Finding a use for all that tacky costume jewelry your grandmother had seems impossible … or is it? All it takes is a little creative ingenuity to turn an old accessory into an eye-grabbing piece for the center of your wardrobe. Michelle Kendrick, founder of the Strong Girl Inc non-profit, recently started a new side project, called Recycled Rings. Reusing old pieces of jewelry, she hand-sews and embroiders unique “gems” from thread, beads, and wire.

Would anyone really wear something like that? Apparently so, since her first collection sold out in a matter of days. Not only a testament to the beauty of recycling vintage materials, Recycled Rings is also proof that taking a risk and following your curiosities is more than worth the personal investment of time and money. Read on to find out more about the approach behind Recycled Rings, its environmental message, and what the future holds for the brand.

What inspired you to start sewing rings?

Michelle Kendrick: I was in a fibers/fashion studio class last semester at school where my teacher had us explore many different materials. I started embroidering over everything I made and really got into it. One of our projects was to buy a trench coat from a thrift shop and completely reconstruct it so that it was unrecognizable. I really enjoyed this process and started looking for other items to reuse. Rings were my first choice, but being so busy in school I was only able to make a few sketches of ideas in my sketchbook for several months because I did not have time on my hands to start a new project…until summer came and the rest is history.

The front page of your site mentions blood diamonds and harmful mining methods - are you looking to make a clear environmental statement with these pieces?

Michelle: I am not looking to stand on my soapbox and tell people what to do, I just want to spread a bit more awareness. While I am very interested in environmental issues, I am even more interested on a human level how harmful mining, especially diamond mining, can be to people. Aesthetically speaking, I do think diamonds are beautiful objects, but for me personally, the cost of them and the importance people place on these rocks is hard for me to put my mind around, especially knowing how other people suffer so much to extract this material from the earth. This can be said of many things our society values, I just happen to be focusing on this right now.

Your other business, Strong Girl, helps to empower women of all ages with confidence. Do you plan on adding a green element to this endeavor as well (i.e. selling organic cotton shirts … etc)?

Michelle: Ideally I would like to once I (hopefully soon) sell the large amount of inventory I have accumulated!

With your first line of rings selling out in days, do you plan to expand to other types of recycled jewelry as well?

Michelle: Yes, I am going to start reconstructing/recycling necklaces, broaches, and earrings in addition to doing custom work.

The question on everyone’s mind: when will more rings be available for sale?

Michelle: I just posted four new rings on the website and I have more on the way. They take me a long time to make and I am in graduate school right now on top of it all, so it’s hard to find the time! It is also important to me to enjoy the process of making the rings, so I do not want to turn into an assembly line.