Re-imagining Materials

Bringing new purpose to objects left behind.

"Artists make things in response to the spiritual, mental, emotional vibrations that are all around them. And the end result is art."

- Ben Caldwell

Earthwhile Collective (EWC) is an art and natural science collaborative effort with a mission is to encourage creativity, resourcefulness, and environmental awareness through experimentation and the transformation of reclaimed materials.  EWC was formed on the basis of curiosity for our natural world and the understanding that conscious practices are necessary to reduce human-induced impacts on our natural resources. We aspire to stimulate imagination through connection with our surroundings, while also promoting mindful artistic practices.

Our goal is to encourage creativity and promote sustainability by reimagining found objects and discarded manmade materials that would otherwise make their way to our waterways or landfills.  We aim to motivate others to rethink consumption in their everyday practices and exercise their creative potential through collaboration and networking opportunities.

With a little inventiveness, anything can be given a new purpose. Our evolving collection of handcrafted products range from unconventional personal accessories and garments to one-of-a-kind home accents that are pieced together from both natural and manmade remnants. All components used in our products are ethically sourced, personally salvaged by us or donated by others. 

As lifelong learners of the natural world and near-forgotten crafts, committed to exploring new uses for the abundance of discarded materials, the fruits of our studio are constantly evolving.

Repurposed materials ::

Although considered an integrated component of the environment, humans can be an unnatural, external, and often destructive force on natural ecosystems. Through the continuation of non-sustainable practices, anthropogenic influences significantly impact all ecosystems on Earth as resources are continuously consumed and rarely replenished. Reducing, reusing, and repurposing are three methods that we can apply to help us be mindful of our ecosystem footprint. With a little imagination, viable materials can be repurposed into practical and fashionable items. 

Mirrors ::

The mirror is a form of esoteric symbolism that alludes to the higher purpose of our spiritual reflection. Our reflection demonstrates the consequences that our actions have brought upon us and shows us everything in our life that we have created for ourselves. In order for us to honestly evaluate ourselves and the world we have created around us, we must view our current reflection with an enlightened mind. Whatever we view in our personal spiritual mirror is currently the truth of the world with which we have created around ourselves. Use this piece to remind yourself (and others) that the mirror simply reflects truth and honesty. Be true to yourself and to your surroundings.  

Nature treasures ::

As inhabitants of this earth, nature continues to surprise us. Relics of living plants and animals, as well as non-living matter, are all products of this earth that should be treasured and preserved. Nature brings out the best in us- we create one of a kind pieces to remind the wearer of the importance of our natural world.  

Crinoids ::

One of the few existing “living fossils,” crinoids are an extant group that date back as early as the Ordovician period.  Relatives of the echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins and sand dollars to name a few), crinoids resemble an underwater plant that created forests on the floor of the shallow seas at their height during the Paleozoic Era. Although most species are sessile and attach themselves to substrate, many are attached only as juveniles and become free-swimming as adults. Crinoids are a very common find because of their abundance during fossil formation, and are some of the oldest on the planet (~450 million years old)! The most encountered remnants are stalk fragments, which are usually found in creeks throughout Tennessee. This unique item consists of ancestors of our currently living crinoid species, so we proudly utilize these remnants in support of geologic history and evolution.