A Brief History of Lockets


A Brief History of lockets

A lovely customer and friend of mine reminded me over the week end how special some of my lockets truly are, I have many lockets and this is one of my most precious. It is my Grandmothers Cameo locket that I have sealed a photo of her inside.





















My Grandmother




My Grandmothers Wedding day




Locket Ideas





Locket Ideas

Lockets are some of the most personal jewellery pieces a person can ever wear. They can hold the most precious of memories and keepsakes. It is your choice if you wish to open it and share it with the world or keep it closed and private.

Lockets for the most part have two side and therefore can hold two photos or images of your choice. Lockets are sometimes confused with cremation pendants that can be filled and sealed however these pendants do not open to hold images. Still beautiful and a great choice of jewellery for some. Pendants I will talk about another day. Today I will explain lockets and some ideas that may help.

The standard two sided locket is available in solid 9ct gold or sterling silver. Lockets can hold two images of your choice and under these images I can safely seal for you ashes, soil, flowers or sand from Christians seashore. Hair is often asked to be seen so I place this over the image of choice which is quite often hand or footprints.

Your locket images will be sealed watertight and will still open for you like a normal locket. Below are some ideas that may help you when choosing your special memories to go inside.



If you already have a locket special to yourself it may be able to be used
Please click on this link to find out more 
Using a locket you already have 


A Pendant no images
Locket that opens for images





Locket
Pendant



Lockets would have ashes sealed under images inside.
Pendant unscrews at the top and
ashes or hair can be placed and
sealed inside

Rectangle locket not available
other shapes in gold are email me for options 


A locket that holds two CarlyMarie images


Sand from Christians Seashore is safely sealed under the images
Average price of silver lockets $145
on bracelets prices from $185


Angel Baby feet reduced in size and placed on one side
Sterling silver lockets can be placed on to bracelets

(Gold lockets are not recommended for bracelets however Solid Gold Pendants for Ashes are available and suitable to be worn on bracelets)

Images of special places can go into locket. I have placed images of all sorts of things into lockets. Everything from sporting teams to favorite Teddy Bears. If it was special to your loved one and we can get an image of it. I will put it into your locket.


This locket has an image of Mt Everest and a very special man will be taking this to the top of Mt Everest later this year and placing this locket up there to stay on top of the world forever in memory of his sister.


Remembering Anika


Sadly Anika passed at only 18 weeks gestation in this special 4 way locket that flips down we have a beautiful series of images from CarlyMarie. A recognition of life, an Angel candle image remembering Anika always, A letter from her mother, Anika's name in the sand.
Words to a loved one can be so important and powerful I encourage people to write.



Lockets can be used on special occasions such as Weddings to have love one with you on the most special of days or occasions


This locket has words to a much loved mum that was lost not long before her daughters wedding. The bride walked down the isle with her mother in this beautiful locket wrapped around her bouquet. Other lockets I have filled have been worn by Brides on neck chains to have loved ones with them on their special day.
See Weddings for more ideas

Larger lockets prices start from $150


A locket with hair
(Rectangle style currently not available in gold this is and example only of inside options)

This is my locket. Something special for myself with Marks image on one side and what he loves to do more than anything is to water ski, so over an image of him skiing I placed some of his hair.


Below a locket has been fully personalize to have a star placed on the front a lower case "d" is on the back and under the image of this young man is his ashes safely sealed. On the other side is a daisy flower that has been dried and sealed and is one of the flowers from his funeral. Thank you to his family for allowing me to share this image and ideas they used to personalize their lockets

Prices from $150 for silver

Idea for a Widow
In Loving memory of a wonderful husband Wal ♥
The idea for this locket came from a widow that could not bare to be without her late husbands wedding ring. She did not want it melted down and used as I can with gold (click here to see melting down gold) and she did not want to wear it on a traditional chain as over the years it had become quite fragile and worn. So together we came up with a silver locket a butterfly soldered on the front and an image of her husband on side and his ring set on the other, Set so it is safe but not set enough that she can not still feel it. She has given permission for this idea and image to be shared as it may help someone else in the future xx
Prices start at $150 for sterling silver



