Where do old skateboards go when they die? If Matt Mercurio has anything to do with it, they receive a new life. He recreates them into colorful jewelry and unique wall art. He was an artist and skater in his younger days while growing up in Orlando,FL. Life happened and for a time he left art and skating behind him. Then in 2006, he followed his family to Portland, Oregon. The community was filled with artists and skaters, igniting a new passion for Matt. Inspired by a few people making belt buckles from recycled skateboards, he set out to create his own pieces from recycled decks. Using a $17.00 pawn shop jigsaw and a disc sander he had used in the counter top industry, he started creating and hasn’t stopped since.

He now begins his process by collecting broken decks from several skate shops in Portland. Decks that can be salvaged are given to a friend who reshapes them so they can be reused by kids for their original use. For the broken decks, he removes the grip tape and residue and then starts creating. He looks for unique designs and drawings and makes a template to incorporate his favorite colors and designs.Each hand made piece is different from the last. His pieces are smooth, colorful and downright cool! Matt continues to be inspired by the handmade movemement and the potential of keeping skateboards out of landfills.

The best way to really tell you about Matt’s work, is to show you. Check out his designs. Great job Matt!
Visit his Etsy Shop Skatebird.
Visit his website here.