Legacy and Memorial Creations

Legacy is the concept of what we leave behind. It may be security for our families, a lasting contribution to the world, a piece of art that showcases our hands upon it, or - most powerfully - a memory that makes someone we loved smile and leaves them feeling a little warmer in the cool absence of our presence. Through out history, Legacy (or Mourning) jewelry and other items have been used to hold a piece of our most cherished people, keeping them close to us. Much of Mourning Jewelry was in the form of rings, brooches, and necklaces that showcased protective images or symbols of the deceased. Moving toward the Victorian Era, there was a shift towards containing an actual element of the deceased (their hair, a tooth, or the cremated remains). In Modern Era, it is common to find Ashes spun into molten glass, compressed into artificial diamonds, or hidden inside closed jewelry.

The work I do here is about allowing Death to step out of a place of shame - to transform it into a celebration of life. Each time we look upon one of these pieces, we see them held within in, facing the world and being a part of it even after they have passed on.

Everything begins with a conversation. We sit down in a meeting and talk about both who the deceased is and who they are to you. I get to know and understand your stories and what it is you hope to reflect in the work. Perhaps, it will be symbols from a shared passion that joined you in life, or it will be designs based upon your spiritual path.

The method of housing the remains (whether ashes from cremation or hair), will vary depending on the piece to be made. In the case of jewelry or sacred tools, I start by crafting the item from the raw materials. I will mill and carve wood - melt down and cast silver - twist, hammer, shape, and transform each material. Once ready, I will take the processed ashes or hair and inlay it into each piece. The mixture will be soaked through with a glue that hardens and creates a water proof barrier (the item itself may not be waterproof, such as something made of wood). The inlay is shaped, sanded smooth, and polished.

How are the remains processed?

First, once I receive the remains, they are blessed and sanctified for the work to be done.

For hair, I will clean the sample and then trim or cut it into pieces to fit the design. In the case of Ashes, they are ground down in a mortar and pestle before being mixed with the desired inlay materials in careful proportions. These inlay options include things like: Sand taken from a place significant to you and the deceased; Mother of Pearl; Fossilized Dinosaur Bone; Crushed Gemstones like Turquoise; Crushed Opal; and other options upon request.

To begin the process, place a deposit here.