OUR STORY

This is about how the journey of Cremation Creations began.

 

This journey truly started with my wife and her passion for animals.  My wife, Betty, is a small animal veterinarian, and she has had a true love and appreciation for animals since she was in grade school.  When I met her in 2008, I knew I had something special on my hands that I didn’t want to let go of.  During that time, I spent countless hours at her veterinary office, watching her work her magic for people and their pets.  In 2009, we tied the knot, and not long after, our son C.J. was born....our little “peanut”.  In 2012, I left my job, and we decided that I would be the stay-at-home parent. 

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Over the next few years, I would continue to assist Betty with her business wherever I could, from basic painting to renting floor buffers to remodeling parts of the veterinary hospital. In addition, I would often assist my wife when she would do a house call euthanasia for a client and their pet.  Every time I would witness the ending of each special pet's life, it never got any easier.  However, learning the circumstances for each pet owner’s decision to end their loved one's suffering brought some peace. 

 

It also touched me to see how much they loved their companion. I realized that these animals were not just pets - they were members of the family. I enjoyed hearing stories of their lives together, from how they met to touching memories of travel and time well-spent. Often, the people will cradle them during the final moments, surrounded by pictures on the walls of their life together. Regardless of the pet's age, size, species, or breed, these companions are truly and deeply loved, and each will be missed terribly. 

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In 2017, my wife introduced me to a gentleman by the name of Mike. His new company, Guardian Angels, was chosen by Betty to help with the aftercare of these beloved animals.  During the open house for Guardian Angels, I got to talking with him and noticed he offered a wide variety of services, including glass beads with ashes inside that owners could then wear around their necks as a keepsake. He shared that he would love to have someone fill a certain nitch that many of his clients have been asking for: custom earrings made using their pet's cremains. As I had some time on my hands and was a Stay at home Dad, I decided to give it a shot at making the set of earrings and a ring. 

 

Even though it didn’t exactly fall in line with my passion for woodworking, I sat back and pondered on how I could help Mike out, as well as complement my wife’s business and passion for animals.  I started to ask myself, is this something I am capable of doing?  Would it allow me to still be a stay-at-home dad - something that I love being?

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 I started acquiring supplies and equipment, and let my creative and engineer sides work together to create something unique and hopefully desired.  I came up with designs for custom, personalized wood rings, titanium channel rings, earrings, key chains, hand-made urns, and pendants, all made with cremation ashes and Opal or Mother of Pearl combined together. 

 

In January 2018 I finally had made a pair of cremation earrings and a ring that I felt worthy enough to share with Mike from Guardian Angels.   Low in behold, the wife said were getting a business license.  So, in February 2018 I set on a path to build a website. Come March 14th 2018 Betty personally drove me down to the San Diego County Assessor and the Website was immediately turned of for business.

 

Ultimately, I hope to provide a cherished, one-of-a-kind, custom-made keepsake - a piece of jewelry that can allow someone to carry a piece of their loved one with them. Thank you for considering allowing me to create something special for you!