Divergent in Mind was born towards the end of 2020.

Pictured above, C.J. Doxtater, 2019

The following year over the end of year holidays, I was creating jewelry as gifts for friends. As I packaged each gift up I couldn’t help think of how proud I was of each and every friend of mine. I became so emotional with pride because of all the growth each and everyone of my friends have been putting into themselves throughout this entire pandemic. It was so inspiring I want to continue to provide space for people to feel their sense of pride in their accomplishments. 

Identity

I noticed that almost all of the pieces that I had created had some form of fidget-movement-sensory aspect to them. Which at first I thought was pretty funny because I identify as a neurodivergent person and I love fidgeting! 

Neurodivergence: term for when someone's brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered "typical." Has been used as a larger umbrella term to capture the co-morbid symptoms that often overlap neurodivergence experiences.

So it only made sense to continue with intention behind each piece. Because I want to create functional jewelry for others like me that love to fidget. I want to keep neurodivergent folks at the front of my mind in my decisions to create and sell my jewelry. Which is why I think it is completely fitting to name my store Divergent in Mind. 

Purpose

My purpose for this store is that you feel connected to the Divergent in Mind community whether you’re buying a piece for the sensory aspect, a growth milestone, or because you like the style of jewelry I have created. I want those with neurodivergence to see themselves in my store. 

Intentionality

When you buy a piece of jewelry from Divergent in Mind you are getting an original piece with very specific intention from me to you. I believe in the power of intention and passing that intention on to others. There is more to each of my pieces than metal & resin.

I continue to learn about the ways in which different types of materials have been used in the past and present. I research ways in which the materials I use have been used through other ways of ancestral ways of knowing to combine into the pieces for an even more unique intentional experience.

I take the time to understand how and why the different colors, organic & inorganic materials that go into each piece were used by others. This is to ensure that the way in which the jewelry is intended to be used matches the intentions for the piece. Through this research it has opened new doors for me to connect with my own environment, within nature and community.

Starting today we are proud and celebrating the small wins, especially when they take a lot of energy to complete. Lets work together to create a stylish, one-of-a-kind reminder for a milestone you’ve accomplished or continued growth you’re working on!

Vulnerability

Let me be very vulnerable here - outside of my passion for creating jewelry... this nightmare-ish, capitalistic hellscape is very hard for someone like me with significant neurodivergence to navigate effectively. Especially since most of the diagnosis needed to get proper help didn't come until adulthood. I don't want to go broke and homeless so I have a baseline of needing to exist to continue to push me to be and do better. 

Novelty

I found myself enjoying all the aspects of creating different pieces of jewelry. It led me to find fun UV resin crafts and has created ever growing interest in the craft. There are so many different ways of creating the same piece of jewelry!

I continue to develop my current skills and search out new ways of creating to continue to produce better quality pieces for everyone. Often times there is somewhat of a learning curve with each technique often because each technique comes with it's own set of language and tools. That's a part of the joy for me, learning and growing. 

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I'm so glad we've found each other.

Cody Warner
Owner | Divergent in Mind