We've probably all lost someone close to us. When I lost my own father I was in total disbelief at first, then the realization hit me that I would never see him again. At the funeral home they gave me the box of his ashes. It was a black plastic box; while it was nice that the ashes were secure, it seemed so cheap looking and didn't seem at all like a fitting way to honor his memory. I wanted to remember him in a way that honored his memory, and a piece of plastic just made me feel like I wasn't showing him how I truly felt.
I'd just begun making cremation items, so I thought to myself I can do better than this. I can make something that is fitting for someone that was once alive, by creating something that has a life of its own. In doing that I felt a sense of closure. He could finally rest because I was at peace.
Today I'm going to show you how I make one of those pieces, incorporating the ashes of someone who was once living and is still alive in our memories and in this piece of art.
First, I place my opal into a tube that's close off on one end, then very carefully add a very small amount of your loved one's ashes on top of it. This creates a streamlined look where everything is flowing in one direction.
This is then placed in the kiln, and the next day it's ready to be worn.
If you have ashes of a loved one and you'd like them made into a piece of opal jewelry like this, just click here. If you'd like to see my non-cremation work, you can find it here.
I've been making these for over 5 years and have made thousands of cremation items, including one for my own father who passed away 5 years ago. So you can be sure the ashes are in good hands.
