Handmade Keepsake Jewelry
to Honor Your Story
Shipping
Your
Inclusions
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When you place an order, you'll be sent a confirmation email with detailed instructions for labeling and shipping your milk and/or other inclusions to me. If you do not receive an email, please contact me.
You are responsible for paying shipping (typically around $3 or 3 stamps in a standard white envelope will do). It is simple and easy to ship, just as any other package. I process jewelry in the order that I receive the milk and/or other inclusions.
Never send the last of your inclusions. Packages lost in transit are sometimes gone forever. Always keep some for backup!
Please label all inclusions with your name and order number.
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Please send 15ml (0.5 ounces) of milk inside milk storage bags (they’re leak-proof!). The milk does NOT need to be kept cold and it can be old or sour milk that has been out too long or in the freezer too long.
Place the initial milk storage bag in another breastmilk bag, put that bag in a third bag (ziploc is okay!) to prevent leaking in transit, and label outermost bag with your full name and order number.
You can use a normal letter envelope or a small padded mailer.
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Must be dried and crushed/cut into small pieces. Dehydrated powder is fine too, and if sending capsules, 1-2 is enough.
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1 Tablespoon is enough.
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Must be dried to prevent molding! Pressed works as well.
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Fold a thick lock into a piece of paper then place inside a ziploc bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Breastmilk jewelry is a beautiful way to capture and honor your feeding journey with your little. I preserve a small amount of your milk and cast it into a unique resin stone set into a solid gold, gold-plated, or silver bezel. Every item is handmade by me in my South Bronx studio.
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Not much! Just 15ml (about half an ounce) is plenty. I will preserve what you send and store whatever powder is leftover for up to 2 years in case you decide to order another piece from me. Milk that has been frozen and thawed, or is old (even years old!) or spoiled is fine. As long as the milk is not moldy, I can work with it!
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I can absolutely make jewelry with inclusions other than milk. The possibilities are endless! Some common inclusions folks like to send are; breastmilk, formula, lock of hair, dried crushed placenta, dried crushed umbilical cord, human cremation ashes, animal cremation ashes, pet fur or feathers, fabric from something special (like NICU socks, blanket, etc), sand, fabric, soil and dried flowers. If you have a request for an inclusion that isn't listed, email me and we will try to work it out!
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Yes! Combine milk together before sending to me. *I only need 15ml total, not 15ml of each!
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I can only accommodate order changes for no fee up to 24 hours after the order is placed. If a change needs to take place after 24 hours, there is a $35 fee. Sorry for the inconvenience!
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Orders are non-refundable once I have received your milk/inclusions in the mail. If you choose to cancel your order before sending your milk in, you will be refunded less a $50 processing fee.
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My designs are available in sterling silver, 14K solid yellow gold, 14K solid rose gold, or 14K solid white gold. All of my silver pieces are 925 sterling silver and are made from 92.5% silver and the remaining consists of mostly copper. Solid gold is the highest quality metal you can buy and are priced based on the current gold market. Solid gold designs are the most expensive options, but are also the longest-lasting and most durable. I use recycled metals whenever possible.
On silver necklaces I use sterling silver findings and chain.
On gold necklaces* I use 14k gold-fill chain and findings. Gold fill is when there is a layer of gold on top of a base metal. usually brass. I do this this keep my gold jewelry affordable.
If you would prefer solid gold chain and findings, there is a separate listing that you can add it to your cart at checkout.
*Gold-fill chain is only available for yellow and rose gold. White gold necklaces will be made with sterling silver chain unless you also purchase a solid white gold chain.
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Treat your keepsake as if it were precious heirloom jewelry, not recommended for everyday wear. Keep away from water; remove before swimming, showering, working out, or applying any lotions or perfumes. Store in a cool, dry place. If normal oxidization occurs, you may use a polishing cloth (I like Sunshine Brand) to gently remove tarnish from the metal, taking care to avoid the stone. Keep in mind that all resin jewelry could eventually yellow, especially if exposed to these elements.
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I am not able to do that—every piece of jewelry is unique, and everyone’s milk and inclusions are totally unique to them! It’s difficult to predict how a piece will turn out, so when you order, it is with the understanding that I will do my very best to honor your vision and create something beautiful. There is room on the order form to explain your preferences, and you may be as specific as you’d like, or you can leave the design up to me. The unpredictable and unique nature of resin jewelry is part of its beauty!
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My current turnaround time is 6-8 weeks from the time I receive your inclusions. Once your item ships, you will get an email with tracking information. For international orders, tracking only works while your package is still inside the United States.
Sustainability & Materials
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My metals are sourced from a refiner who uses 100% recycled silver and gold! That means that metal from other sources like old jewelry, silverware, or gold scraps are refined and then used to make a fresh piece of jewelry. This helps cut back on the amount of new material that is being used from mines- mining can be detrimental to the environment as well as local populations. My findings and chain come from suppliers who also use recycled metals.
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I recently made the switch from padded mailers to custom corrugated boxes. These boxes are not just 100% recycled - they are made from 95% post-consumer content - and are manufactured in the United States. They are biodegradable and recyclable.
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My chocolate kraft jewelry boxes are made of 100% recycled materials, on average 80% of that is post-consumer. Inside there is non-tarnishing ultra white synthetic cotton filler which is also 100% recycled.
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The cotton jewelry bags I use are made of cotton grown and manufactured right here in the United States.
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If you decide not to keep any of my packaging please be sure to either recycle or compost all parts to keep as much out of landfills as possible. Together let’s work toward minimizing our footprint on the environment, and showing Mother Earth a little TLC.
We have a shared responsibility to our beautiful Mother Earth to keep her clean and to coexist with all of nature. I strive to be as sustainable as possible in my work! I promise to continue to be as eco-friendly as I can. If you have any suggestions as to where I can improve in this regard, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
All designs and images are protected under the copyright of Auspicious Beginnings LLC. No reproduction, distribution, or derivation will be allowed without express permission
