PLEASE read this ENTIRE page BEFORE placing an order!!
Please fill out the order form for any order.
The prices of my pieces reflect my time, and materials and that I work with the risk of blood-born pathogens in DNA pieces.

 

Where are we located?
I am located in South Bend, Indiana. I accept both approved drop-offs and shipped-in orders. The address is shared upon purchase.

Can you include more than one element in my piece of jewelry?
Yes to both. You can at this time, though do pay attention to your pieces getting a little too busy. Please take note if you are adding anything to a milk piece that has not previously been tested, it is possible that it may cause discoloring, color bleeding, etc. I am always happy to try new things though! 

Can I order more than one at a time?
Definitely! Just please be sure to package things clearly and fill out your form properly. You will also be responsible for sending enough of your element. 

Can I drop off/pick up my elements/items in person?
I currently have a drop box for local clients to leave elements and or pick up, but I do not meet with clients in person.

How long does it take to get my item(s)?
It depends on what you are ordering. If it is a simple piece and we have all the materials in stock it should take around  4 to 8 weeks. It is difficult to give an exact answer as there are several factors that will go into the time frame it takes to make each item. (On top of transit time.) There is also correspondence time if I need to contact you about your design.
Some of the settings are handmade by metalsmiths so they will take time. If I can get your gem going ahead of the setting, I will, but at times I have to wait to cast the gem mold. Please, be patient! I know you are excited, so I will get your items to you as soon as possible. Please try to refrain from sending me a lot of messages to follow up. That only slows down and confuses the process.

What happens if I don't like my piece? 
If you have an issue with your piece, you have 3 consecutive days to contact me after your package has arrived to make me aware of the issue and we can proceed with what can be done.  Photos always help along with your description of the issue. I will review each piece as a case-by-case situation to best deal with the issue at hand.  Please visit the Policy Page for more info on Returns, Refunds, and Exchanges. 

Why doesn't my piece look like the one pictured?
Every piece is unique. Some pieces are made differently with different add-ins or different elements, making the result different. No two pieces, even if based similarly, will ever be 100% alike. No two gems, even for earrings, with the same pour, will ever be 100% alike. That's the beauty of handmade and DNA elements in general. They all preserve a little differently. If you don't like that idea perhaps a hand-crafted keepsake or my method is not for you. 

Will I get my materials back?
Typically, in short, no other than ash. It is rare that I have any elements to send back which is why it is very important that you NEVER send me the last of any of your elements. A lot of times elements are used completely and I don't want to use the last of your something precious. Without question, if I am are working with Ash I send any extras back. However, extra milk or other matter will not be sent back without an additional handling fee at this time.  If I happen to have an overpour when casting your jewelry at random I will cast a special gift piece for you. (This is not typical with every order so please keep that in mind.) I only do this to utilize extra precious elements if there are any. 
I DO store extra milk in my files for around a year in the event you’d like to order another piece without having to send more milk.

If I have a known illness or disease, can I still send my milk or placenta?
When sending blood, milk, placenta, or otherwise I trust that my clients are not putting me and my family in harm’s way by knowingly sending me DNA elements that contain illness or disease. I ask that you PLEASE do NOT send me contaminated elements. EVER! If you have a known illness and would like to chat about a piece, please send me a message and I can see what I can do for you while ensuring safety measures for all.

How much of each element item do I send?

Milk- I recommend around a half ounce depending on the size of your chosen piece. Overall it will depend on how many you plan to make and if you want a light or full mix.  Fattier the milk, the better.  There are "low supply" options as well, message me if you are concerned and need to send less. I can absolutely work with less. The bigger décor pieces take more like an ounce.

Blood- For most pieces, I will only need around a few drops/teaspoons, but depending on what is being created I may need more like a tablespoon or more.

Placenta (dried)- Your placenta MUST be dried UNLESS you have approved a raw option. I will need about a half tablespoon or around 4-8 capsules. Again, this will depend on which piece(s) you have chosen to have made and if you want a solid mix or a light. Do not send me any raw placenta without proper instructions on how to send or deliver as I will not touch it and it will be discarded without warning if it is not properly prepped and approved.

Ash-  Half a Tablespoon is generally more than enough for most of my pieces depending on size and how many, as well as if you are ordering a light or full mix. Please remember that bigger fragments may not settle correctly in shallower settings. Also, bigger pieces will settle no matter the processing wait time. The most broken-down dust seems to look and work best. If you shake the ash, more of the bigger fragments will rise, move those aside and target collecting the finer dust.