Images such as feet or hands can be engraved on the front of lockets



Lockets are available in solid 9ct Gold of all colours and many styles

 Once wait list is open I will email you links to lockets you can choose from

As well as bracelets sterling silver lockets can go on single sterling silver bangles prices start at $185 or Russian bangles as pictures prices for Russian Bangles start from $285


Two images in these lockets and can hold hair or ashes 



Lockets in sterling silver of many styles and sizes are available

  Once wait list is open I will email you links to lockets you can choose from 

For more information on sending hair and ashes click here to visit FAQ&A

Please email me to purchase or organize the personalization or your special locket

email: sue@sueellasignatures.com.au

Many locket styles available I will work with you to find the perfect one to suit you. Once you decide a locket is for you I email you to links of my suppliers to pick the locket of your choice


Although locket images are sealed water tight no jewellery should ever be worn in water it is just not good for the metals to know more click on
Care instructions 


Fill yourself heart photo locket
sterling silver 2cm front engraved "Together Forever" (come like this can not be changed)
Matt back finish look plain so can be engraved with your words flat rate $25
Comes with instructions on how to fill yourself once plate clipped in it can not be removed and hair or ashes are safe
Instructions on fitting your image are included 
Price just the locket $60
With a 50cm curb chain $75
If you would like me to fit and seal image that you email leaving only ashes or hair sealing at your end additional cost of $45

email to order sue@sueellasignatures.com.au

So Many styles are available and I can send you to links to see what suits your taste
New ones I want to share are for Dad and a new one for Mum

sterling silver 3cm x 1.8cm


sterling silver mother and child locket
2.1cm x 1.6cm

the gold look is HGP
explained at the bottom of this post with images or round clear lockets


Solid Gold chains available
please click on the link below
Solid gold chains for sale



For those of you that like gold but do not like the price. I have found these "locket" style pendants in stainless steel and the colours of gold Yellow, White and Rose. they have a perspex front and unscrew so you can place something special inside and see it (3.2cm diameter so they are big) CZ's surround the outside. Pendants will hold colour for up to and over 2 yeas with proper care . Notes from manufacture I will place below. Pendants are $55 if you want to fill and seal yourself. If you would like me to fit images or seal valuables then there will be an additional $60 charge. Let me know colour and address for postage and invoicing. sue@sueellasignatures.com.au



Regarding the colour on the stainless steel, this is lron Plating, which is the same method used


for colouring the stainless steel on watches.


316L is the grade of stainless steel used in the jewellery. This is surgical grade stainless steel which is the correct grade to be used for earrings, piercings and other jewellery close to the body.


lt has a lower carbon composition than 316 grade stainless steel and should not oxidise or turn black with regular care.


IP colour coating normaill lasts 1-2 years or more under good managment


The breakdown for the materials in the lon Plating on stainless steel is:


lP Pink: The material contains 60% 18K gold and 40% titanium nitride.


lP Black: The material contains 80% carbon nitride and 40% titanium nitride.


lP Gold: The material conlains 60% 18K gold and 40% titanium.


IP plating process includes a titanium nitride layer and IP colour coating.


IP colour coating includes gold, rose, and black.


IP colour coating thickness normally 0.2 micro.

 

Story Jewellery


Most story jewellery is a wait list item 
(Memory ball mentioned in this post are not required to go on the wait list)  

Stories Told Through Jewellery
With a Story Bracelet or Story Necklace

Over the years I have read and heard many stories, some long and happy and others far too short. Every life has a story and my mission is to help families hold loved one close through unique pieces of jewellery that tell that special story.

Story jewellery can be as simple as a set of charms on a neck chain or as complex as a bracelet filled with little charms. Charms can also be added to these special bracelets as the years pass and often this will happen on special anniversaries.

Charms for story jewellery be as simple as an initial or as involved as a locket that will hold images of your loved one. Images from CarlyMarie with a name in the sand or butterfly. I can reduce in size for you Hand or footprints and they can be placed into your locket from images that are emailed. I believe in the power of word so much I encourage families to sometimes write a letter and this is placed inside.

