The Symbol of the June Bug

Ricky Hodge’s first tattoos were done by none other than himself. Initially, his plan was to tattoo the majority of one side of his body, while leaving the other completely blank. Eventually though, he felt something was missing. Perhaps it was balance. Ricky made a bold move: he found an artist to tattoo the center of his throat. The imagery he chose comes from his childhood in rural Texas: a June bug. A close friend noted to him that this tattoo is a symbol of his voice to the world; it’s also a marker that things have fallen into place. It’s symbolic of promise, staying positive, and of being kind to the people around him. It’s a reminder. In short, the ornamental June bug is emblematic of evolution, and progression. Ricky is a vibrant person, with an energy and aura about him that is strong, and unique. This tattoo demonstrates his story.

Ricky and Scott were introduced to one another through a mutual friend. They maintain an admiration for one another’s work, and decided that a jewelry collaboration would be a unique way to marry their kindred creative spirits. The Hodge Collection is composed of three gorgeous pieces:

1) a simple, silver signet ring which features Ricky’s junebug logo
2) a lithe leather bracelet, which contains the junebug logo on a silver buckle
3) a bolo with a metal chain slider, featuring the junebug logo on the tips.

Each piece is ornamental, stylish, and also simple. This latter aspect is key for Ricky: each piece can be featured in a variety of unique ways into his (or anyone’s) fashion. Each of the three pieces is a bridge to human connectedness, and self expression. Ricky hopes that wearers can use these items to express themselves, and their unique stories --for the June Bug to become their reminder.

The background of these two men is quite different. And yet, they have found a beautiful connection through artistic expression by way of Scott’s fine jewelry. Ricky Hodge is driven by human connection, and self expression. Ricky has a background in motel ownership, cosmetology school, spin instructing, travel, fashion, and social media influencing. He’s lived a lot of life. He pursues connection through hair styling, which occurs by appointment only. A key component of this work is his relationship with his clients --each appointment is a safe space which is ideal for long conversations. Ricky stated --rather warmly-- that “we all have a story.” He loves hearing people’s stories, and sharing his own. Ricky doesn’t view this job as a stylist as work. It provides joy, and he loves the relationships it enables him to cultivate.

Scott, similarly to Ricky, has been heavily influenced by a desire for human connection, and self expression. At the end of the day, these two elements boil down to storytelling. For Scott, storytelling comes, in part, from nature. Wild places have weaved themselves with his soul through his growing up, and later as a husband and then father. These places include the Pacific Northwest, and mountain ranges like the Wasatch, Uinta, and Wind Rivers. Scott’s jewelry tells a story of his experiences with his family in these sacred spaces. In creating beautiful pieces of fine jewelry, it is Scott’s goal to share these experiences through their physical representation upon the jewelry. This is where Scott’s ideals in the jewelry working process line up with Ricky’s ideals in fashion: storytelling.

In addition to this pursuit of human connectedness, Ricky is also fueled by outward self expression. This is something that he finds through an exquisite sense of style, and artistic tattoos. Ricky’s original signature look consisted of a bow tie, rolled jeans, and his signature handlebar mustache. His style, and his career on social media, took off after posting Get Ready with Me videos on Instagram and Tik Tok during travels. Ricky has a knack for pairing unique items of clothing, and accessories, to express his inner self.

For Ricky, jewelry is a key component of putting an outfit together. Jewelry completes the outfit: “It’s a take on who you are as a person. It’s an accessory. It’s a small intimate piece that tells a story. It starts a conversation. I always think of my friend Betty --she’s 85, and she gave me her pearl necklace. That necklace is a connection to her, and I wear it a lot.” For Ricky, fashion is a way to tell the story of himself. He was born with a natural creative ability. His fashion has evolved with his surroundings --he describes himself as a chameleon, as he feels confidence in changing with his environment. Ricky’s story is one of self invention. His life has been one continuous yarn. However, that narrative has been characterized by distinctive chapters, in which he has actively [re]invented himself. He is in the pursuit of being as organic to himself as he can. He said, “I tend to be myself. It’s a vibe more than anything. I’m not trying to be someone else. I want to be me. There are layers in the way I dress, similar to the way there are layers in life.” Ricky’s self-perception has changed over time. Ricky stated, “ I’ve grown into being comfortable with myself, and my fashion expresses that outwardly.”

For Scott, this collection represents a bold, but understated departure from his typical collaborations. He’s excited about this unique opportunity with Ricky, who doesn’t have as large a foundation in the mountains as he does. Ricky provides potential for new eyes, and a new experience. Scott said, “fashion is so personal. I love the way that Ricky has been able to incorporate our pieces in a way that works in his life. Jewelry is amazing, because you can dress it up, or down. Pieces look so different based on how you accessorize. It’s this customization that promotes expression.” Ricky is a master of customization, and it’s this talent that has helped combine Scott’s nature focused jewelry, with Ricky’s powerful inner voice.

As Ricky said, “We all have a story.” Both Ricky and Scott have become more comfortable sharing their own, by way of finding confidence in their inner selves. Outward self expression comes as we go through the process of finding that self love. This expression can be manifested through our dress, jewelry and accessories, and in the wild places we explore. What is your story? And how do you express it? Scott and Ricky hope that as you wear the June Bug found on the Hodge Collection pieces, it will serve as a reminder to find your voice and find your story.

Follow Ricky’s story on IG at: @rickyhodge
Follow Scott’s story on IG at: @scottjamesjewelry

Article written by Tyler Marshall