My Journey
As the proud founder of Footprints & Feathers, I am Karen Phillips, and I have devoted my craft to creating lasting tributes that honour the memory of loved ones.
My journey began from a place of personal experience, understanding the power of memorial keepsakes in the healing process.
In the closing months of 2020, I experienced the profound sorrow of bidding farewell to three beloved family pets.
The series of losses began with the loss of my cherished Bichon Frise, Buster, in April, followed by the loss of Bobby in August.
The string of heartaches continued when, in December of the same year, my adored Ragdoll cat, Cato, succumbed to a tragic road traffic accident close to my home.
Losing a beloved pet is incredibly hard, just like losing a family member and when Buster passed away, I was deeply saddened. To keep his memory alive, I had a special pendant commisioned with his ashes in and although, it made me feel better, it was expensive.
Over time, I started to think about whether spending a lot of money was necessary to remember someone.
When my other pets Bobby and Cato also passed away, I couldn't afford to spend that much again. So I decided to make my own tributes for them in the form of a Pandora bead. This not only helped my budget but also helped me deal with my sadness. It felt good to make something special to remember them by.
Through this, I learned that the real value of a tribute is in the love and memories it represents, not how much it costs.
These events marked the genesis of the concept for Footprints & Feathers and so, in April 2021 I set up my Facebook page and set off on my Memorial Jewellery business journey.
Initially, the concept was to help other pet owners create unique memorials for their pets without spending a lot of money but I was to face another heartbreaking loss in 2022.
On 13th March 2022, I faced yet another heartbreak as my beloved Mum lost her battle with cancer.
As a dedicated enthusiast of jewellery, it felt right to honour her by crafting her ashes into a stunning ring imbued with significance.
Drawing from my Mum's roots in County Wicklow, Ireland, I had a classic Irish Claddagh Ring intricately designed in 9ct white gold in Dublin. Within the heart of the ring lie my mother's ashes alongside crushed emerald and resin – an exquisite tribute to her enduring memory and love that will forever remain close to my heart.
Since 2022, I have been commissioned to make numerous pieces of jewellery for customers who have lost either a loved family member or a precious furbaby. I have enjoyed making each and every piece and to know that each customer feels that forever bond with their loved one makes my heart swell with pride.
I hope I continue to help and support you in your time of grief
Love and best wishes