Reclaimed North: New Life for Old Wood

By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers

For Melissa Daul of North Minneapolis, the discard pile receives new life through her wood working business Reclaimed North.

Melissa started turning wood in 2018. Her first teacher was her father, a fantastic wood worker. Melissa’s focus quickly went beyond just making pretty things, “I wanted to have the ability to use cast offs, reclaimed materials, and other things that may be discarded.”  

Repurposed Missions

Every piece of wood that Reclaimed North works with has a story. A wooden table leg becomes a pepper mill. The tree that once held a tire swing, now serves guests through bowls and bottle stoppers. Even the morning’s egg scramble plays a role as the discarded eggshells and cleaned and kept to be turned into colorful resin pours for pen blanks. “We want our creative business to be a role model for sourcing as responsibly as possible to brings this objects to life.” 

Melissa loves the process of developing a piece. “Everything I make is one-of-a-kind,” shared Melissa. “It’s so fun how every piece has a story.” Melissa has enjoyed sharing her love of wood turning with her partner, Paul, who has recently been bitten by the turning bug.  Paul has been making beautiful pepper mills, salt and pepper shakers and candle holders.

Melissa’s greatest frustration is when her pieces sit idle. “I’m always surprised when people tell me they don’t want to use the pens I make because they’re ‘too nice’ or ‘too special’,” reflects Melissa. “Everything I make is meant to be used and enjoyed!”

Preserving Memories

Melissa welcomes commissions. “The process of collaboration, creation, and presenting the finished product is unique with each customer. Their reaction to the final product makes my day.” Melissa strives to make sure that the final product delights her customers. As her dad says, you are only limited by your imagination!

A favorite collaboration is turning the clothing of loved ones lost into custom pens that provide a sentimental and usable piece of art. These projects turn beloved mementos into an object that can be used. It brings new life to something that lost its original purpose. “I’m a sucker for sentimental value. I have branched out to include things like fabric from shirts of loved ones to make unique pieces that can be used and treasured.”

A Creative Community

Melissa appreciates the collaborative nature of the maker community. “I love the willingness to share! So many folks are happy to share what has worked (or not worked) for them as they’ve launched their endeavors.”

Browse Reclaimed North’s full selection of  beautifully detailed pens, bottle stoppers, seam rippers, bowls, pepper mills, salt and pepper shakers and other turned goodies on her Etsy shop. With the addition of a laser engraver to her woodworking equipment, Reclaimed North now offers customization in the form of names or short messages on their pens. 

Follow @reclaimednorth on Facebook and Instagram to see Melissa and Paul’s latest designs.

Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the small business owners leading Minnesota on a tasty sustainable path forward. Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.