Worn-out and discarded skateboards are being transformed into jewelry and unique art pieces by a Whitefish company that’s going the distance in the recycling arena.

Devin and Lisa Kelley moved from Phoenix to Whitefish about nine months ago, bringing their growing Recycled Skateboards International business with them.

Like many entrepreneurial startups, RSI started with one brilliant idea.

Two years ago, Lisa, an avid recycler, offered to join her husband in building a birdhouse from recycled lumber for their young son’s school fundraising project. When Devin couldn’t find any scraps at a box store that routinely has bins of odd-sized wood pieces, he found inspiration from an old skateboard in the back yard.

He cut it apart, leaving the scratches and scrapes as part of the charm, and built a birdhouse. It was a huge hit at the school auction — and the seed was planted.

Not to be outdone by her husband, Lisa contemplated products she could make from skateboard scraps and came up with an earring design.

“I wore the earrings out [to an event] and three people stopped me,” she said.

Soon they were making earrings, bracelets, belt buckles, lamps and other items from scrapped skateboards. Leaving the graphics, nicks and scuffs on the boards makes each piece one of a kind.

The couple had seen other artists make things from skateboards, but no one was featuring the graphics and the wear and tear on each board, they said.

Most skateboards are constructed from seven thin layers of maple, which adds an artistic and textural element to RSI products.

The Kelleys’ connection to the skateboarding industry has been an integral part of their success. Both of them have been avid skateboarders for many years.

“When our oldest son was 4 we built a ramp in the backyard,” Lisa said.

At first they tapped into Cowtown Skateboards in Phoenix, a popular skate shop that continues to collect old skateboards for the Kelleys. RSI has recycling bins all over the United States and locally at Spirit Skate Shop in Kalispell.

Several skateboard manufacturers send their blemished boards or boards that have been scratched or misdrilled to the Kelleys as a way to further market their brands.

“The manufacturers take care of shipping,” Lisa said. “They sought us out and they’re hip to recycling. For them it’s free advertising.”

RSI recently announced a partnership with professional skateboarders Marty Murawski and Cooper Wilt, who will serve as brand advocates for RSI.

“I’ve gone through hundreds of boards in my 20 years of skateboarding,” Wilt said. “I’m proud to be working with people who find such great uses for an otherwise destroyed piece of wood.”

Recycling is a crucial component for the Kelleys.

“Two million skateboards end up in landfills each year, just in the U.S.,” Lisa noted. “We’re reducing the carbon footprint of skateboarding.”

Once the Kelleys have made what they can from the discarded boards, they pack up their scraps and ship them to an artist in Phoenix who further uses the wood.

“Nothing goes to waste,” Lisa said.

The Kelleys rent shop space alongside Whitefish Skate Ramp Co., owned and operated by Brendan Rohan. Rohan shares his computerized router and other equipment needed to produce RSI’s products. RSI has one employee based locally and another in Phoenix. The Kelleys also have hired a sales representative based in California.

“The goal is for Devin not to go away for work anymore,” Lisa said.

Devin is an independent audio engineer who works at large venues such as the Super Bowl. While he’s on the road, he skateboards as much as he can.

They had vacationed in the Flathead for several years before deciding to relocate to Whitefish. Their sons, ages 8 and 12, now “live” at the Whitefish Skate Park during the summer months.

RSI products are sold at 22 shops around the country. Locally the art items can be found at Sappari and Chill, both in Whitefish.

For more information, go to www.recycledskateboardsintl.com or visit RSI on social media sites such as Pinterest and Facebook.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.