Ashes, Hair, Soil, Flowers or Sand from Christians seashore can be safely sealed inside under your images. Hair is often placed over little hands or feet so you can see it when you open your locket.

A few months ago got an email from someone I am now happy and proud to call a friend. She told me "Izzy's Story". It was an honour to be given free rein to create and tell Izzy's story.

Story Bracelets are so special and so is this little Angel Princess.


(Email I received)

Hi Sue,
My name is Kylie Symons and my hubby is Brett. Last year we were blessed with the very early birth of our daughter Isabelle, who is sadly now an angel dancing in heaven. I messaged you over facebook as it will soon be Izzy's birthday. She would have been 1 on the 10th of May.
I wanted to share my story as I believe in talking about her keeps her closer to our hearts. Brett and I had been trying to fall pregnant since getting engaged in 2002. I was diagnosed with PCOS at 16 and knew it would take time to conceived. However after 6 years and 2 failed IVF's we decided we needed a break.
I put myself into finishing my diploma as a childcare worker and we brought a new car. Four days after buying the car I took a pregnancy test after my nan who had passed away 9 years to the day came to me in a dream. We were so excited! I couldn't wait the 12 weeks to tell everyone and we started buying and setting up our babies room straight away. After my scan at 6 weeks we were told we were going to miscarry! I got so upset and went to the women's to be checked just to be sure. Fortunately it turned out the guy from the 1st ultrasound had no idea and that our baby was perfect. By 25 weeks we had another scan and still everything was wonderful, a little small but perfect and we were having a girl!
On Mother's Day I was very sick and the next morning I slept passed my alarm and missed my appointment at the hospital. I went to the local chemist and had my blood pressured checked. It was 183/130 by the time i got to hospital it was 210/140. In the birthing suite it took 4hrs to go from bed rest to having my baby right now.
We were so worried and had no idea what to expect just knowing it was way too early. ISABELLE AMELIA SYMONS was born @ 7.33pm on Monday the 10th of May 2010 weighing a tiny 771grams during the start of the best Carlton Football match ever! I missed the whole game but I got my whole world! She fought for 9 weeks trying to breathe but her tiny little lungs couldn't do it. Brett and I could read Isabelle like a book and on the Friday before we let her go I asked her to give me a sign if she couldn't fight anymore.
The next morning she dislodged her breathing tube causing her to go blue, the doctors got her back but we knew that was her telling us she was tired. On Monday the 12th of July we let our angel go, she fell forever asleep in our arms which was the most beautiful experience in such a sad, heartbreaking time. We spend the whole afternoon with her telling her all the things we had wanted to do together, we bathed her, took her hand and foot prints, cut some of her hair to keep and kissed & cuddled her with all the love we possessed. She was beautiful, perfect in every way except for a set of healthy lungs.
I have her name tattooed on my shoulder with a beautiful butterfly colour yellow, pink and purple. Butterflies are a big sign for Izzy as well as rainbows. She was our princess, our hope against hope in a time of despair. She was always be my guardian angel watching over me until we can meet again.
So we would like to have a piece done each and I would like to have one done for my grandmother who Isabelle was named after. I would like a necklace for my nan, a bracelet for myself and a necklace for my hubby. I'm not sure of a design but I am sure you will have a few ideas in mind and if I know my little girl I am sure she will inspire just what she would like for each of us. Feel free to ask any questions and thank you for spending the time to read our story. You are an amazing woman!
All our love and light Kylie, Brett and Isabelle

Izzy's Story in Jewellery


If you read Izzy's story you can see the interpretation I have a football charm engraved with the score from the game the day of her birth. An little Angel girl charm, a locket with two images of her and her mum and dad. On the outside of the locket I had "Our Princess" engraved. There is an Angel ball with her name "Isabelle" engraved. A butterfly. The initials of her two Grandmothers.


