An introduction to making breastmilk jewellery by Nikki Kamminga. Learn why breastmilk preservation powder can help new artists sell immediately without having to wait for their method to be proven and how you can trial your own methods at the same time. Learn the differences between glass and resin, epoxy and UV.
Advanced Breastmilk Jewellery Course
This Advanced Breastmilk Jewellery Course is going to include some techniques not previously shared before and provide you with the knowledge to create a successful breastmilk jewellery business. You don’t need to have breastfed a baby yourself to take the course, and everyone is welcome.
Thank you so much to everyone for your patience and can’t wait to hear what you think. You may have taken the basic course already as a warm-up for this extensive Advanced Breastmilk Jewellery Course, and may find some of that content duplicate. I used the basic course as building blocks for the advanced course! Each module and lesson I write are so exciting and the hardest thing for me is not getting carried away, but I hope you can understand why I’ve saved the best stuff for the advanced course.
At the end of all the modules, upon completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate and one will be sent to you in the post with a wax seal of authenticity and signed in person by me, Nikki Kamminga
You will find more than enough for anyone to get started with their new business, even if it’s beginning as a hobby or craft, or to DIY. If that’s you, don’t worry, I definitely think you have a place here. There’s always a seat at this table for everyone, no matter your background or experience. From the experienced jeweller whose best friend wants you to add breastmilk to a custom design, to the doula whose clients have asked for recommendations, to the chestfeeding trans man who nursed his baby through dysphoria but stopped sooner than he wanted in order to bind again. You could be someone like me, barely keeping their head above water as a stay at home parent and desperate for a small business that will make enough profit to cover a childminder a few hours a week – I don’t think anyone reading this will judge those parents who need some time to themselves. I genuinely think this is the best possible business for us unfulfilled new parents; it has fair profit margins so time away from your baby can quickly translate into money you can spend on groceries. At the same time, you’re absolutely helping people to remember a special time in their lives that passes so quickly. You might not really care too much about profit and be doing this for your community, in which case I’d advise you to still charge the going rate, then as soon as you can, employ someone to help you create pieces that you can mentor.
Offer pro-bono wherever you want to – for me that’s to the milk donors (all three of my babies had donor milk) and to the families whose babies were born sleeping. For you it could be someone who breastfed through adversity such as a baby in NICU. “Common sense” says not to undervalue yourself but giving away pieces or just asking someone to cover your costs can be a great way to gain experience and some 5* reviews. We’ll cover more of this at the end of the course and I’ll show you some ways to make sure your ball starts rolling
Please note, this course does not contain a recipe for our breastmilk preservation powder! It will give you advice on coming up with your own method to preserve breastmilk but I’m not giving out a full working method because what has worked for me has not worked for others and vice versa!
Supplies
You’ll need the following supplies as a minimum to complete the course and create a breastmilk jewellery business. The ones in bold are included in the Basic Breastmilk Jewellery Supplies bundle here or you can purchase one of our business startup kits here which contain more supplies with a bigger discount. If you’ve already purchased many of the supplies it’s not too bad. You can print out the list when you get to the second lesson in the course where each of the supplies is explained.
Whether you’re trialling your own method or using Breastmilk Preservation Powder you will need:
- freezer and breastmilk
- PPE (respirator mask, safety goggles, vinyl gloves)
- bain marie/double boiler and spatula
- breastmilk preservation powder (for DIY kits and your own use)
- small and large sealable bags
- Sharpies
- label backing paper or baking parchment
- silica gel sachets
- white pestle and mortar
- breastmilk sending tubes
- Some ring sizers
- resin – UV and a UV lamp, or epoxy
- UV top coat
- silicone moulds – beads, spheres and cabochons (round, oval, heart and teardrop are the most popular)
- pigmented resin sparkle mixes and breastmilk pearly sparkle mixes but you can make do with old powder eyeshadow!
- opalescent flakes and eco glitter (recommended)
- various precious metal leaf colours
- cocktail sticks
- hairdressing scissors
- tiny measuring spoon
- jump ring opener
- clear PVA glue (also known as Elmer’s or school glue)
- tweezers (use your own and treat yourself to a new pair if you use them)
- curved burnisher or a teaspoon
- a plier set (honestly the cheapest you can get and second hand are the best!)
- ring sizing stick
- rotary tool or a pendant drill (I got one second hand on Ebay)
- silver polishing cloth
- bead cores in stock ready to use when ordered
- a small variety of necklace settings and chains
- some rings in popular sizes (UK sizes M, O and Q, US sizes 6, 7, 8) and adjustable
If you need any help getting hold of the supplies you can get in touch with us. Let us know if you have any questions about the course before purchasing!
Nikki Kamminga
Please note, some of the links in these lessons are affiliate links meaning we may receive a small amount of commission based on your purchases at no extra cost to you.
Modules
Types of Keepsake Jewellery
Learn about glass and resin, epoxy and UV and creating other types of jewellery in addition to breastmilk
Lessons
Breastmilk Preservation
All about breastmilk preservation, how to trial and practice your own methods and use breastmilk preservation powder
Lesson
Breastmilk Preservation Techniques
Learn methods to preserve and trial breastmilk, which methods work and which don't. This module covers wet and dry methods and how to trial them.
Lessons
Advanced Breastmilk Preservation Powder
All about breastmilk preservation powder, how to buy and store the powder and how to use it. Which equipment to use, how to heat and avoid problems. Learn how to dry and grind the preserved breastmilk into a powder to use in breastmilk jewellery and how to mix it with resin, including the best type of resin to use for you!
