(He Said) Throughout my life I have lost many people and pets. Having a meaningful keepsake of them is challenging. There are always photos, if you have a place to display them. With digital you can keep them on your phone for somewhat quick access. There are pillows and Teddy Bears made from a loved ones clothing. You can get commissioned painting also. With pets there is the option to get a paw print cast into plaster. It has recently come to our attention you can have custom jewelry made to remember a loved one.
In March of 2022 we lost our dog Dakota Joe, he was with us for about 14 years. He was suppose to be my dog when we rescued him but he formed a tight bond with my wife and became her soul mate. He knew when she was feeling good or bad and gave her the attention he could as a dog to make her day better. She also did everything possible to make his life great. Dakota was also my adventure buddy. We traveled many miles on foot through the woods looking for the unknown. He eventually became a therapy dog, visiting patients in the hospital seemed like his favorite therapy dog job. Losing him was like losing a part of us.
Before Dakota passed away I made ink prints of his paws and plaster castings too. We did some photos of him while he still looked handsome, to remember him at his best. After he passed we had him cremated. His ashes remain with us not knowing what to do with them yet.
Along comes Lindsey, a friend of many years, who is now designing and making custom jewelry using things from loved ones to create one of a kind pieces to keep your cherished memories closer. Lindsey (Oonom Jewelry) started this as a way to give her husband a way to keep the memories of his Father with him. She incorporated part of the lucky hunting shirt his Father wore into a ring so he could take him hunting with him always. Imagine the ways you could keep a loved one close through a piece of custom jewelry. I’m just guessing that you could have Lindsey use ashes, clothing, hair/fur, anything that can be made into a piece small enough to become part of the jewelry you would select. This way you could wear this precious keepsake and have your loved one near you at all times.
Oonum Jewelry now does rings, necklaces and earrings. She can add ashes, pieces of clothing, all sorts of gemstones, parts of pet’s collars or toys. The ways she can make this custom and meaningful to you is endless. It is best to contact her through her Facebook Page ⇒ Oonum Jewelry ⇐ to learn more.
I will let my wife (She Said) tell you more about the ring I had made for her.
(She Said) As my husband mentioned above, Dakota was my soul mate, my Best Guy. For nearly 15 years, he was constantly by my side. If I was upset or not feeling well, he would lay his head on me and keep close watch. We ran 5K’s together and walked hundreds and hundreds of miles together. If I was not home, he insisted that my husband let him outside to wait for me, no matter what the weather. Later in his life, he became a Therapy Dog, and I was so proud to share my sweet boy with others to bring them joy. As he began to age and decline, I cherished every moment that he was still with us. Nothing could prepare me for the heartbreak I felt when we lost him. Even as I write this a year later, I am overcome with grief again…I miss my Best Guy.
A few months after Dakota passed, my husband told me we were going somewhere and I would find out why when we get there. He is notorious for his mystery surprises and adventures, and this is one of my favorite things about him. When we arrived, I was excited to see our friend Lindsey whom we hadn’t seen in ages. Then I remembered that she had shared on Facebook that she was making memorial rings, and my husband told me that Lindsey was going to make me a ring to memorialize Dakota.
Lindsey welcomed us in and we talked a bit about Dakota and how much he meant to me. My husband had brought along some of Dakota’s ashes, a lock of his fur I had saved, and his Therapy Dog bandana. Lindsey showed me some of her past work as well as the many options and ideas she had for making me a Dakota ring. It didn’t take me long at all to decide…I loved this blue-green inlay, and Lindsey was able to include a few strands of his fur. This particular ring design also had a small “cup” that was perfect to hold a bit of Dakota’s ashes.
“Dakota Ring” Photo by Oonum Jewelry
This ring turned out more beautiful than I ever imagined. I wear it every day to keep my Best Guy with me, and I will cherish this piece of jewelry forever. Lindsey is so incredibly talented and it is clear that she puts her heart into making special keepsakes for those who have lost loved ones.
