For an Alabama Coast Shrimp Boat Capt’n…who lived
and loved fully, unabashedly, his own way. These shrimp boat urns were
handmade in his honor, for each of his three sisters.
Will was described as loving life and everything about it. His wife, Paula, wanted something related to nature to remember him...maybe a Pine Tree or nature scene? We suggested that a Pine Cone urn would be cool and she agreed.
They were married in Lake Tahoe and she saved a pine cone from their time spent there together. Following his passing, Paula returned to Lake Tahoe for some needed time and reflection. She took along Will's cremains and scattered a portion of the ashes there in remembrance of him and their union.
Pine trees hold a special place in our hearts too. We loved creating this piece to honor Will. We hope that it offers Paula, and their family, some comfort and beauty in their time of mourning and in the years ahead.
It was a Friday morning when we received an order for a guitar urn with an engraving. This particular order came through a third-party online distributor who lists our products on their website.
It was the next morning when the distributor emails us about a misunderstanding with the production time/our schedule... the family who ordered it was under the impression it would arrive within a couple days. Our current work flow is 2-3 weeks for the production and personalization of an order. We informed the distributor that we could process the order on rush for a fee, but she opted not to do the expedited production.
It was at this point we became curious about the situation. We looked up the deceased's name online to see if we could discover more information. We were able to find public posts on social media referencing the tragic accident which took the man's life. There was an immense outpouring of shock, sympathy and love for this man who had a great impact in his community. Within the posts, we learned that the family was planning a memorial service for that Wednesday evening.
It was then that we made the decision to do whatever it takes to get this order to the family in time. We were inspired to help the family's situation. Regardless of whether the distributor would pay the rush fee, we would expedite the order as fast as we could.
It was over the course of the next 48 hours, that we "pulled out all the stops" and processed the guitar faster than we had ever done before. We worked through the first night and had accelerated our processes enough to get it into the kiln 24 hours after we cast it.
It was Sunday afternoon when we notified the distributor that we looked up the family's situation, the accident, and that were working on getting it out for the Wednesday service. Seemingly unconcerned, the distributor told us it was fine to get it out later, that the family was ok with getting it after the service, and to send it ground delivery.
It was then that we remained committed to our goal and doing the right thing for the family. It was in the kiln already, so we continued forward. The kiln takes approximately 12 hours to fire and cool down. As soon as we were able to pull it out of the kiln, we began painting the guitar...and again, worked throughout the second night.
It was Monday morning that we received a message through our Etsy store. A customer was inquiring about a guitar urn. They weren't concerned about having an engraving, but really just wanted to have guitar urn by Wednesday, and to please call. Rob returned the call right away. After hearing the man's plea, Rob asked if it was the same family that had ordered through the distributor...and, in fact, it was the same family. The family was discouraged with the distributor's stated timeline, and were seeking out another piece that was ready to ship.
It was at this moment that Rob was able to reassure the man that we had been working on their loved ones personalized guitar with engraving. Rob told him how we found their story online, read about the accident, and made the decision to rush them their order. He was able to tell the family "we're overnighting it today and it will be there tomorrow." They were blown-away and very grateful by our initiative and efforts.
It was that Monday afternoon that we were able to bring this family comfort during a very distressing time. It was that Monday afternoon when we knew we made the right decision to follow our hearts.
It was that Tuesday when it arrived safely to the family.
We're sometimes overcome by significance of this memorial art and what it means for others. We take it so seriously, that it has it's moments of overwhelm with our desire to always do our best and meet any expectations the customer has...
...then we stop and take a deep breath.
We reflect on our purpose and give thanks for opportunities... to be a positive force, bringing comfort to others through our work... it's powerful, it's humbling, it's heartbreaking, it's beautifully human... it's love.
From our first communication with the Theriaque Family, we were so touched by their open hearts and kind words....
We worked with them to create a unique butterfly urn to remember their little girl. They chose design elements that they wanted represented.....the size, positioning, colors and engraving inscription.
The result, a sweet, precious cremation urn for Baby Vienna....
Now for sale in our Etsy shop....
