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In Memoriam · Grief Support Keepsake Art

Heartful Memories

Turn the things they loved — a ring, a watch, a fishing lure, a golf tee, a team pin — into a framed keepsake that tells their story. A gentle, hands-on way to remember, for men and women alike — in person in Ottawa, or live on Zoom from anywhere in Canada and the U.S.

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GalleryWays to take partDesign ideasPricingGift certificates
Three framed keepsakes made from vintage jewelry: a heart, an angel and a butterfly
A heart, an angel and a butterfly, each made from treasured jewelry
For him & herAny treasured items
In personOr live on Zoom
Psychological First AidCanadian Red Cross
35+ yearsServing our community
Why this matters to me

Forever in our hearts

This one is personal. It's my dad's portrait, the keepsake heart that holds his ashes, and a jewelled cross I made in his memory, displayed together at home. Seeing them together every day keeps him close to me, and that is what inspired me to help other families create a lasting tribute of their own.

A framed portrait of Darlene's dad, a silver heart keepsake engraved Forever In Our Hearts 1936 to 2015, and a shadow box holding a cross made of blue crystals, pearls and rhinestones
My dad, forever in our hearts, 1936–2015
See it come together

See how it's made

Watch Darlene walk through a Heartful Memories keepsake, from a drawer of treasured pieces to a finished tribute.

Every piece has a place

Their things are too precious to give away, yet they often sit in a drawer. Heartful Memories gives those treasures a place of honour. Bring a handful or a whole jewelry box. Keepsakes aren't only for jewelry, and they aren't only for women.

  • Rings
  • Brooches
  • Necklaces
  • Watches
  • Cufflinks
  • Tie clips
  • Pins & medals
  • Team pins
  • Fishing lures
  • Golf tees
  • Only one or two pieces? We bring vintage pieces, costume jewelry, pearls and crystals to fill out your design.
  • Valuable jewelry can be mounted so it can be removed and worn again later.
  • Sharing is always optional. You can talk, or simply create.
A tabletop spread of vintage brooches, necklaces and earrings
Choose what feels right

Ways to take part

Choose what feels right for you and your family. Tap “Learn more” on any option for the details.

Family Session

1–4 people · 2–3 hours · Ottawa area

A quiet, personal session in your home or a nearby venue. Can be split into shorter visits.

Learn more
  1. Gather the things that remind you of them.
  2. Remember — tell us about them, if you'd like.
  3. Design & build with Darlene's guidance.
  4. Treasure — add their name, dates and a few words.

Every item is photographed and recorded, and anything unused goes home with you.

Group Workshop

Up to 12 · 3 hours

Hosted by grief support groups, hospices, funeral homes, churches and residences, or join a public workshop.

Learn more

A gentle, unhurried session in a small group. Sharing is always optional, and no art experience is needed. Can also run as three 1-hour sessions within a weekly grief group.

Information for grief groups, hospices & funeral homes →

Live on Zoom

2 evenings · 90 min · Canada & U.S.

Your kit is mailed to you, then Darlene guides you live from home. Family in different cities can take part together.

Learn more
  • Evening one: welcome, gentle remembering, sort your items and lay out your design.
  • Evening two: build, add their name and words, share if you'd like.

Small groups of up to 8 households. Camera and sharing always optional. Classes are never recorded.

Built in Their Honour

For men · no jewelry needed

For men who'd rather do than talk. Workbench tables, coffee, and no sharing circle.

Learn more
  • The Storyteller — empty the tackle box or golf bag onto the table. You choose what goes in and what it says; our team does the handwork.
  • The Display Case — his lures, tees, puck, medals or watch, mounted like a trophy case.
  • The Recorded Story — tell one story; a QR code on the frame lets the grandkids hear it.
  • Made for Someone Else — a piece for Mom, or a small case for each grandchild.

In person, on Zoom, or as a men's night for your legion, Men's Shed, club or church.

Darlene's silver angel made of pearls, amethyst and crystal, in a black shadow boxNanaForever in our hearts

Made for You

About 2–3 weeks

Darlene or our team creates the piece for you with your loved one's jewelry and your words.

Learn more

Wording: In Loving Memory, Nana, Nonna, Grandma, Papa, Nonno, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, their name and dates, or your own words.

  1. Tell us about them and the wording you'd like.
  2. Drop off or mail your treasures.
  3. Approve a photo of the layout before anything is attached.
  4. Receive your framed keepsake, with unused pieces returned.

Ordering one for each grandchild? Ask about family sets.

From My Heart to Yours

For older adults & those living with serious illness

Choose what you leave behind, and say why. Turn your own jewelry into keepsakes for the people you love.

