Hi All,

As most of you know I lost my daughter in November. After I lost her I searched and searched for something special to remember her by - especially something to keep with me, and have close to me. But sadly I found, well, very little. I did find a cute heart locket with an angel in it on Trade Me. I had it engraved, but after a month the silver had all rubbed off and it looked "blah" - definately not something I was proud of anymore.

I have talked to many of you online since November and found you had similar experiences... finding it hard to get good quality keepsakes.

So I have started a new website - My Angel - www.myangel.co.nz

I have cremation jewellery (jewellery with a little hole where you can put ashes, hair, dirt, etc), keepsake boxes, gemstone hearts and gemstone angels, etc. I have not added all my products yet, but I am getting there slowly. Sourcing new items all the time.

I have the heart with the footprints cremation pendant, engraved with Angela's name, and some of her ashes inside. I wear it always! My secret place where I feel my angel is with me all the time. I often get comments as to how lovely my necklace is... if only they knew my angel was inside!
My boys have asked for their own pendant, so they can have a momento of their sister to keep forever and to have with them in bed to comfort them. They miss their little sister so much.

Anyhow, I hope to help people find comfort in the items I have on the website. I am donating some of my profits to my local Sands group - who helped me so much when I lost Angela, and still do help me each month.

I would love to get feedback from you all. If there is anything you would like but found hard sourcing, let me know. I am here to help.


May our angels live on forever in our lives....

I forgot to add... I have not finished the shopping cart 100% yet (it does go but not like I want it too). When it is done I will post a discount voucher here for EBB members to use on my website.

What lovely jewellery Denz, and a fantastic idea!

I noticed a couple of typos, will PM you if you like?

LOL... yeah there will be some typos... very much a work in progress but I did want to share. I always welcome trainspotters so PM me or email me off the site! Also any inspiration to describe products welcome.

I have lots more gemstones to add, and want to get into candles, etc.

Thanks for your comment. I love the jewellery too. Took me ages to decide which one I wanted for myself!

Which one did you get? I like the Elegant Ribbon Heart, pity I don't wear silver; I might get one of the keepsake boxes though (eagerly awaiting discount code LOL).

Will PM you now.

No I got the heart with the footprints.

I have a new lot coming soon in gold! I will put the code on here... hopefully before the end of the month.

Love love love the site Denz, just beautiful...will be keeping an eye out for the jewellery that you will be getting in gold, as I am a person who wears gold and will definitley be ordering something then.

what a great service denz, how lovely. i think it's great you've got keepsake boxes - we personally couldn't stand the range of boxes for ashes they had at the funeral home (they were all wood and all looked like little coffins to us at the time) and ended up using a beautiful inlaid stone and marble box a friend had given us some years before for our baby's ashes.

Denz what a beautiful tribute to Angela. And I agree i remember looking for keepsakes as like so many people i had nothing else to hold onto, and the options out there were very limited.
Just lovely

DENZ I love the website and products you sell-with the cremation jewellery, are you able to put ashes inside?

Denise it's awesome and so good to see it's pretty much finished now, you have done a wonderful job and it's such a lovely tribute to Angela. It's a wonderful idea and I'm glad you have created this wonderful site

Yes you can. I have Angela's ashes in mine. I engraved it and then put ashes inside. The hole on the hearts is smaller than on the cylinder style. They are not designed to hold ALL the ashes, just a few. I used tweezers to put them in and it worked successfully (no mess). My boys are getting their own ones too.

As for people wanting gold. I have ordered gold hearts. They are plain, so you can either leave them plain or engrave with a name, initils, letter, date, etc. Gold is harder to get... if you did not like the heart please let me know now!

Thanks everyone for your comments, either on here or PMed!

Wow Denz, you have done a beautiful job of your site, and the jewellery is beautiful (I love yours, so special).

Hi Denz

I have just checked out your website - thank-you so much for setting it up. My little boy was stillborn at term and my little girl came too early to survive at 18 weeks. There hasn't been a site like yours in New Zealand and it is needed.

