Getting Started
How to Send Your Materials
Sending something irreplaceable takes trust — and I don't take that lightly. Here's everything you need to know to get your materials to me safely.
Within 2 hours of Lake St. Louis, Missouri? No shipping needed — we will collaborate in person, and your finished piece will be personally delivered to you. Reach out through the contact page to get started.
Step 01
Package your materials
Place each inclusion in its own individual sealed zip-lock bag — for example, ashes in one bag, hair in a separate bag, breastmilk in its own bag. Then place all the individual sealed bags together into a second zip-lock bag (double-bagged), and put everything inside a bubble mailer envelope. Ship via USPS with tracking to: Everclose Jewelry c/o Susan Brocksmith 310 Pointe Loma Blvd. Lake St. Louis, Mo. 63367 Important: Do NOT write "cremains" on the outside of the package — USPS will charge additional fees. Once shipped, please email, text, or call to let me know it's on the way so I can watch the tracking. Any unused cremains or preserved breastmilk powder will be returned to you.
Step 02
I'll confirm receipt
Once your materials arrive safely, I'll send you a confirmation. From there, your piece enters my creation queue and I'll keep you updated on progress.
Step 03
Finished jewelry shipped back to you — free
Return shipping on your finished piece is always on me. I'll send you an email and/or text with your tracking number as soon as it ships. Turnaround time is 2 weeks from when creation begins to when your finished jewelry ships, providing the jewelry setting is in stock. If a setting needs to be special ordered, average turnaround time is 4–6 weeks.
What to Send & How Much
A little goes a long way. Here's a guide for each type of inclusion.
Cremation Ash
1 teaspoon
Place in a sealed zip-lock bag, then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag (double-bag). Put the double-bagged inclusion into a bubble mailer envelope and ship via USPS with tracking. Any unused cremains will be returned to you.
Breastmilk
10ml per piece
Fresh or frozen only — not ounces, just 10ml. Freeze before shipping if possible. Place in a sealed zip-lock bag, then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag (double-bag). Put the double-bagged inclusion into a bubble mailer envelope and ship via USPS with tracking. Any unused preserved breastmilk powder will be returned to you. If you'd like extra preserved for future use, you can add that option at checkout for $35 per additional 10ml.
Pet Fur or Hair
10 strands
No need to wash or prepare — just as it is. Place in a sealed zip-lock bag, then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag (double-bag). Put the double-bagged inclusion into a bubble mailer envelope and ship via USPS with tracking. Exception: horse tail hair must be at least 30 strands of the longest available tail hair so it can be braided. Have questions about horse hair? Contact me before sending.
Human Hair
10 strands
Can be from a haircut, a lock saved from childhood, or any meaningful source. Place in a sealed zip-lock bag, then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag (double-bag). Put the double-bagged inclusion into a bubble mailer envelope and ship via USPS with tracking.
Dried Flowers
Just 1 petal per color
Only one petal of each color you want included is needed — a little goes a long way. Flowers must be fully dried before shipping. Press and dry for at least 1–2 weeks first. Place in a sealed zip-lock bag, then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag (double-bag). Put the double-bagged inclusion into a bubble mailer envelope and ship via USPS with tracking.
Other Inclusions
Small amount
Sand, fabric threads, or other meaningful materials. Place in a sealed zip-lock bag, then place that bag into a second zip-lock bag (double-bag). Put the double-bagged inclusion into a bubble mailer envelope and ship via USPS with tracking. When in doubt, reach out before sending — I'm happy to advise.
Please keep a backup — never send your last
While I take every precaution to protect what you send, please never ship your very last of anything. Always keep a small reserve at home. Cremation ash, breastmilk, and other inclusions are irreplaceable — having a backup gives us both peace of mind. The only exception is if we are meeting in person, where your materials never leave your hands until they're with me directly.
Ready to begin?
Start by designing your piece, then ship your materials to me using the instructions above. Have questions before you begin? I'm happy to help.