Learn more
  • A piece for each child or grandchild, or a family Tree of Life.
  • A note in your own handwriting tucked in the back — “Why I chose this for you.”
  • Your voice, recorded, with a QR code on the frame.

Short visits of 20–45 minutes at home, in a residence or in hospice. Make it yourself, or simply choose and tell us. Priority turnaround of about 7 days when time matters.

Inspiration

Design ideas

Every keepsake starts with one item that was most them. These are starting points — we'll design around what you bring.

A cross of mother-of-pearl, pearls and champagne crystals on sage green linen, in a white frame
Darlene's own piece

The Cross

Mother-of-pearl, pearls and champagne crystals on sage linen. For him, we can work in his cufflinks, tie clips or a hobby piece at the centre.

A jewelry angel with blue crystal wings, gold chain and green and pearl beads on black, in a white frame
Darlene's own piece

Guardian Angel

Built from brooches, chain and beads. For him, use his wedding band or tie tacks, with a hobby item in the angel's hands.

Fishing

The Catch

Their lure becomes the fish's eye or tail; a watch face or cufflinks make the scales.

Golf

On the Green

Golf tees form the flagpole or border; their ball marker becomes the hole.

17
Sports fan

Team Spirit

A jersey in their team colours, crested with their own team pins and their number.

Handyman

The Workbench

A wrench or hammer outline with his keys, washers and wristwatch.

Boating · Navy

Anchor

Chain and cufflinks form an anchor — for sailors, boaters and cottage lovers.

Service

Maple Leaf

For those who served — medals and regimental pins displayed whole, never glued.

Classic

Angel

Brooches for the body, earrings for wings, pearls for the halo.

Love

Heart

Pearls, crystals and her wedding and anniversary rings at the centre.

Remembrance

Cardinal

Red stones and beads — a much-loved sign that loved ones are near.

Transformation

Butterfly

Earring pairs become the wings; a favourite pendant forms the body.

Gardener

Flower Bouquet

Brooches bloom as flowers, with necklace chains for the stems.

Baker · Host

Teacup

Charm bracelets and beads over a copy of her handwritten recipe.

Family

Tree of Life

Each family member adds a ring, birthstone or charm as a leaf.

Faith + hobby

Cross with a Passion

A cross of his cufflinks with his lure, tee or team pin at the heart of it.

Couples

Together Always

A double heart — one side for each parent or partner, joined at the centre.

Angel + hobby

Angel Gone Fishing

The angel holds a fishing rod of fine chain — or a golf club made from a tie bar.

Hobby items like lures and tees fit in our deep shadow boxes. Hooks are always made safe. Finishing touches: name and dates, an optional photo, and a phrase you choose — “Gone fishing,” “Forever our MVP,” “Always in our hearts.”

Simple, honest pricing

Pricing

All prices in Canadian dollars. Take-home kits ship across Canada and the U.S.

OptionPrice
Guided workshop — 5×5 · 5×7 · 8×10, kit included
In person, on Zoom, or as a private family session. Jewelry is included to complement your own if you're using a loved one's jewelry.		$55 · $65 · $75 per person
Take-home kit — 5×7 · 8×10
Make it at your own pace. Includes a pattern if you'd like one, and access to our how-to videos (coming soon).		$50 · $70
Made for You — 5×7 · 8×10 · 11×14, wording included$95 · $165 · $225
From My Heart to Yours legacy visit$75 per visit
What's in a kit, and add-ons

Every kit includes: shadow box frame and backing card, design jewelry (vintage pieces, costume jewelry, pearls and crystals), a pattern if you choose one, jewelry glue and removable-mount supplies, pliers and tweezers, printed nameplate, labelled keepsake bags, step-by-step instructions and local grief support resources. Take-home kits also include access to our how-to videos once they're available. Men's Display Case Kits (no jewelry): $55 · $79.

Add-ons: recorded story with QR code $35 · engraved metal plate $12 · photo insert $5 · priority 7-day turnaround $40.

Give the gift of an experience

Gift certificates available.

Give someone a new skill, a creative evening or a fresh start in the kitchen. Gift certificates ($50 or $100) and 4-class series packages ($150) are available online, and make a thoughtful holiday gift for parents, grandparents, friends and colleagues.

Order a Gift CertificateOr call 613-227-3633
This is a creative remembrance experience, not counselling. If you need more support: 9-8-8 call or text, any time Bereaved Families of Ontario – Ottawa 613-567-4278 Hospice Care Ottawa 613-260-2906

Let's honour them together

Book a family session, join a live Zoom class, or order a kit. Grief support groups, hospices, funeral homes and churches: see how we partner with you.

Book a Session Email Darlene