Tag: Memorial Jewellery

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Keeping Memories Close: Handmade Pet Replicas & Memorial Jewellery That Last a Lifetime

There are some bonds in life that never truly leave us.

Whether it’s the soft pitter-patter of paws around the house, the comfort of a familiar presence, or the unconditional love only a pet can give — those memories stay with us forever. And when the time comes to say goodbye, finding a way to hold onto that connection can mean everything.

That’s where my work began.

I’m the maker behind Willow-Shea | Forever In Fur, a small UK-based business dedicated to creating deeply personal keepsakes — from lifelike pet replicas to memorial jewellery designed to keep your loved ones close, always.

🐾 Pet Replicas – More Than Just a Memory

Each pet replica I create is carefully handmade using needle felting techniques, designed to capture the unique look, character, and soul of your pet.

These aren’t mass-produced items — they are crafted from your photos, with attention to the tiniest details:

  • The tilt of their head
  • The colour variations in their fur
  • Their expression — the part that makes them them

For many of my customers, these pieces become a comforting presence in their home. A way to still feel close, even after loss — or simply a beautiful way to celebrate a beloved pet who is still very much part of the family.

💍 Memorial Jewellery – Forever Close

Alongside pet replicas, I also create memorial jewellery under my Forever Close collection.

These pieces are designed to hold:

  • Ashes
  • Fur
  • Hair
  • Even whiskers

Carefully set into resin and preserved forever inside elegant jewellery designs.

Each piece is handcrafted with care, sensitivity, and respect — because I know these aren’t just materials… they are part of someone deeply loved.

From subtle pearlescent finishes to designs inspired by night skies, sand, or soft natural tones, every piece is made to reflect your story.

🖤 Handmade With Meaning

In a world full of fast, factory-made products, there is something incredibly powerful about owning something handmade — especially when it holds such personal meaning.

Every order I receive is treated with the utmost care and compassion. I understand the trust placed in me when creating memorial pieces, and I never take that lightly.

🌿 Why People Choose Handmade Keepsakes

Many of my customers come to me during emotional times — and what they’re really looking for isn’t just a product.

They’re looking for:

  • Comfort
  • Connection
  • Something that feels personal and real

Handmade keepsakes offer something truly special:

  • No two pieces are ever the same
  • Every detail is considered
  • Every piece tells a story

✨ A Piece of Them, Always With You

Whether it’s a small pendant worn close to your heart, or a lifelike replica sitting proudly in your home, these keepsakes are a way to keep those we love close — every single day.

🛍️ Explore My Work

You can browse my handmade creations here on The British Craft House, where each piece is made to order with care, love, and attention to detail.

If you’re looking for something truly personal — something that goes beyond ordinary jewellery or décor — I’d be honoured to create a piece just for you.

Because some memories deserve to be held onto forever.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

🌸 The Benefits of Resin Memorial Jewellery

ashes blank for resin

When it comes to memorial jewellery there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some people are drawn to the depth and luminosity of glass, while others prefer the look and qualities of resin. Both materials offer their own unique benefits, and ultimately the right choice comes down to personal preference.

 

In this blog, I’ll share some of the reasons why many people choose resin memorial jewellery.

✨ 1. A Perfect, Polished Look

Resin jewellery often starts with machine-made blanks — ready-made rings, pendants, or other settings that include a space designed to hold resin. When ashes are added to the resin and set within these blanks, the result is very polished and uniform.

For some people, this “machine perfect” finish is exactly what they want: sleek, smooth, and flawless in appearance. Handmade jewellery — like ashes in glass pieces — carries the subtle character of being crafted by hand. Neither is better or worse; it’s simply a matter of whether you prefer the perfect uniformity of resin jewellery or the individual personality of handmade pieces.

🎨 2. Clear, Customisable, and Inclusive

Resin can be crystal clear, allowing ashes and other inclusions to be visible in a very distinct way. It also allows for decorative touches such as colour, glitter, petals, or even hair, because resin does not require heat. This means anything combustible can be included, whereas materials like hair or delicate plant matter would be destroyed in a kiln. Many people enjoy this versatility and the creative possibilities resin offers.

💎 3. Consistent, Flawless Appearance

Because resin is added into precision-made blanks, it results in a very consistent and flawless look. The smooth finish gives the jewellery a sleek appearance that many people find appealing, especially if they value a neat and uniform style.

💷 4. Affordability (Though Not Always)

Resin jewellery is often more affordable than glass or other handmade options, particularly when created using ready-made blanks. This can make it a great choice if you’re working with a tighter budget.

That said, some resin pieces, especially from established makers or with intricate designs, can be expensive. Prices vary depending on materials, brand, and design.

🛍 5. Wide-Ranging Styles

Resin is widely used in jewellery making, so there is a large variety of styles available, from simple to elaborate. This makes it easier to find something that matches personal taste and style.

🌿 Choosing What Feels Right

At the end of the day, resin memorial jewellery has many benefits — from its polished, uniform appearance to its versatility, ability to include delicate items like hair, and wide range of styles.