Hair- Around a half inch to an inch works best. Try to keep it as neat as possible, so it is easier to work with for your piece. Some designs could use curls or even a very small braid. However, you can send whatever amount you wish, just remember if there are strands or a small amount it is unlikely they will be easily seen in most of our pieces. - Please also note most hair will darken or lighten in the preservation process. If you have a style preference, such as trying to place the hair in a swirl, heart, tree, etc extra hair is nice to have on hand. White, light blond or silver hair will sometimes be very hard to see, so a darker backing is helpful.

Flowers- Around a tablespoon would be best, most designs will require the flowers to be ground up. Whole flowers MUST be dried or pressed as anything containing moisture WILL decompose and break down.  When sending whole flowers please measure and be sure they are small enough to fit in your piece otherwise they will, by default, be ground up.  Also note, some flowers are incredibly brittle and may not fit through the openings of the molds without tearing. Some flowers will become more transparent or even discolored from their original state. If we are creating some sort of décor piece it is possible to use larger, intact flowers. Please message me to chat about a custom bouquet-style piece.

Other Elements- This will be completely up to you as to how much or how many you send as this list could be nearly endless.  Please be sure your setting will work with the elements you are sending BEFORE ordering and if they are not going to fit you realize they may be broken down to the best of my ability to get them to work with your setting. I recommend measuring your beads, buttons, etc before selecting your necklace, ring, etc. If you have a question please message me and we can work on what would be best.
 
What needs to be done to prepare elements to be sent?
Milk should be heated, not boiled with a double boiler method for 5 minutes before sending it to me. This helps slow the decomposition process, which can discolor your milk if it does occur. I also prefer fattier milk, so boiling off the milk helps leave the fats best for preservation.   Please fill out the order form for any order.

How long do I have to send elements in?
I ask that you ship your elements ASAP to keep the workflow as steady as possible. Items are not created based on the date ordered. Instead, they will be made as elements arrive. Sending your elements to me quickly also helps to ensure that your items are produced and sent out swiftly. Lack of sending elements for 6 weeks will result in your order being put to the back of the rotation and a $25.00 fee will be applied.

Do you store any milk for later use?
I do! I store your leftover milk for at least a year after creation so if you decide you want to order another piece it saves you the hassle of shipping/delivering your milk again. OR in the event you lose or damage a gem, I have you covered!

Can you make a custom piece?
Of course. The good thing about being a small business and building up clients, we are available to discuss a custom piece of your dreams with you. There may be ideas that just won't work together, so I will bring my knowledge of jewelry with your vision to make the best option possible for you.  Message me to get started.

Can you make a piece with no elements? 
Of course. If you just want something with shimmer, sparkle, flecks, tints, etc that can be arranged. I have cow’s milk or formula decoy pieces for those mommas too. Please message me to make something custom. I also make non-DNA jewelry, photo prints, and canvases that you might want to check out.  

Do you add tints or colorants to the milk jewelry?
I do not add ANY types of coloring, powders, dust, or tints to make our milk jewelry white. I use YOUR milk along with my preservation method, mixed with a high-quality, jewelry-grade resin. My pieces are then coated with a sealer for extra protection. Of course, if you CHOOSE a color tint I offer then there will be a tint, but that is the ONLY time I use tints or colorings. I do NOT use the breastmilk preservation powder methods most DNA artists are using.

How do I know it will be 100% my milk in my piece?
I, as the artist, founder, and mother, give my word that your pieces exclusively contain YOUR milk and no one else's.  I can also assure you there are no colorants, pigmented powders, etc are added to our pieces. There is no trickery in what you are getting. I would personally be devastated not to have my elements added to my pieces. All I can do to ensure your trust is give my word just as any other DNA artist can.

