“I turn my breast milk into jewellery”
Erin Parnell decided to make the most of her excess supply and now sells her unique accessories online
hen her fourmonth maternity W leave came to an end, Erin Parnell decided to stop breastfeeding. But the new mum continued to express her milk and used her craft skills to turn it into homemade jewellery. Her designs are now so popular, she even sells her bespoke creations online.
Erin, who lives in Basingstoke with her partner Simon, 33, and their five-month-old daughter, Elara, says, “After researching online, I discovered that it was possible to use my breast milk to make jewellery. I’d never been that creative before, but once I started, I really enjoyed it. People were so impressed with the results, they started putting in requests.
“There are those who think I’m crazy, but it’s great to know that my breast milk hasn’t gone to waste – I’d encourage all new mums to try it.”
Erin, 36, gave birth to Elara in September last year and was determined to breastfeed. She explains, “I went to mother and baby classes and, after hearing about the benefits of breast milk, decided to give it a try. I loved breastfeeding; it created a special bond between us.”
MAGICAL QUALITIES
However, due to her work as an area operations manager, Erin knew she wouldn’t be able to breastfeed forever and began expressing her milk for the future. She says, “By the time I went back to work in January, I had 250 6oz bags of milk in my freezer. Me and my friends had an ongoing joke about breast milk’s magical qualities and I began to wonder what interesting things I could do with it, alongside feeding my daughter. I’d seen photos online of pieces of jewellery made from breast milk. It looked beautiful, so I decided to give it a try.”
Despite watching Youtube tutorials, Erin soon realised it wasn’t as easy as she’d first thought. She says, “Initially, I tried to put liquid milk into molds, but they wouldn’t solidify and became sticky. I didn’t want to give up, though, and read that it was possible to turn milk into powder. I bought a high-quality dehydrator and got to work, mixing it with different colour pigments, flowers and resin.”
After six weeks, Erin had perfected the technique. She says, “My first success was a purple heart that I now wear around my neck every day. People used to laugh when I told them what I was doing. But when they saw the finished products, they started asking if I could make them a bespoke piece. So I set up a website where women can send me their breast milk, children’s hair or even ashes to be put inside jewellery – they all use the same technique and it means that mums can have a special keepsake.
FAMILY HEIRLOOM
“I normally need between 20 and 30ml of milk for each order and can create a bespoke item within five weeks. My friend has even asked me to make her wedding jewellery using her breast milk.”
Erin has only been in business for four weeks, but has already made about £600 selling pieces that cost between £20 and £65 – and she has high hopes for the future. She says, “As Elara grows up, I plan to make pieces from her hair and teeth. Eventually, I hope the keepsakes will be passed down through the generations. Wearing my necklace means my breast milk will last a lifetime.”
❛SOME PEOPLE THINK I’M CRAZY – BUT I’D ENCOURAGE ALL NEW MUMS TO TRY IT❜