Upcycling Bike Parts

Flagstaff High School teacher, jeweler, environmentalist and avid cyclist Ava Miller has found her niche recycling bike parts, including tubes and spokes into fashionable earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Miller says her business, Velo in a Jar, was inspired by her father’s love for cycling. Her early years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were consumed with bikes. “My dad raced bikes, so growing up we traveled every weekend to a race.”

Miller began crafting jewelry in the basement of her family’s house. She tinkered with nail art, woodworking, painting and sea glass from Lake Michigan. “I was always experimenting but nothing ever stuck.  When I moved to Flagstaff, I lived in an apartment with several cyclists and there were always bike parts laying around.”

She began taking bits and pieces and making earrings. “I didn’t think much of it, it was just an outlet at the time,” she said.

While working at Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters, her manager took notice of her jewelry. “He thought the earrings were really cool and told me I should consider selling them. So I got a few together and customers started to buy them.”

“It’s an awesome product and her jewelry reflects her personality,” said Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters Sales Associate Megan Van Pelt, who worked with Miller. “The fact that Ava’s jewelry is made from all sustainable recycled products is so great. Her funky and unique designs catch the interest of our shoppers. When I explain that Ava is a special education teacher, they love hearing about that. Often, buyers can’t decide what design to buy so they purchase more than one.”

The name of her business is a nod to her past French studies, as velo means bike. She also thought it was interesting that her bike tubes come in a jar; hence, Velo in a Jar. Her earrings take the form of feathers, flowers and interesting shapes. Her bracelets are made from bike spokes. She says her creations reflect the two things she loves most, mountain biking and the environment.

“When people are wearing my earrings, I realize what we can do with reused materials,” she said. “And seeing the second-hand purpose of things continually reminds me to assess how I’m using the materials in my life.”

Along with Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters, Velo in a Jar jewelry can be found at Art Loft Collective, Community Market, Farmers Market and Snow Mountain River (SMR). Beyond Flagstaff, Howling Cove Café in Bellvue, Colorado is another outlet.

“People are really stoked about the upcycle idea of the jewelry and it’s selling really well,” said SMR Manager Dylan Green. “From working in a bike shop and seeing how many tubes and chains we can go through, it’s cool that someone is turning garbage into something beautiful that someone can feel confident about buying and wearing.”

These days, Miller spends more time commuting on her bike than on the trails and she is looking forward to showcasing her work at the Bear Jaw Grin & Bear It Mountain Challenge Aug. 27 and 28. “I also play a lot of soccer, paddleboard and love to cook and garden and be out in the woods.” QCBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

For more information, visit Velo in a Jar at www.veloinajar.com, email veloinajar@gmail.com or call 414-943-2084.