At Reclaimed & Co. Jewelry, you won’t find mass-produced designs like those in chain stores. Instead, each piece is a unique work of art, crafted from vintage materials and found objects.
Store manager Leah McFarlane describes the jewelry as one-of-a-kind. Owner Love Wahlen, a Sturgeon Bay native, creates her pieces using items like vintage candy tins, Pabst logos, rosary beads, Roman glass, and Door County beach glass. The beach glass, a local favorite, is especially hard to find. Wahlen knows the best time to search: after a storm during the off-season.
“In the summer, you won’t find much because so many people are out looking,” Wahlen said.
Her necklaces often feature chains of different designs and materials. Sometimes, customers provide the materials themselves.
“Last year, a woman brought me her mother’s rosary,” Wahlen shared. “Her mother was a devout Catholic. I turned the rosary into three necklaces for her daughters, so they could honor their mother’s memory. Instead of keeping it in a drawer, they could wear it and carry her prayers with them.”
Wahlen takes on two or three custom projects like this each year, meeting with clients to understand what matters most to them.
“I love creating heirloom-quality pieces that are meaningful to my clients,” she said.
Her work often includes eclectic designs. One of her specialties is “sister earrings,” which are similar but not identical.
“They’re sisters, not twins,” Wahlen explained, pointing to a pair worn by McFarlane. “They’re the same shape and length but made from different materials. If classic pearl earrings aren’t your style, I have something unique for you. But we do have pearl earrings too.”
Wahlen began making jewelry in her basement 10 years ago while homeschooling her children. She started by gifting her creations to friends but struggled to sell them at farmers markets. Over time, she moved into retail spaces, starting at Monet’s Mansion behind 5th and Jefferson Coffee House, then to Park Place Mall on 3rd Avenue.
“Having the front space at Park Place helped me transition to this location when it became available,” Wahlen said.
Her current storefront was once the Greco Gallery, where she had previously displayed her work. The space is ideal, with room for her to create and for her children, who visit daily.
Over the past decade, Wahlen has built a loyal following. She keeps her audience engaged through social media, where she showcases new pieces and discusses her creative process.
“People love hearing about the materials and how I make the jewelry,” she said.
Most of her work is hand-cut, and she produces 100 to 150 pieces weekly. When she’s not crafting jewelry, Wahlen is involved with Write On, Door County, where she’s working on a memoir and participated in a women’s mentorship program last year.
“I’ve met so many amazing local women through it,” she said. “It’s opened a lot of doors for me.”
After the busy holiday season, Wahlen and McFarlane redesigned the store to create a bright, open space with wide aisles and mirrors placed every 3 feet.
“I wanted to make the space as free-moving as possible,” Wahlen said. “With winter jackets, it can feel cramped. I want customers to have room to shop and try things on.”
Two years ago, Wahlen expanded her creativity into sculpture for the James May Gallery’s Art of Water VII exhibition. Using metal and beach debris encased in wax, she created a striking piece.
“I’d like to explore more sculptural work when I have the time,” she said.
For now, Wahlen remains focused on creating jewelry that tells a story, turning forgotten objects into cherished treasures.
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