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Blood Milk was born in the last days of Summer 2008 out of an unexpected death that cleaved my life into a before and after I've never fully recovered from. Grief has a way of feeling like both a raging house fire and a smoldering hearth fire, singing the edges of one's life. A piece of sea glass that tumbles around in the chambers of your heart throughout the years, alternatively worn smooth by time but still capable of cutting when you least expect it. Perhaps you know of this long dance I speak of, perhaps you have lost someone or something you have loved or longed to understand. For me, this was my father. Understanding this time in my life, attempting to understand death and the spirit world, which has been a dual fascination since childhood, had led me to create found object jewelry, in attempts to replicate my own mourning traditions inspired by those the Victorians once ritualized. Created in efforts to be a balm to a grief I thought I would never recover from, spiritual companions as well as tactile objects to ground me in my body when I felt untethered by waves of grief.
From these collaged jewelry objects, the sterling silver jewels we now make were brought into being. Inspired by folklore, Grecco-Roman mythology, fairytales and other themes from the enchanted world long since lost, each piece of jewelry is imbued with a story and intention. Made in sterling silver, one of the seven metals of antiquity. Historically, silver was considered a lunar metal linked to intuition, psychic sight, protection and dreams. I have always loved and worn silver, and though we offer gold by request, silver will forever be the foundation of Blood Milk. Paired with natural gemstones, our work is decidedly both chthonic and of the moon, focusing on the beauty that is found in dark, liminal times.
Our studio is located in Olde City, one of the oldest parts of Philadelphia, founded in the late 1600's. Our dedicated team of bench jewelers bring their knowledge and skill to Blood Milk; many hands touch and work on every piece, from the wax work that is involved to the final finishing. Each step of the way your piece of jewelry is worked on exclusively in our studio. Our work is all locally cast by family run businesses in the historic Jewelers' Row district, which was established in 1851. This makes it the oldest continuously operating diamond district in the U.S., which we are honored to add our contribution and legacy to.
Whether you are looking for a piece of jewelry to celebrate a milestone, to give as a gift, to wear as an amulet for protection or for luck, know that each piece is made intentionally and with love. We are grateful for our many clients who support us for a variety of reasons and who come from a multitude of backgrounds, from longtime serious collectors to those just finding us. Thank you for caring about small business and those of us who chose to see beauty in strangeness.
“...throw roses into the abyss and say: 'here is my thanks to the monster who didn't succeed in swallowing me alive.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
