Feb 14, 2021

Creating Beautiful Memories

“It’s more than what I expected, more than what I dreamed of.” ~Melinda

This is my ‘why’. It fills me up, and it’s why I love what I do. As an artist, using my unique design perspective and my craft to help my clients heal and honor their loved ones, fulfills my soul. The bespoke jewelry I design goes beyond just frivolous adornment, it creates beautiful memories and celebrations of a life well-lived. Melinda’s custom designed ring was no exception.

Studio 12 Design Blog I Sarah EK Muse I Custom Jewelry Redesign l Bespoke Jewelry l Custom Jewelry Design Experience I Roanoke, VA

Melinda and her mom were exceptionally close, especially after her dad’s premature passing. When her mom grew ill, Melinda naturally became her caretaker. After she passed away, Melinda knew she wanted something special, designed just for her, to honor and remember her mom.

Years ago, Melinda’s dad gave her mom a scarab bracelet-watch and bracelet, which at the time was very fashionable and popular. Melinda recalled that her mom wore one or the other every day, as a reminder of the love she and her husband shared. They were the epitome of her mom, so it made sense to use the scarabs for the redesign, “I wanted something I could have forever, that would remind me of her.” The scarabs couldn’t have been a more perfect reminder.

Studio 12 Design Blog I Sarah EK Muse I Custom Jewelry Redesign l Bespoke Jewelry l Custom Jewelry Design Experience I Roanoke, VA

Melinda, a breast cancer survivor, devoted Mom and wife, is one of the most caring people I know, often putting others before herself. When she asked me to design this very special custom ring, I was honored that she chose me to help carry on her mother’s memory.

The process of an heirloom redesign always starts with a conversation to understand what things are important to my client, what matters to them, what their style preferences are, and what they care about. Only when I feel comfortable that I can capture the essence of my client, do I move on to sketches. Together over coffee, Melinda and I chatted about her mom. We sat, reminiscing about the beautiful memories we both had. It meant a lot to Melinda and me as well, that I also knew her mom, and that I was designing this personal ring for specially for her.

Studio 12 Design Blog I Sarah EK Muse I Custom Jewelry Redesign l Bespoke Jewelry l Custom Jewelry Design Experience I Roanoke, VA

After approving the sketches and selecting the final design, Melinda opted to use the green, pink and black scarabs from the watch. A redesign is about more than resetting and reusing inherited stones.

This piece had to honor the close, symbiotic relationship Melinda and her mom shared. To do this, I made the ring with gold and silver to wrap around and hug the stones, as if a hug from her Mom and to create an elegant flowing design. Melinda’s style is very simple. She’s not at all flashy, so I kept to simple graceful lines. I integrated the stones with the band, into a fluid, organic design that Melinda can cherish and wear as a beautiful reminder of her mom, forever.

“Sarah was very easy to work with. She listened to exactly what I wanted and I had no hesitation about working with her. Sarah knew my mom so that part of the relationship made it even more special.”

Are you missing someone special?

Contact me today to start your custom design journey to create a beautiful memory of your loved one.

Melinda wearing her Custom Designed Ring honoring her Mom