Lessons
Advanced Breastmilk Jewellery Additions
Learn how to add the most highly requested additions to breastmilk jewellery. Also called “inclusions” or “elements”, you will find out how to create pieces with hair, cord, colour and other kinds of sparkles. From baby’s first curl or lock of hair, to umbilical cord stump or dried placenta powder, to mica, precious stones and gold leaf.
Lessons
Advanced Breastmilk Jewellery Techniques
Nikki teaches you the difference between direct pour and using silicone moulds to create breastmilk jewellery with the pros and cons of each. Covering the direct pour technique, and the three main types of silicone moulds: cabochon stones, sphere moulds and bead moulds. For each technique, Nikki covers adding hair and cord and additions like sparkles and precious stones, birthstones and methods to get swirls and shapes.
Lessons
Advanced Direct Pour Breastmilk Jewellery
Direct Pour Breastmilk Jewellery, using breastmilk in resin to fill a setting directly, adding extras and doming
Lessons
Using Moulds To Make Breastmilk Jewellery
This module covers how to use silicone moulds to create cabochons or stones, orbs and spheres, beads and more. Learn the difference between different types of silicone moulds for jewellery and which works for each kind of resin. Buy, store and even learn to make your own moulds.
Lessons
Making Breastmilk Cabochons and Stones
Advanced cabochon stone making with breastmilk in resin. Learn to work in layers to create stunning flatback stones with lots of depth, ideal for making breastmilk rings, necklaces and earrings. Nikki shows you techniques to add hair, cord and sparkles to the breastmilk cabochons
Lessons
Making Breastmilk Orbs and Spheres
Advanced orb, sphere or pearl making with breastmilk in resin. Learn to work with a sphere mould to create beautiful orbs, ideal for making breastmilk necklaces, earrings and keyrings. Nikki shows you techniques to add hair, cord and sparkles to the breastmilk orbs, how to drill and then finish them with precious metal findings.
Lessons
Advanced Making Breastmilk Beads
Learn how to make breastmilk beads, using breastmilk in resin to fill a mould. European large hole style charm beads to fit bracelets. You can add extras such as hair and sparkles.
Lessons
Making Ornaments and Other Items
Use moulds to create larger pieces with epoxy resin for clients who don't wear jewellery and want to remember their breastfeeding journey. Learn about breastmilk art and furniture too.
Lessons
Silversmithing and Making Rings
This module covers some metalsmithing, silversmithing and goldsmithing including how to make ring shanks and solder on a bezel cup for direct pour and cabochon stone breastmilk jewellery. Nikki will tell you some ways to find a teacher to begin your silversmithing. Learn how to commission designs using CAD or use wax to have designs cast.
Lessons
Selling DIY Kits
How to make up DIY breastmilk jewellery kits to sell to your clients and even wholesale. Instruction templates and kit ideas
Lessons
How To Market and Sell Breastmilk Jewellery
How To Sell Breastmilk Jewellery in person and online, including social media like Facebook and TikTok, free and paid for sales channels such as Etsy, Wix and WooCommerce. Some advanced breastmilk jewellery SEO tips to get your website or sales channels to rank on search engines such as Google.
Lessons
- Introduction to Selling Breastmilk Jewellery
- Lifestyle Photography for Jewellery
- International Spellings
- Naming Your Keepsake Jewellery Business
- Finding Your Inspiration
- Logos and Branding
- Taking Payments
- Advanced Breastmilk Jewellery Photography
- Breastmilk Jewellery Photo Editing
- Creating Social Media Accounts
- Hashtags and Trending Sounds
Breastmilk Jewellery Selling Platforms
Selling platforms like social media, Etsy, Shopify and WooCommerce websites for Breastmilk Jewellery
Lessons
- Selling Platforms for Breastmilk Jewellery
- Does Etsy Allow Breastmilk Jewellery?
- WordPress and WooCommerce Websites
- Breastmilk Jewellery SEO
- Going Viral and Media Coverage
- Working With Influencers
- Upselling and Linkselling Breastmilk Jewellery
- Who Breastfeeds?
- Packaging and Shipping Breastmilk Jewellery
- Jewellery Care Instructions
- Navigating Complaints and Refunds
Starting Your Breastmilk Jewellery Business
You finish the course with a guide to making friends and contacts within the industry, Facebook support and further learning. At the end of this you’ll be ready to start making and selling your own breastmilk jewellery pieces with a great community to support you.
Lessons
- Things To Remember Before Starting
- Breastmilk Sending Kits
- Studio Organisation and Workspace
- Dropped Stones and Lost Orders
- Supplier List
- Purchasing Supplies
- Wholesale Purchasing
- Costing and Pricing Breastmilk Jewellery
- Pro Bono Keepsake Jewellery
- Selling Laws
- Writing Terms and Conditions
- Importing Breastmilk and The Law
- Tax Returns and Accountants
Supporting Yourself and Your Family
Some ways to balance work and family life, support yourself with your income and work from home with the hours you choose
Lessons
- How To Turn Craft Into Income
- Expanding Your Breastmilk Jewellery Business
- Prioritising To Get More Done
- Juggling Childcare When Working
- Going Part Time to Full Time
- A Day in the Life of a Breastmilk Jeweller
- Working From Home or a Studio?
- Mental Health and Bullying
- Protecting Your Home Address
- Taking on Help
- Combatting Imposter Syndrome
- Who To Talk To About Breastmilk Jewellery
Conclusion
A few words of wisdom from Nikki and the chance to ask questions