I still have their ashes at home with me, but when the time is right to put them up at the cemetery I still will want to keep part of them with me, so your jewelry is such a lovely idea.

I am so sorry for your loss; I know how very hard it is.

Take care and I wish you all the best

J

Oh Forever Grateful - your post breaks my heart! I know how I feel losing one, but two children... I cry for you! Thank you for your kind words.

Someone mentioned to me they were not sure about "breaking up the ashes" but I do not see it that way - I love having my angel with me at all times. When I feel down I grab my necklace and gain strength from it. I know she is with me. Funny, I used to hate leaving home and "leaving her behind" but now, I know she comes with me (or at least some of her)... maybe I captured her spirit in those ashes

Hopefully this week I will get the shopping cart working and a voucher entered into the system!

I really hope this website makes a difference to parents who have lost babies - so long as the website lives so does Angela's memory and her little way of helping this world be a better place!

Oh Denz, what a beautiful idea. I am all teary. Cate's 4th angelversary is approaching, and I am going to order some jewellery. I love the heart with the footprints too .
What a wonderful thing you have done for grieving families .

And another big just because.

Hi Ladies. I just wanted to let you know I just ordered another ... well four figure sum of jewellery. I gotta stop buying and start selling before my DH kills me and puts me in a peice of jewellery!

Anyhow - I have Yellow Gold and Rose Gold hearts coming. They are plain so you can engrave with anything you want - I will put a picture up and some ideas soon.
As well as some other lines. Butterflies, crosses, teardrop, etc. I will load them into my website this weekend... but they will be here late next month.

Denz

They sound beautiful Denz. Have you thought about starting a FB page to get the word out to more people.

xox

Hi Everyone.

OK. The website is working now. New products (jewellery) on the way and will be added soon.

As an introductory special I am giving 15% off storewide. Use the coupon code angels at checkout.

Any of my mates who want a larger discount on the jewellery PM me and I will give you the code.

Thanks for all your support.
I am constantly looking out for new products so keep watching. I will post here if I add any new lines.

Thanks
Denise

BLESS you DENZ for turning your sadness into helping others in this special way.

Your web-site is amazing to view. To think that all these beautiful items will help many keep their loved ones close to them for eternity, keeping treasured memories alive.

All the very best for the furure of your site.

You are an amazing person, who has touched my heart earlier on with your openness of your heart when Angela was lost to you and your family.

xx

Great website Denz, beautiful idea and beautiful jewellery.

Just letting you all know I have setup a facebook page.... http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Angel/167916316592681

I will post on there specials, things like when the new gold jewellery arrives, etc.

I made my first sale yesterday. I did not realise how, although exciting to make a sale, it also jerks your heart as it means someone has had a loss - in this case an ectopic pregnancy. I had someone contact me who lost her baby at 36 weeks... I really do not want to get "blazae" about baby loss but at this stage it is just tear jerking and heart wrenching. I hope I can keep my empathy without getting so emotionally evolved. But then as my MW said to me last week "you will never recover from this loss and you will never be the same person you were last year ever again". I spose she is right!

You are so right, but it becomes a wonderful gift you can give someone who is grieving when you are able to emphasise and give compassion that you might not have otherwise had before IYKWIM?

Congratulations on your first sale. I will buy something soon, I promise, just in an expensive patch at the moment with birthdays all over the place.

Hi All,

Well you asked for it... now it is here.

GOLD JEWELLERY IS NOW IN STOCK.

I have plain gold and rosegold hearts.
Gold butterflies - ONLY 2!!!!
Rose gold Acorns.
Gold and silver mix cross.

Go and have a look... www.myangel.co.nz

Hi Denise (aka Denz),

It was quite by chance I came across this forum after searching for stillbirth info/ forums after losing my baby girl at 24wks gestation just under three weeks ago.

