Chesterfield hospital worker's determination to make cremation jewellery accessible for everyone

There are sparkly earrings and brooches, flowery keyrings, and colourful swirling glass coasters.

Everything is handmade with a lot of love - and they represent a turning point for their creator.

“I found a piece of myself with all this,” says Emma, as she surveys the items.

“12 months ago I was working as a healthcare assistant at Chesterfield Hospital.

“After a slipped disc left me housebound for six months, doctors told me that if I went back to my job, I could be left in a wheelchair.”

Emma was forced to give up the job she loved, becoming a hospital receptionist, and was left feeling despondent and depressed.

“It was a tough time,” reveals the 32-year-old.

“I’d trained hard for the work I was doing, and went from 12 hours shifts to reduced hours behind a reception desk. I felt useless.”

Emma decided she needed to find another passion.

“I needed something else to pour my heart into,” she explains.

“I tried all kinds of hobbies - furniture decorating, cross-stitch, wood burning, painting plant pots, macramé – but everything bored me really quickly.”

Then one day, Emma saw a YouTube tutorial for glass coasters and set about creating some.

“I loved it,” she smiles.

“I started making and selling them, and then began creating jewellery and keyrings as well.”

The true turning point came when she was contacted by a customer who asked if she could make cremation jewellery to store a loved ones ashes.

This struck a chord with Emma.

“When I was 15, I tried to find a piece of jewellery for my dad’s ashes, but everything cost hundreds of pounds, and in the end I had to give up.

“I decided to give it a try, mixing ashes in with the resin, and the result was really pretty.”

After that, Emma regularly took orders for cremation jewellery.

“Handling people’s ashes is such an honour, but also such a responsibility, and I work really hard to make sure people get exactly what they want.

“I’ve handled the ashes of people’s parents and grandparents, and one woman even asked me to create something to hold the ashes of her baby.

“I’ve had people crying at the front door with joy when they collect things, and then I start crying along with them, it means so much.”

For every item of cremation jewellery, no matter the shape or style, Emma charges just £10.

“I want this to be something everyone can have,” says Emma, who lives with her husband Jack in Spital.

“I’d do it for free if I could.”

Emma is still working at Chesterfield Hospital, something she has done continuously throughout lockdown, with jewellery-making taking up most of her spare time.

“I’m often up at 4am mixing resin before work,” she says.

“If I have an idea, I can’t sleep, I just have to get it out of my brain and try it.”

“I feel so grateful to have finally found my passion.”

Visit foxesandlace.com for details.