From Ashes to Memories

Death and taxes, the only two things certain in life. It's a sentiment that's been joked about for years but, unfortunately, is the truth. I'm not going to talk about the latter because anything 'crafty' with taxes is probably, well, illegal. Death is dark and sad. It wraps us up in misery that is hard to get over. The pain lessens slowly but I don't think it ever truly goes away but there are ways to help yourself deal with grief and to hold on to beloved memories.

I've had almost every type of pet that is legal where I live including sugar gliders, mice, gerbils, rabbits, love birds, chinchillas, ferrets, lizards, cats and dogs. Above is a picture are my two precious pups, Spike and Nikki. That picture was taken after getting to my sisters while evacuated during a wildfire, but that's an entirely different story. My point is, these two went everywhere with me; from college to college and, yes, college again (I've gone to school a lot), a trip across the country in an RV and by plane. They were with me through more than ten different housing changes. I got them together at about 9 weeks old and had them until Nikki was 14 years old and Spike was 16. I got them both cremated but I did not get an urn with Nikki because I was waiting for Spike to join her so they could both be together waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge. After Spike passed and I got his ashes back I started looking into a nice urn for them to be together and thus began another of my creative adventures.

I have always been a creative person and I enjoy painting, drawing, playing musical intruments and writing. I'm not saying I'm good at any of these things, just that I have fun doing them. While looking for something to hold my dogs' memories I came across resin cremation jewellery. I had already been working with resin and this piqued my interest. It was personal, something made by me and, possibly a small hobby on the side that I could share with other people. I liked the fact that it could be customized for anyone by colour, shape and setting.

I found a jeweller, watched YouTube tutorials, joined Facebook pages and learned what I could about creating this wonderful piece of jewellery that could carry your most precious memories. I created multiple pieces for myself with the ashes of my pups that I love and have since created pieces for others. I've made necklaces, rings and keychains that contain the ashes of both people and animals.

Each piece takes a long time to make for me and, being that I'm a perfectionist, sometimes needs to be started from scratch if I'm not happy with the final product. I have spent hours in my craft room pouring resin, sanding pieces, fitting them into settings. Although time-consuming I find it an escape from worries of everyday things like bill payments, work, or tax-time (had to throw that in there!). There is also the reminder when making memorial jewellery that life is fleeting and make the most of it now. Also, to know that I have been entrusted with one of someone's most beloved and sacred possession is humbling. I have had people give me the remains of their partners, parents, children and pets. Me! A stranger! How can I not feel honoured and delighted to know that this small item that they carry around with them holds memories and moments that will not be forgotten and that I had the privilege of creating it for them.

We do not remember days, we remember moments. -Unknown