We have been creating milk jewellery for families all over the world since 2013. Below we cover many frequently asked questions, which will help guide you in making a straight forward and informed order with us.
What do I need to be able to send my milk?
You will only require
Good quality breast milk storage bags or 3 - 4 zip-lock bags
A pen and paper to write your name (matching the order online), order details, & your preferred flecks and shimmers.
More detailed information is emailed to you after an order is placed.
How much is typically required to create jewellery?
Please send us 30ml - 50ml of milk, and no less than 10ml.
Typically we require 30ml for 2 - 4 pieces, depending on size. Small designs require less milk which means we can easily create many multiple pieces.
If you have placed a large order for milk jewellery and you live outside of Australia, please do not send any more than 50ml of milk per package. If you are required to send more than 50ml, please package these amounts up in separate mailing bags/envelopes and send them. Label your mailers with package 1 of 2 and package 2 of 2 so we know we are to expect them separately.
If you are unsure on how much to send if you are placing an order for more than 3 pieces, please feel free to email us.
Can I mix items such as milk and placenta/umbilical together?
The only inclusion we will combine with milk is hair. Please note not all designs can hold milk & hair, so please check the design descriptions for this information.
Why can't I add flecks to my milk jewellery piece?
We recommended only using pearl/gold shimmer or Opal flecks when choosing milk jewellery pieces. The reason for not recommending other flecks has to do with their size and texture. The end result may not be smooth and 'jewel like' and as such we feel using fine shimmers (or Opal flecks) work better.
If I am sending milk do I need to send my milk frozen?
Fresh, frozen or defrosted milk is perfectly fine to send. We can work with milk which has been frozen for many years.
How do I collect breast milk if I am still breastfeeding or in the process of weaning?
Our best advice would be to pump milk (using your hand or a pump) into a container at a time which feels most comfortable for you. Place this container into the fridge and add milk to it over the next 3-4 days. As this milk won't be consumed, it is fine to add to.
If you haven't placed an order as yet, we would advise to transfer this milk into a storage bag and place it into your freezer - Don't forget to write do not consume or dispose of on this!
If you have placed an order, you can just tip this into a storage bag and follow further instructions which you will receive after your order has been placed.
Can you work with high lipase milk?
Yes absolutely!
Will my milk go off ?
Breast milk has amazing properties and does not spoil the way cow's milk would. It will keep beautifully for the process of creating your precious jewellery. We have been creating jewellery using breast milk since 2013 being sent from all over the world & have never had issues with breast milk travelling. Please follow the instructions on how to send and do not pack in ice etc. Your milk will not go bad.
Will my milk jewellery look exactly like the pictures on the website ?
Breast milk is as individual in colour as we are as people. For this reason please note that your piece will not look like the photos on the website .... even they differ! We see milk that is as white as paper through to beautiful creamy yellow and even blue/pink/green tinges. Please note that your milk has nothing added to it to change its colour. We believe this is what makes each piece so special.
Your piece will not look like the next person's, nor will it look like the photos on our website (which all differ too). For beads there could be a seam mark from the mould and all resin pieces can have small bubbles inside as the resin hardens. Flecks and shimmers dance around and settle in their own way, a way we can not predict or change. We don’t see these as flaws or imperfections. We see them as unique and amazing just like the inclusions you send us.
What do you do with remaining milk?
BTWT clearly labelled processed milk and store for minimum 6 months AFTER a package has been sent home. This ensures a safety net as we understand there are a lot of women who are working from low supplies who wish to order again.
Will my milk change colour over time?
Since 2013 we developed a trusted and reliable process to safely preserve human milk, eradicating bacteria's and other nasty's which cause milk to break down and rot. This method has been tweaked over the years to give us the most reliable way possible, and from there, our milk keepsakes are just as beautiful as the day we created them for you.
If your stone ever does seem to change colours, we do find there's sometime a settling in period which happens over the first 8 - 12 weeks, so a very slight change is possible - You most likely won't even notice! Later on, if your stone is yellowing, I assure you that it is an easy top coat fix and will not affect the actual inclusion stone.
We always finish off our stones with protective clear coats, and sometimes when this is exposed to things such as constant use of hand sanitiser, chemicals, dyes, self tanning solution, long periods of UV exposure, it can cause your top coat to dull or alter in colour. Our resins we use are jewellers grade and contain UV stabilisers to avoid this - however, as life happens, sometimes these things happen.
We do offer viewing jewellery which may be experiencing changes, and it is possible for us to refresh your top coat again for you. Depending on different factors, this may be a free or paid for service.