Keepsake bracelets for our annual Sister Trip

Three years ago, Bobbie, Sissy, and I met in Siesta Key to spread some of our father's ashes.  Since then, we have been meeting there in October for a sister trip.  Each visit, we bring some special gifts, in sets of three, so we have matching sister presents as mementos of our stay.  

This year, I wanted to share some of the bracelets I've been making, so I used my best, beachy colored beads in amazonite, turquoise, aquamarine, chalcedony, azurite, crystal, and added in moonstones, and pearls, to remind us of moonlit walks on the white sand beach.

But to add a very special touch, I had some blown glass beads made up with our Daddy's ashes.

I didn't even know this was a thing, until I was at a Montessori fundraiser and bid on a custom piece by Cremation Marbles.  That got me thinking about doing some extremely personal and sentimental additions to the bracelets I'd already made for the 3 of us.

On Vaughn's ( the artist) website, he asks to have a spoonful of remains mailed to him, but since I am nearby his studio, I asked if I could save postage and drop them by myself.  Not only did I save a few bucks, I was treated to a show and got to watch the whole process.

He makes a variety of projects, I'd bid on a pendant at the silent auction.  He was kind enough to let me get three beads in place of the piece I'd won.  They were so much fun to watch being made, that I ordered a couple of extras for my boys, to make necklaces for them.

Here is a colorful one for my son. I'll probably just hang it on a leather cord.  Vaughn made a couple of extra beads as a bonus too, those are a cobalt blue and I'll make a necklace for my grand fairies from those.

Blown glass colors can come out randomly and change with the heat of the flame and the kiln, so I knew that the beads he made for the sister trip might not be all the same.  But they sure turned out perfect!  I love our Gulf of Mexico Blue beads, the shade is ideal.

Don't the tones of the glass blend beautifully with the stones?  I'm so pleased with Vaughn's work, and loved meeting his cute little family.  And I hope my sisters love these as much as I do. I smile every time I glance down at my tiny bit of Daddy when I am wearing my own bracelet.

Comments

[Rhonda]

Love the bracelets, the Memorial beads are really wonderful.

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, Rhonda, they are very special to us.

[Terri W.]

These are beautiful! The beads for your bracelets are perfect and so special. I just learned this was "a thing" recently and was excited about it, so I'm happy to know about Cremation Marbles and that you were pleased with their work. Thank you for sharing.

[Karla Nathan]

The company is on Etsy and he has his own website. Hes a really nice guy, and talented. Has the most adorable little family and they live in the country in an eclectic looking old house with vines, fruits, veggies and flowers overflowing from every bit of exposed dirt. Very charming. I highly recommend his work. My sisters and I will treasure our beads. The Bears he makes tend to be large, I needed to be specific that I wanted dainty ones and he was able to male just what I needed. I took s bracelet with me to show how I was going to use them. You might want to send a photo of the type of jewelry youd be adding it to