The last time I breastfed one of my babies was almost 5-6 years ago. My youngest nursed until she was a few months shy of 4. I couldn’t believe how long she kept at it and frankly, on my end, it was a beautiful bond we shared and I was tired yet secretly hoping it didn’t end too soon.
In that journey, I had discovered the amazing folks who had created Etsy shops specifically to create keepsakes with your breastmilk, umbilical cord stumps, etc. I was intrigued and never really took the plunge to order a piece for myself but I did hang on to some milk for years after my daughter stopped nursing.
Seriously, every time I did a freezer purge, I'd run into those little baggies of pumped milk and think to myself that maybe I had put it off for too long already. Then I’d shut the door and forget for another 6 months.
So here we are, almost 5-6 years later and I finally did it!
I went on the search for a local business first and came across A Handmade Legacy. I messaged Jill and inquired about a ring and the whole process. Jill was super sweet and messaged me back right away. She gave me options, we talked about details and began the process. She met up with me soon after and collected a milk baggie from me and got to work. This process all happened over Easter weekend and she communicated so clearly when she would be working on my piece and gave me such realistic expectations for delivery dates.
When my piece was done, Jill reached out right away, we met up and I was beyond thrilled with her work. She did a beautiful job and I’m so happy with my ring. I think I have a bit more milk… maybe one day I’ll order a piece for my kiddos as keepsakes for the time they spent nursing.
I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to work with Jill. It’s easy to see that her heart leads her and she pours love into the art she’s creating.
On April 4th, Jill shares a post where she speaks about her own mother and how she is preserving her memory.
“I had the honor of creating these stunning sterling silver hoop cremation earrings.. these are extra special to me, as they were created with my mother in mind and her ashes. Today has been extra hard, missing my mom so much. Grief is so difficult to navigate.. Holding my mom just a little bit closer today, of course in something shiny.. if only she could see me now, not sure if she would laugh, tell me how amazed she is that I started doing this, or just sit there with a smile and tell me “ go get em magpie”.. either way I think she’d be pretty amazed and would definitely want something shiny made by me, even though I was her glitter, all shiny things obsessed daughter, if heaven wasn’t so far away I’d give it all to you momma.. ”
Thank you, Jill. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and for creating such special pieces for families here in the RGV.
If you are hanging on to that little bit of umbilical cord, that pumped milk, the last placenta pill, ashes, a special memento… message Jill. She will create a beautiful custom piece for you and you won’t be disappointed.