For me, I specialise in ashes in glass jewellery because I love the luminosity, depth, and permanence it offers, and I handcraft every silver setting myself. But whether you choose resin or glass, what matters most is that your jewellery brings you comfort, meaning, and a lasting connection to your loved one.

Posted on by

🌟 5 Reasons to Choose Glass Over Resin for Memorial Jewellery

When it comes to memorial jewellery, many people don’t realise that ashes can be set in different materials. While resin is often used, I choose to work with glass — and here’s why I believe it makes the most meaningful, lasting choice for your jewellery.

1. ✨ Luminosity and Depth

Glass naturally catches the light in a way resin cannot. It has a luminous quality, almost like looking into a gemstone, giving the ashes a beautiful depth and glow.

2. 🔥 Permanence

When ashes are fused into glass in the kiln, they become part of the material itself. Resin, on the other hand, is a type of plastic that may yellow, scratch, or deteriorate over time. Glass is stable, permanent, and built to last.

3. 🌿 A Natural Material

Glass is made from natural elements, while resin is a synthetic product. For me, using glass feels more respectful and in tune with the idea of creating something meaningful and enduring.

4. 🛠 Handcrafted Uniqueness

Every glass jewel I create is slightly different. The way the ashes react in the kiln creates a one-of-a-kind pattern, meaning no two pieces are ever the same. Resin often looks uniform and can be poured into standard moulds, but glass offers true individuality.

5. 💎 Timeless Beauty

Glass has been used in jewellery for thousands of years. Its clarity and beauty don’t fade — instead, it becomes a timeless keepsake you can treasure forever.

Choosing glass over resin means choosing a material that honours your loved one with lasting beauty, strength, and light. Every piece of ashes-in-glass jewellery I make is handcrafted with care, so you can carry your memories with you always.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

✨ How I Make Your Ashes Jewellery

ashes kit

Creating ashes jewellery is a deeply personal and meaningful process, and I treat every piece with the greatest care and respect. Each jewel is carefully handcrafted in my UK studio — no two pieces are ever the same. Here’s how I make your memorial jewellery:

🕊 Step 1: Sending Your Ashes

When you place your order, I send you an ashes collection kit. Inside, you’ll find a small tin where you place a tiny amount of your loved one’s ashes. This ensures they are kept safe and secure on their way to me.

✨ Step 2: Preparing the Ashes

Once they arrive, I carefully clean and prepare the ashes. They are gently sprinkled onto kiln paper, ready for the glass to be placed on top.

🔥 Step 3: Fusing with Glass

The ashes and glass are then fired in the kiln. This process permanently bonds the ashes with the glass, capturing them in a way that brings out light and depth. Unlike resin — which is a form of plastic — glass has a natural luminosity that reflects the spirit and beauty of your loved one.

💍 Step 4: Handcrafted Silver Setting

I create the jewellery setting in sterling silver, entirely by hand. I don’t use prefabricated blanks or mass-produced bases. Instead, I fabricate each setting myself, ensuring it perfectly complements the glass jewel.

🌿 A Unique Keepsake

Once the glass jewel is set into the silver, your piece of jewellery is complete — a unique and lasting keepsake that holds your loved one close.

Every step of this process is done with respect, care, and intention. By choosing handmade glass and silver, I can create jewellery that is not only beautiful but also meaningful, designed to last for years to come.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

A Brief History of Memorial Jewellery

Memorial jewellery is experiencing a resurgence of popularity in recent years, giving mourners a chance to commemorate and celebrate their loved ones after they have passed on. This stunning subset of the jewellery genre creates wearable pieces which infuse ashes or hair into a special resin or polymer, available in a selection of different styles and colours to match the preferences of the wearer.  

Yet this style of jewellery is not new and commemorating a loved one with cremation jewellery or memorial jewellery has a long history.  

Turning to the past  

While for many, the concept of memorial jewellery may be new, jewellery designed for mourning is part of a long tradition. It really took off during the Victorian era, when symbols of a loved one who had passed were something which was treasured and even expected to be seen in everyday life.  

There are many reasons why this was such a popular jewellery style during this time, but most pertinently, it was a time when life was considered both precious and fragile. Sickness and death were considered part of life, and they were also regularly seen by all sections of society. A challenging and rapidly developing world led to poor working conditions, and plenty of dangers in the home.  

Mourning jewellery, as it was known to the Victorians, therefore provided a way to commemorate the lives of those who had died, keeping them close in the form of beautiful jewellery. Of the pieces which survive today, many have the distinctive characteristics of Victorian jewellery, with ornate adornments and the use of gold and silver. Inscriptions were also a key part of this jewellery style.  

Modern memorial jewellery  

The modern take on memorial jewellery is at once more classic and streamlined and reflects the changing tastes of customers. At Nicky Robin, our designs come in a range of different colours so you can select something you’ll want to wear time and again – and each hand-crafted piece is made lovingly, infusing the ashes or hair of a loved one who has passed on to create a one-of-a-kind design.  

Modern technology helps in other ways, too. In addition to being able to order your piece and send inclusions via the post, all items are shipped free of charge (UK only) on completion. This is a process quite different to the one which a Victorian audience would have expected, but again shows the evolution of these stunning pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, lockets and charms.