How do you preserve the milk or cast your jewelry?
Your milk undergoes a 3 to 4+ step process to become your keepsake.  I will not give out my method of preservation because it has taken years of research to perfect this technique to retain natural color without molding. I will say that I do not use harsh chemicals in my processes and pride myself on this method.  I cannot say what other artists are using for theirs as each method is likely done differently depending on the research, tools, and integrity each artist has utilized. I do know some artist use harmful chemicals, powders/dust in their processing. I don't want that in my home around my loved ones, less yet in the jewelry I wear on my skin. My method is pure and safe, so much so, I’d be willing to consume everything other than the resin. :)
The powders/dusts are not fully honest nor genuine to your milk as they DO impact the color of the milk. I have, so far, yet to see anyone else using my same preservation method. Please do NOT message me asking for my method as, like most milk artists, I am not willing to give that out at this time. Here’s a look at how a few methods work. https://mindovermatter.mom/blog

Can I buy a DIY kit? 
I do not offer a diy kit at this time, but several other artists sell kits. Be sure to read reviews carefully to ensure you know what you are getting long term as many of them discolor fairly quickly. Most DIY kits yellow or have so much filler and tint it wasn’t much milk to start with. Also, please be sure to use proper eye, hand, and respiratory protection when using these kits, and do not use kitchen utensils or pans you plan to use for food again. You have NO idea the chemicals they are that they are sending you to prep in your very own kitchen, likely with your baby in the highchair next to you. Be skeptical.  

What type of processes will my loved ones’ ashes go through to be preserved?
Your loved one’s ashes will be preserved in the most respectful fashion with the least amount of chemical or other treatments possible.  Unless you want add-ins I do not add any other fillers to your ash pieces unless you ask. You can add hair, glitters, shimmers, flecks, or tints, etc.

What kind of chemicals go into the jewelry?
I do not use harsh chemicals in our jewelry and pride myself on our all-natural method of preservation. I also use a high-grade, eco-friendly, “food-grade” resin. The chemicals I use could actually be consumed without medical issues, though I wouldn’t recommend it.
Many other jewelers use harsh chemicals, some even using formaldehyde, optiphen, and outsourced powders that they don’t even know what it contains. I don't want that sitting closely on my skin or around my loved ones. It is pretty terrifying to think of what some pieces might contain.

Do you offer a guarantee or warranty? 
I offer a 6-month guarantee on the Milk DNA jewelry for mold spotting/pitting or other casting-related issues but do NOT offer one for light discoloration or other user error. This does NOT cover settings themselves as I do not craft most of those and a metalsmith will need to tend to such issues. My preservation method will go through a period of off-gassing before it gets to its final shade; more to the shade of your milk. My process works with the fats in the actual milk. Due to the chemical process, the pieces are always crisp white when first cast. Once it has a chance to “oxidize” it becomes a more true breastmilk color. This is very normal and unique to each client’s milk. If you want a bright white piece, please let me know and I can add a touch of tint or powders to color your piece accordingly.
ALL resin will eventually yellow, even the best they produce will yellow in time, no matter what your artist is telling you. I do, however, use a top-grade jeweler resin for my pieces to ensure longevity.  The guarantee does not cover scratches or other human error. I cannot do returns/refunds on DNA jewelry due to the personal nature of those pieces. Please read over the policy page for more info.

Can I order a high-end design?
Absolutely! I DO require a deposit to be placed on special orders (the amount will depend on the price of the item that is specially ordered.) 

How durable are the pieces?
My pieces vary in durability from sturdy to more sensitive wear. Please read the descriptions and care instructions for each piece to best understand what you are getting. Pieces are fairly heat intolerant. And any amount of UV exposure is not good on any of your resin pieces. Glass-encased items can also crack or shatter. Please always use your keepsake with care and inspect it before each use to prevent loose gems, etc.

Why doesn't my piece look like another jeweler’s piece? 
Every jeweler I know has a different way of preserving and casing their pieces, this naturally will result in an overall different, exclusive look to each designer’s style. Embrace the variety to the have opportunity to shop around for the artist right for you.

I only have a tiny bit of element to provide, can I still order? 
I ask that you NEVER, EVER, EVER send me the last of ANY of your elements, no matter how badly you want a piece of jewelry. If you only have a little supply, we can discuss a low-supply piece that may work for you while not using the very last of your precious element. Things happen and I do not want the responsibility of having the very last of your sacred items in transit or my care. I handle every item with personal care, but the very last of something cannot be replaced. I have no control over the post or things like "God's will."  Be prepared that all of what you send could very well be used up on your piece(s) without any to return or remake. 

Can I send my placenta to you if it isn’t dehydrated?
Yes, BUT you must approve this step with me first. Do not send me any raw placentas until I give instructions. I reserve the right to discard any hazardous materials without warning if they are not properly prepped.