Custom horse hair jewelry/keepsake recommendations?

[myleetlepony]

I lost my mare this weekend

The vet kindly cut her tail for me. I would like to have some of the hair made into a ring, necklace or bracelet and I've been searching online at designer sites. I really like the quality I am seeing at House of Salmi, but I would like to look at other designers. A lot of what I am seeing by searching "custom horse hair jewelry" comes up with some pretty chintzy looking stuff.

Can any of you recommend a quality designer that you've used?

I'm also thinking to have a piece of pottery made, but I haven't decided for sure yet...so any other ideas for keepsakes would be very much appreciated.

[PaulaO]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I cannot say enough good things about Trisha at Galla Deisgns in Canada. www.galladesigns.com. She made my bracelet when I lost Bob. She started her business when she lost her Galla. She is very respectful and sympathetic. She treats you and the hair with dignity. Her designs are beautiful.

The idea of pottery with my horse's hair kinda squicks me out so I have no reccs for that.

[bettyk]

Alice at Kleio (also in Canada) made a stunning bracelet for me. I would not hesitate to use her again--very tasteful, elegant work:

http://www.kleiojewelry.com

[Sunshine2Me]

My friend just lost her gelding, and I ordered pottery from here:

http://www.myhorseart.com/

I am very pleased with how it turned out, and I believe the owner is a rider. It's my second piece I've ordered from her. I have one for myself of a horse I used to have.

[PaulaO]

I apologize about my comment on the pottery. That was insensitive of me.

PonyLocks.com also does beautiful work. She made a watchband using Bob's tail hair.

[Sunshine2Me]

It's all good Paula.

[redsoxluvr]

Sorry to hear of your mare's passing.

FWIW, I know Paws had a necklace made from her Per that was lovely. It had a simple charm that I recall being just beautiful. Maybe she will chime in with details.

Hugs to you.

[myleetlepony]

Thank you everyone, I have some places to look.

Paula, I do understand your pottery comment...my mom does pottery and when she was taking classes years ago, she asked if I would mind cutting her some of Nikki's tail so that she could learn to fire with it. I was a bit skeeved about it at the time, but the pieces turned out beautifully. I can appreciate it now. Unfortunately, she sold those few pieces.

I think I also want to do an inlaid brow band with some of it. I am sure eventually another horse will fall into my lap and to have Nikki with us while riding would be comforting. IIRC, someone on here or from the UDBB did custom browbands, are they still on here?

[PaulaO]

I looked at the House of Salmi's website and I'd love to have a ring with Bob's hair inlaid. Gorgeous.

[LeoApp]

I am as we speak getting a bracelet made by Nanna Salmi. She has another website that looks like it has more choices.

http://nannasalmi.com/collections/bracelets/

and she is also on Facebook. Her stuff is very expensive but so unique I just had to have a special bracelet made from my beloved Apollo's tail. She is in Finland and it takes 4-5 weeks. I have been waiting about 3 weeks now. I will let you know how it turns out but I know it will be lovely. It is going to be the Mountain Peak design with white gold.

Nice horsehair pottery is Sue Adler (I think she is on Long Island) http://sueadlerpottery.homestead.com/ and http://www.claypony.com/index.html

I am very sorry for your loss. I am still grieving.

[PhoenixRising]

I have no recommendations, but I am so very sorry for your loss.

[Canyon]

myleetlepony, I am so sorry for your loss.

I am taking notes, as don't know if I want to put my old gelding through another winter. Sue Adler's pottery is really nice!

LeoApp, I did not know you had lost Apollo - many condolences. I have always admired your beautiful spotty boy and think I remember a nice photo shoot that you did with him.

[LeoApp]

Canyon - thank you so much. Yes I treasure those photos from the photo shoot. The photographer did such a great job.
I didn't post anything here, but he had a stroke on Dec 4th and I really had no choice but to let him go. He was just a few weeks shy of his 33rd birthday and I had had him for 19 years. I am still kind of in shock over it.

