This spring I had Petsessories make me some Interchangeable Armband Number Holders for two junior handlers Willow and Sophia, if you didn’t see the post you can read it here. I then had an armband custom made for my buddy Tom who show’s one of my puppies Josey. Since Tom is a hunter and Josey is his hunting dog I thought it would be cool to have a armband made in camo with a shotgun shell as the jewel for the middle to hold the event number.

Armband custom made for Tom.

Amy did a fabulous job and made just what I wanted so then I had another request. I thought about a custom armband for my friend and I using camo ribbon, a shotgun shell from one of our own shells we have used during hunting and then ashes from our beloved pets that have left us. I felt a little strange emailing Amy and asking her if she could full fill my request. It started out asking her if she could put some ashes behind the shotgun shell and seal over it so our dogs could always be with us at events. I didn’t know how Amy would take the request and I’m happy to say she was so open to the idea and was honored to make us a memorial armband.

Ashes and spent shells.

I then asked my friend for some ashes of her two dogs that have passed away and then a shotgun shell that she wanted to use in a craft I was having made. I didn’t tell her what I was up to and she got me what I needed. I got ashes from Norman and Nellie my two foundation Chesapeakes at Sand Spring that have passed away. I then took a spent shell from my last hunt with Norman in Saskatchewan and sent the works to Amy to have her work her magic.

JoAnn’s armband front and back.

Amy kept in contact with me through out the whole process, she showed me what her thoughts were and then the progress during the making of the custom armbands.

The front of the cover.

The covers are removal or Interchangeable as her logo describes. I can take the cover off the armband and change it out with another cover if I want to. I can put either side out so people can see it.

The back of the cover.

While designing the memorial piece Amy asked for pictures of our dogs. I sent her some photos of my dogs and my friends dogs. She incorporated them into the memorial. I asked that she put the ashes behind the spent shell but Amy was able to find a locket where she could put a picture on one side, the shell on the other and have the ashes in between where they are visible no matter what side is showing.

She then went further and attached the memorial locket with a lobster claw. It can be removed from the cover. I loved this idea and was hoping I would be able to remove it as I was thinking I would love to wear it around my neck when I’m not at an event, that way I could enjoy it and show it off more times through out the year.

A video of the ashes moving in the locket.

Selfie time showing off the memorial locket as a necklace. I am so happy with my purchase and so happy with the results. A multi functional piece.

Amy did a beautiful job on my friend Lynne’s armband. Her’s is made with ashes from her first chocolate lab Katie and GSP Daisy. She hadn’t opened their ashes ever after they were cremated. I was honored that they trusted me enough to open them up and see them to give me a little piece of each of them.

Daisy and Katie.

Lynne’s first two loves.

A couple weeks ago I gave Lynne her memorial. She was in awe with the piece and thought it was very special.

When Amy sent her work back to me she included the spent shells and ashes that she didn’t use. Some people are creeped out at remains so I can’t thank Amy at Petsessories enough for full filling my request and not thinking twice about it. She did a beautiful job on both pieces and now we have our dogs with us at all times. I’ve already had many compliments on my piece while wearing it around my neck. I don’t have an upcoming rally o event until the end of August so until then it will be around my neck.

If you would like to follow Amy on Facebook you can visit her page here. Visit her Etsy shop here.