The Meaning Behind Keepsakes

The Meaning Behind Keepsakes: Why We Hold On to the Things That Matter Most

We all have certain things we simply cannot throw away, but I’m particularly sentimental, just like my mum.  Items often kept may be a drawing your child done, a handwritten note, love letter or card tucked away in a drawer.  A lock hair carefully stored in a memory box. A piece of jewellery that belonged to someone special or was gifted to you by someone special. A photograph that instantly reminds you of a moment we never want to forget.  These items hold no value to someone else, but to us they are precious and priceless.  They are no longer just an object, they are a piece of our story and something to be remembered.  

At For the Love of Joy, I take care creating beautiful handcrafted keepsakes that honour the full journey of life, preserving precious moments from new beginnings and childhood milestones to treasured memories, enduring connections and heartfelt remembrance.

Why Keepsakes Matter

I’m not alone in being sentimental, we often attach meaning to objects because they become connected to our experiences, relationships and emotions.  When we look at a treasured keepsake we are remembering a moment, a milestone or a loved one.  These memories are too precious to let go.

Keepsakes help us preserve memories that words sometimes cannot fully capture.  Simply looking at your keepsake can fill you with joy and feel like a hug.  A memorial piece can become a source of comfort during difficult times, giving you something tangible to hold onto when you can no longer hold your lost loved one.  Whether displayed in your home or worn every day, it serves as a lasting connection to a loved one and the memories you shared together. 

For me, as a maker who grew this business from my journey of grief, I have many memorial items.  My most important ones are my memorial ashes ring and my memorial ashes heart stone.  The ring is a favourite for me because it means I’m carry my mum with me all the time.  When I have something stressful going on or I just want to talk to her I touch my ring and it makes me feel connected to her.  The memorial heart stone is another favourite because I keep it an ornament in our motorhome, I feel this helps me take my mum travelling, something she wished she had done more of.   

The loss of a loved one changes everything and one of the hardest parts is not being able to see them, hear them or hold them.  During those moments, tangible connections such as a memorial piece can really help some people.  I can’t say a memorial keepsake will take the pain of grief away, but it can provide comfort.  That’s why I started For the Love of Joy.  I take pleasure in providing comfort to those who have lost a loved one and I make sure every piece is created with the same dignity and respect they deserve because my personal experience is the heart of my business and my business is a lasting tribute to my mum, who I know will be so proud of me.   

Keepsakes are not only about remembering those we have lost.  They are also about celebrating the beautiful chapters of life that pass far too quickly.  As a parent myself I have an abundance of photos and various items from when my children were small.  I love digging these out from the attic every so often.   All parents will know that a tiny newborn doesn’t stay tiny for long.  We often keep their first curl or haircut, their baby teeth, that we essential bought whilst being the tooth fairy and the endless creations they draw or make.  These moments are often out best but are oh so fleeting and yet they represent the most magical of experiences.  

That’s why I create keepsakes from breast milk, first curls, baby teeth or other treasured mementos.  My aim is to create pieces that represent what is important to you and allows you to preserve the milestones in a way that lasts for generations.  I hope to continue to grow and extend my range and I welcome custom requests.

When you buy inclusion jewellery or a keepsake, you are preserving something irreplaceable, and every item is a story.  This could be a husband remembering his wife, a daughter honouring her mum, a parent preserving the precious breast feeding journey or their first curl or lost tooth.  

These stories matter, that is why I believe the process of ordering and making should never feel rushed or transactional. Entrusting me with cremation ashes, breast milk, a lock of hair or another precious item requires a lot of trust, and I will do my utmost to ensure you feel supported throughout the process of ordering and crafting your piece and always ensure you are happy with the item.  The pleasure for me is knowing you love your keepsake.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Love

Sarah