[mld02004]

Leoapp, I am so sorry. I can remember lots of stories about Apollo over the years. I felt like I "knew" him.

[LeoApp]

Thank you mld02004. This is what I posted on Facebook (it's public)

https://www.facebook.com/christina.pret ... 2765757027

Sorry I don't mean to hijack this thread.

[lorilu]

I am so sorry for your loss.
Lou Petty does amazing work here in Ocala. A few of my friends have her work. Not cheap - but definitely worth it.
http://loupetty.com/

This potter has exhibited at the Fine Art for Ocala show a few times. Nice work. http://thehairy-potter.com/

[myleetlepony]

Thank you, everyone. I'm still taking things day-by-day. I had her for almost 20yrs, since she was 3 and I was 18. It is very strange to no longer be a horse owner and not have her be the driving force behind time schedules, budget, weather watching, etc. The hardest part is never being able to give her a hug again...she hated them but I knew every part of her coat, smell and musculature.

LeoApp, thank you for the Nanna Salmi website. I did not know that existed. I am sorry for your recent loss, too.

For such big animals, they sure worm their way into our little hearts...

[LeoApp]

I knew every part of her coat, smell and musculature - I know, right??!!

It took me two months before I was ready to do something with Apollo's tail. Just looking at it made me so incredibly sad.
Nanna is wonderful. She personally emailed me to discuss some design considerations. If you want to get one of her pieces, be aware that you can't get them directly from her. She has brokers that handle the transaction. I went through Tailored Equestrian, but they are in Ireland. It wasn't until after I sent the order and tail over there that I realized I could have gone through a broker in the US. It probably would have been easier. For the US
contact Noelle King www.stylemyride.net

[fergusnc]

I have no rec's but just wanted to say that I am so sorry for your loss. And Leo, geez, I have no words. There are some horses you get to 'know' over the years through these boards, and you just forget that they are not immortal.

[LeoApp]

Thank you fergus. I was kinda of hoping he was immortal but he will live forever in my heart (as corny as that sounds).

[Code3]

For one horse I got jewelry from Tail Spin Bracelets. For another horse, I ordered from Whiskey River Designs. I was very happy with the quality of each. Whiskey River Designs offers a wider variety of products.

[LeoApp]

Here is my finished bracelet!

nannasalmipic.jpg (194.68 KiB) Viewed 21752 times

[Canyon]

LeoApp, that is a gorgeous bracelet!

[LeoApp]

Thank you Canyon. I am so happy with it!! She really captured the essence of the spotted wonder horse. I love how she photographs it with the remaining tail hair (which she returned). The clasp and heart are white gold and the heart is engraved on the back.

[exploding pony]

I can't say enough about Trisha at Galla. Not only was the work beautiful, she was compassionate and incredibly kind.

[Sunshine2Me]

Oh wow! That turned out beautiful!!

[myleetlepony]

That turned out beautiful, Leo

[LeoApp]

Thank you. I love it and it really gives me some comfort.

[bettyk]

Well, rats, the website address I posted for Kleio was apparently wrong. This one will get you there (I think):

http://www.kleiojewelry.com/Necklaces.html

[Code3]

Beautiful!

[LeoApp]

bettyk - that is nice jewelry. For some reason the 'home' link on that site does not work, but the rest of the website is fine.

[Kelo]

LeoApp, that is beautiful! Wow!

[LeoApp]

Thank you Kelo.

[PaulaO]

Today I'm at Rolex and ordered a ring from Pony Locks. Sterling silver with Bob's hair channel set. She just started offering the ring and I'm the first order.

[myleetlepony]

Paula, if you pass by her booth again, do you mind posting samples of her work if she's ok with it?

[PaulaO]

MLP, I won't be back to the trade fair. I do have a brochure that I will be happy to send you when I get back. PM me your snail mail address.