Orla's Story


Orla sadly joined her big sister Anika in Heaven and the butterflies are for sisters together. The Angel ball has the girls two names engraved on it. The locket has Orla's name in the sand on one side and a letter to her from her mother on the other. Sadly and of true heartbreak to me as Orla's mother has become a beautiful friend I am to add another Angel butterfly to this bracelet. Kisses to Heaven Angels girls we love you.


Zak's Story


A series of charms his mother has collected of the years since his birth and sad passing to remember him on Birthdays and Christmas. The most recent one is his beautiful little face diamond etched onto a round bead.


Thomas


Thomas will be remembered as his nursery was decorated in all things "Giraffe" and with the significance of a Dragonfly soldered to the outside of a locket. The inside has his name in the sand on one side and a little set of footprints on the other. Then a little "T" for Thomas. I know you are watching over us little man


Bubby


Remembering Bubby and helping to paint the colours in the sunset.
A "B" and "Shell for the seashore" and the all important to paint the prettiest of sunsets a "Paint Pallet"

Remembering a Mother in 9ct Gold
the shell contains ashes


Above is how another story is told a life tragically cut too short in a SCUBA diving accident. This man is remembered with a special word engraved at the top, a piece of glass found on one of his dive trips set in a shell I cast from a real shell I found on a beach, The fin was cast from something special he had is his house and similar to the fins he wore the fin contains his ashes, the Angel wing has his hair in the back that is visible when you turn it over. I was asked to make it as rustic and organic as possible a truly unique and one off. Special thanks to her family for letting me share this with you

Tell me your story and together we can create something unique and one off
sue@sueellasignatures.com.au


How would you tell your story in jewellery?


One off pendants to hold hair or ashes can be created via email consultaion
just as this one below
his very special 9ct yellow gold filigree heart I now have permission to share. For a lady that tragically lost her son far too soon and far too young. She had something special in mind something "Free Flowing" that let in light. In the centre there is a small ball that holds some of his hair and on the outside a precious Sapphire that had been given to her by her grandfather years ago. It was a honour to be able to be part of making her vision and something so special come to reality for her to wear and remember her boy



Memory Ball Open and Closed


Memory Balls are amongst one of my favorite ways to hold a person close everyday. They hold up to 6 images that I will edit and fit for you. The one above is my Wedding Day in black and white and I love it.

Below is a very special young man and images of him throughout his life with the the final image his name in the sand and some of his hair placed and sealed in the sunset.

♥ Ricky ♥

Kisses to Heaven to you Ricky and love and hugs to your family.

Memory balls in silver are keepsake only.
Solid Gold Memory balls are the only ones in the Memory Ball range that can have ashes or hair sealed safely. Sorry this just comes down to the construction of the ball by the manufacture.

First Giveaway Winner

I am happy to announce the Winner of my first Blog giveaway is Debbie Tinkler. Congratulations Debbie and a very big thank you to everyone for supporting my new Blog and my work. I feel so honoured not only that many of you have not only trusted me already to make very special pieces for you but I feel honoured that so many of you feel safe here to share your stories. More about stories and sharing tomorrow when I start to Blog for real. Love and light to you all.

Sue-Ella Silver locket and Eddy Bear Giveaway



To celebrate my new Blog and The Eddy Bear Company's new website, Tracey from Eddy Bear and I would like to offer this wonderful combined giveaway to show how much we appreciate the lovely families and people that like and follow our facebook pages, both Sue-Ella Signatures and The Eddy Bear Company.

With our pages and products we both hope to bring healing in some way to families. The jewellery we feel can bring comfort throughout the day as you wear it and the Bears are wonderful for the night time when you really need a cuddle. Both the large sterling silver locket and your Eddy Bear can hold ashes, hair, soil or sand from Christian's seashore. The locket and Bear will be fully personalized for you. The locket will also be able to hold two images of your choice. This can be photos, images of names in the sand or even hand and footprints.

To give everyone time and opportunity to win this healing gift from Sue-Ella Signature Designs and The Eddy Bear Company we will be leaving this competition open for comments until Tuesday 14th of June 2011. To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment below. Make sure you leave your name.

Love and Light

Sue and Tracey