How long will it take to get my order?
All of my pieces are custom made to order, with a usual turnaround time of 10-14 weeks after I receive your inclusions. However, depending on the specific order and time of year, the process may take longer, with custom orders sometimes taking up to 16 weeks. To ensure efficient processing, I kindly ask my customers not to request updates, as this may slow down the process for all orders. Rest assured that when an update is available or your piece is ready, I will notify you promptly. Thank you for your understanding and patience as I create unique, personalized treasures for you.
How I do I place an order?
To place a custom order, you can either place an order through our website or message me directly through my Facebook page, Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes or email me at milkywayspiritandsoul@outlookcom. When placing your order, please make sure to state exactly what you want your piece to look like and what inclusions you want in your piece. After you order, I will immediately send you an email with further instructions, as well as my mailing/drop-off address for your inclusions. I work closely with each customer to create a truly personalized and meaningful piece, and I am committed to ensuring that every order is unique and reflective of your individual style and preferences.
How do I prepare my inclusions for shipping?
When sending your inclusions to me, please double bag your milk in milk storage bags and send it in a padded mailer bag. For all other inclusions, we prefer small plastic containers with screw-on lids sent in a padded mailer bag as well. Make sure everything is labeled with your first and last name and phone number. Additionally, it's important to get tracking for your package. Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred during the shipping process. Thank you for entrusting me with your treasured memories.
Do you work with human and animal ashes?
At Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes, I specialize in creating unique and personalized jewelry pieces using a variety of materials. Yes, I work with human and animal ashes, as well as funeral flowers, gravesite dirt, fabric from clothes and blankets, blood and other items. If you don't have ashes from your pet, I can use fur, whiskers, pieces from their collars or leashes to create a meaningful and sentimental keepsake. My goal is to provide a heartfelt and personalized way to honor your loved ones and pets, and I take pride in my ability to create truly special pieces that hold deep emotional significance.
How is breastmilk jewelry made?
At Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes, I understand the importance of preserving breastmilk to ensure the longevity and quality of the final product. To prevent the milk from going rotten and affecting the color and strength of the stone, I take the necessary steps to sterilize the milk before the transformation process. This involves cooking the milk down with high-quality preservation powder to create a thick paste, which is then carefully monitored until it completely dries. This meticulous process ensures that the breastmilk is preserved in a way that maintains its integrity and prevents any discoloration or deterioration over time, resulting in a beautiful and lasting keepsake for our clients.
What do you do with left over inclusions?
At Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes, I only need 10mls of breastmilk for creating your custom jewelry piece. Any excess milk beyond this limit will be disposed of per our safety guidelines. However, I understand that you may want to keep the remaining preserved milk powder for future use. Therefore, I offer two options - I can either send the excess milk back to you or store it for up to a year in case you decide to create additional piece in the future. Whether you choose to have it returned or stored, I ensure that your breastmilk is handled and preserved with the utmost care and respect.
How much inclusions do I need to send in? Trigger Warning
Human and Animal Ashes:
When it comes to ashes, human and pets alike, we need about a quarter tsp, if there is anything left over we will return it to you with your completed piece. If I am working with a bigger piece, I may request that you send more to me. Please do not fill the container too much as it may spill when I open it. Ashes from more than one person or pet can be combined in one container. If you would like them separate, please be sure to label everything with names. You can always ask a friend for help if you are too sad or nervous to collect your sample. Please make sure you collect your sample over a piece of paper and away from any breeze to prevent losing any ashes.
Baby Ashes:
I don't need a lot of ashes from your baby. I require just a tiny pinch per piece. If I need more ashes, I will request more. I don't want to risk losing a lot of ashes in the mail.
Breastmilk:
I require about 10ml of breastmilk. We accept any age of breastmilk, it could be sitting in your freezer for a decade and that's still totally fine to use. Always keep some milk back just incase something happens to it in the mail.
Hair and Fur:
An inch of hair and about 20 strands is enough to do a tree of life pendant or add it to a couple rings or orbs. Tie the end with some thread. If you're sending fur, just a chunk the size of a quarter is good enough for a few pieces. Please don't use anything sticky to bind the hair. Just thread and curl it into a container.
Please note, that if your child has very blond hair, it might not show up very well with the resin.
Umbilical Cord or Placenta:
We only require a tiny amount of dried umbilical cord stump. Cherry pit size. And one placenta capsule full of placenta.
Blood:
For animals, a blood collection tube from the vet is perfect for blood jewelry and memorials. For humans, we can only accept dried blood. A 1/4 teaspoon or less is all we need for blood jewelry and memorial. We do add ink or pigments to keep the jewel a beautiful blood red color. I can also harvest blood from fabric as well. Just please dry it out and send it to me in a zip lock bag.
Stillborn baby hair:
You can ask your midwife or hospital staff to clip some of your babies hair. Just please make sure there is enough to send and enough for you to keep.
Stillborn baby umbilical cord and placenta:
You will need to get your midwife and hospital staff to collect these for you. Its very important that no chemicals touch these pieces. I can not work on pieces that have chemicals on them or in them. Please do not send us any raw pieces. It's also important to know that you probably won't be able to take your full placenta home if your child was sick, but you can request a piece of it. Have a family member take it home and freeze it until you are ready to take the next steps.
Gravesite Dirt:
We only need a table spoon of graveside dirt.
Fabric:
A square inch.
If you'd like to add any other inclusions not listed, please send me a message and I will let you know how much and how to send.
How old can my milk be?
Your milk can be any age. It can be frozen in your freezer for years, its still fine to use in jewelry.
How can I be sure you're not using someone else's inclusions?
At Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes, I understand the deep emotional significance of the inclusions you entrust to me for your custom jewelry. As soon as I receive your inclusions, they are carefully labeled and stored with the utmost care. It is my policy to work on only one client's piece at a time, enabling me to devote my full attention to each project and prevent any mix-ups. Throughout the jewelry-making process, I am vigilant about checking labels and ensuring that every detail is correct. You can have trust and faith in my commitment to preserving the integrity of your jewelry and keepsakes.
***Trigger Warning*** Can you help with our lost baby?
At Milky Way Spirit & Soul Keepsakes, I understand the importance of creating a lasting memorial piece with your baby's inclusions. I offer a range of options for incorporating your baby's inclusions into jewelry, such as hair, ashes, or breastmilk. I am here to help make sure you have a piece of your child with you forever. While I cannot offer my services completely free of charge, I strive to provide affordable options for creating personalized and meaningful jewelry to honor your child. I am dedicated to working with you to create a unique and treasured piece that holds a special significance to you and your family.
