Meet Cody McMillen | Security Guard and Line Cook

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cody McMillen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cody, why did you pursue a creative career?
I wouldn’t call it a career, in fact, I specifically keep it as a hobby, but I’ve always been a creative person, making some sort of art. As a child and teenager, it was a lot of drawing, sketching, painting…Then I got into sculpture and the like. I was always making jewelry or other accessories for myself and over time the idea of making and selling pieces for other just bloomed.

I’m going to want to make stuff anyway, I might as well share it with others and make a little money in the process.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Keeping it about my craft…a lot of the general works I produce are actually very common in the world of small business crafts: wire-wrapped jewelry, woodwork, decorative items, etc…it’s folk art, really. I make folk art, truly; and what sets my work apart, I feel, is that I truly do MAKE things, I don’t just buy stuff from the craft store and assemble them.

While I DO obviously purchase basic materials as needed, like metal wire of cordage. I gather other, more rare things from places in the world. Mostly close by, here in DFW. But when I get a chance to go camping part of the fun is treasure hunting for crystals and stones and animal bones… owning one of my pieces may mean you are owning something truly unique.

And I really do MAKE things, with hand tools mostly. Lots of cold hammering to form metal, hand filing to shape wood, braiding cord by hand; I’m feeling and examining the piece throughout the making process, becoming very intimate with it, almost.

I make ART, not produce products.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m nit sure I could call it the best time ever, but my stomping grounds are in Deep Ellum. It’s where I’ve worked the past 6 years and I’m fairly familiar with the area. No shortage of amazing local spots to hide away from the Texas heat in.
Armoury is one such place, amazing vibes, cool and dark interior, great patio, great selection of booze and food, live music…there’s a lot of that in Deep Ellum for sure, and ideally my friend would be tajen somewhere different everyday, but Armoury is one of my comfort spots.

As far as other locales, that has to stay private. I know of some lovely little hidden nature spots, places out of the public eye where folk can just hang. But Dallas has grown too big in my 30 years, I cannot reveal those locations lol

Regardless, Dallas and the surrounding area have no shortage of sights both urban and rural.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents, honestly, my family in general. Myself and my siblings were and are encouraged to be our authentic selves. My parents gave me the space and freedom to develop myself as a creative person.

Instagram: @gravegoodsdtx

Other: Feel free to reach out to me via email: gravegoods@proton.me

Image Credits
all photos taken by me with my personal smartphone and are already publicly available on my Instagram.