravn Jewelry?
Quite a lot, actually.
Seeing Potential Where Others See Waste
Thomas Dambo is known for creating enormous, interactive works of art from discarded and recycled materials. His work is rooted in the idea that recycling can be creative, imaginative, and even magical.
Rather than seeing waste as the end of something, Thomas sees it as the beginning of something new.
His work encourages people to explore, get outside, interact with art, and look at the world around them a little differently. His larger-than-life troll sculptures, many of which are made from recycled wood, have popped up in communities around the world.
And this is something that resonated with me.
On my visit to the Wild Center I got to see seven of these magical works of art and even found my “spirit” troll, Kamma Can.
Meet Kamma Can
Kamma Can is a creator.
Where humans see trash, she sees potential.
According to her story, the amount of colorful “eternity material” created by humans has grown rapidly over time. Kamma finds all of those colors and materials beautiful and she simply can't understand why humans are so quick to throw them away. Instead, Kamma sees possibilities.
She can imagine a million different ways to turn those discarded materials into something wonderful. And, as proof, you only have to look at the beautiful necklaces that hangs around her neck that she created for herself.
From Trash to Treasure
Kamma’s way of looking at the world is a lot like the philosophy behind Cravn Jewelry.
The materials I use to create Cravn pieces leather, cork, vinyl, and sometimes even ski gear often start out as scraps. They are leftovers from other makers, deadstock from fabric stores, or bags that the owner don’t want anymore. Materials that might otherwise be discarded or considered useless.
But I see something different. I see color and texture and unexpected combinations.
Most importantly, I see potential.
I take those discarded pieces and give them another life, transforming them into lightweight, jewelry.
That’s one of the things I love most about creating Cravn. A material that someone else might consider trash can become something beautiful, unique, and completely unexpected.
Just like Thomas Dambo’s troll, Cravn is about looking at something differently.
It's about asking, What else could this become?
A Little More Imagination
Our Adirondack adventure reminded me that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places a mountain bike race, a walk through the woods, an enormous recycled-wood troll, or a scrap of material sitting in a bin.
Sometimes all it takes is a little imagination to see the possibilities.
So the next time you see something that looks like it has reached the end of its useful life, take another look.
Maybe it isn't trash after all.
Maybe it can become something else.