Sterling silver, 24k Gold
In 2018 I received an email from Shavone, who had some questions about a monarch locket I'd recently made. We had several pleasant exchanges regarding the length of the chain and the addition of a little plaque inside that read "In Memory of Maggie" But I didn't know the WHY behind her selection of this piece- I didn't know why it resonated.
Once she received the pendant, she let me know the significance of it, and her story absolutely rocked me.
When I asked her recently if I could share it, she said this:
"You are more than welcome to share my story. It will help ME to remember it! Every time I wear my locket I feel that she is with me. Her courage and strength has never ceased to amaze me."
This beautiful story gives me goosebumps. Here is the original email Shavone sent me when she received her locket.
"Received my beautiful butterfly and am thrilled! My niece Maggie lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis at 19 and asked us to remember her every time we see a butterfly.
I saw the first butterfly on a cold November day in Bosnia Herzegovina (on the day she died), under a statue of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje. I felt such a sense of peace when that creature flew by. I knew she was in a better place.
The amazing thing is, I did not know at the time about her wish to be remembered when spying a butterfly!
I was not expecting any miracles on my pilgrimage to Bosnia, nor am I a particularly religious person, but I will never forget the moment when the Blessed Mother made sure I knew she was in the arms of a loving mother again.
Upon returning to the US I told my bereaved sister in law about my experience. She gasped and then told me what Maggie had asked of her. My sweet Maggie was buried in her butterfly pajamas with her butterfly quilt.
Miracles do happen."
A good friend of mine (who also happens to be the talented artist behind my logo and marketing materials my) contacted me when her good friend lost her pup Daisy. She wanted to surprise her with a memorial pendant.
We both felt this sweet photo of Daisy gazing up lovingly at her mom was the one to go with.
I created a black and white outline from the photo and then created a stamp that I could use to impress the sterling silver with Daisy's likeness.
Pets are family and it is so hard to have to say goodbye to them. It can help to have something to touch, a tangible way to keep their memory close.
Sterling silver and Etched Copper
One of my very best friends in the world contacted me with an idea. She was in Germany as part of her doctorate program, apart from her beau for 6 months. She wanted a ring that could split in two, so each of them could wear a ring when they were apart. She wanted the Catalina mountains and skyline in Tucson AZ, where they met.
Little did she know, her beau approached me to make these same rings, so I "forgot" to respond to her and instead sneakily planned this rings with her gentleman friend.
Little did I know that he would use these rings to propose.
(She said yes)
I love love!
Etched Brass and Sterling silver, Glass, Soil
Memento Mori, a latin phrase that means “Remember You Must Die” 🖤
When this customer contacted me, she wanted a unique take on a reliquary. She'd found an image from a tattoo artist named Medusa Lou with a skull surrounded by flowers and butterflies. She felt this was the perfect reminder to live life to the fullest.
I contacted the tattoo artist for permission to use her work, which she granted me, and then I got started on the piece!
Etched brass and sterling with soil she collected from her grandparents yard set under glass.
This was such a meaningful piece to work on!
Sterling Silver and 24k Gold
My cousin (actually a second cousin? Or second cousin once removed? My mom's cousin's kid. I can't figure these things out) contacted me for a pair of earrings "with Grandma Kane's signing off.." and I was happy to oblige, because I just love jewelry that incorporates handwriting. She wanted to present these earrings to her mom for her birthday.
She had an old letter from her grandmother, that started with "My Dear" and ended with "Love and Kisses, Me." It was how she always "signed off"
I adore this type of work.
Sterling Silver, 18K Gold, Lavender Chalcedony
This piece was created as a birthday gift for my client's mother's 80th birthday! A flower with her children and grandchildren's signatures on the petals.
A Unique, touching and unforgettable gift.