I was very impressed with your newly established online store - it is a market which is so lacking, and I really think it's special and unique, so good on you! It touched something with me, because we agreed to have our little girl buried, and after my three children and I had made or put something small in Faith's casket, my husband asked me to go shopping with him to find something unique but relevant to our situation that he could put in. We had a deadline of a few hours to scour the shops and get back to the funeral home by 4.30pm... and with an indecisive hubby well, that was a mission! lol He had said he was looking for something like a crystal heart or those glass cubes which have a 3D angel or heart in the middle that he could get engraved. Well we went everywhere... jewellers, engraving companies, Christian bookstores, novelty shops, dollar shops, etc. and couldn't find anything. We were just about to give up unsuccessfully, when I said we'd try the last Christian bookstore in town, Living Word (here in Hamilton). It was incredible cos I couldn't find a parking, so sent hubby in to browse quickly.. then managed to get a parking & ran into hubby on the way out of the store empty-handed. I said I wanted to browse quickly, & we found these two identical glass cubes with a 3D image in the middle of two hands holding a little baby (and for $12 each!)! So we bought both, and got them engraved with her name & date - one went in the casket, and the other is sitting on our dressing table in our bedroom for us to remember and cherish. I haven't seen these anywhere, but thought I'd mention it as something you may be able to enquire to get in as they are relevant to miscarriages/ stillborns/ infant deaths/ etc. and are really special.

I love the products you have on your site... really beautiful! I hope your products/ website touches other people's lives, really did mine

xox

DENZ what a lovely idea. Im so sorry for your loss! We lost a daughter too, who was stillborn.
Youve done an amazing job of the website and you have such lovely things for sale.

Denz what a great site, will you get the footprints on the heart in gold or did I just not see it through my blurry eyes?

Lorin, thanks for your comments. I am so sorry you found it hard to find something lovely for your daughter. Sadly tho, I am not sure people in your situation would turn to the internet... but I am hoping more and more people will learn about the website so it is there if people need it! I am very glad you found something you like in the end. (I know a store here in Tauranga that has EXACTLY what you were looking for!! Actually a few! Typical eh!!) I will look out for Crystals. I have a heart suncatcher crystal myself that someone gave me when we lost Angela, and everytime it sparkes its rainbows we think of her. Treasured memories special only to our family!

Thanks Trudes!

Stekeljodcam - the gold hearts are plain. No footprints. I have to order 100 of each thing in gold (arrgghh) so I went for plain so people could engrave hand or footprints on if they liked that, or a name, or just leave it plain. So no, you did not see wrong. And I am very sorry for your recent loss

Kia kaha ladies.

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone and everyone could go to my facebook page and vote on some new jewellery items.

I am looking at getting in jewellery that is not cremation jewellery - focusing on miscarriage or loss where people have no ashes or do not want to break up their ashes, but still want a lovely keepsake that is special.

I would love everyones opinion and help with this. You can vote by viewing the photos and "Like" the ones you like. My facebook page is at www.facebook.com/myangelnz

Thanks muchly

Denise

Denz, I just have to giggle...I was trying to send someone to your FB page the other day...and just assumed it was www.facebook.com/myangel... turns out it's not your page!!!! We both had a good giggle!!! Off to have a wee look...I LOVE the sound of this....

Thanks Deedz. Myangel was taken so I had to put the NZ on the end.

I have had such positive response from everyone on EBB - so touched!

to all EBBers - you guys are the best!

Hey Denz!

Have you managed to get the little feet pins yet?

Just showed my 7yo your website and she loved the little heart pendant with the feet and said we should get one for Chloe.
Hmm gonna have to save for that.

DFL - use the code EBBmate for 20% off. Special for EBB friends!

I am new to this site... I lost my baby nearly 4 weeks ago, born too early

I wish I had come across your website, you have some lovely things on there. I actually bought the 'footprints on my heart' charms off someone in Aussie, as I'm making necklaces for our children to wear to remember their little brother by.

I wish I'd found your website first. Will like it on FB and share it with my friends for you.

Good luck with it and your keepsakes will help with healing lots of lives in the future xxx

Thank you so much for your kind words mumto2plus2.

It heals me a little more everytime someone purchases from the site... as hard as it is to know someone else has lost a sweet dear child... it makes me feel my angel has made a difference and helped someone else with their grief. Which helps me make sense of mine!

In time, you too will find the sunny day from the storm you are in...