Memorial Jewellery
Recently I have been honoured to make really precious pieces using loved one’s fingerprints or handprints and pet prints. It’s a really special feeling to be able to make a meaningful piece for someone who wants to keep their loved ones close to them after they have sadly passed away.
I thought I would write a step by step guide just in case anyone knows of anyone who would want to use this service now or in the future.
Step 1)
Ask the funeral director if they take prints. If they do then confirm whether it is handprint or fingerprints. Most funeral directors should be able to take fingerprints using an ink pad if there is not time to send out a kit. I can use these prints the funeral directors just need to give them to you and you can then send them to me when you are ready. If you post them make sure you send the special delivery so they are safe in the post.
If the funeral director doesn’t take prints – I can arrange for a kit to be posted out to them for them to take the prints and post them back to me. Full instructions given to them.
Step 3)
Choose the piece you would like to have made. This doesn’t have to be done immediately – the most important thing to do is get your loved one’s prints taken.
Step 4)
Once I receive the prints and you have chosen your piece of jewellery it takes approx. 2 weeks to make and then post.
There are a few types of memorial jewellery.
Fingerprint charm using the moulding compound. These create an inverted fingerprint into the silver.
Ink Fingerprints. These can be blown up and enlarged using the swirls and lines of the fingerprint to impress into the silver.
Handprint Jewellery – the inkless wipe is used to take the handprint onto sensitised paper. The handprint is then scanned and reduced to scale depending on the size of charm ordered.
Handwriting – using loved ones handwriting. An old letter signed or nickname can be used and impressed into silver.
Everyone has different ways of coping but sometimes something tangible and completely personal to touch and hold has so much meaning and can be consoling.
Tara
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