About the Artist
I’m Merry Coor and I live in Eureka, California, a small coastal town in Humboldt County.
I began making glass beads in 2000. Living in Northern California, I am surrounded by the most beautiful views, loving energy, and joyous community bound together with music and laughter.
In 2012, a young couple asked me if I could incorporate some of the ashes from a dear friend, lost too soon, into a bead as a keepsake. I was honored to do this service for them. My bead making now gave me a new purpose, and a way to honor others, both living and passed.
It was 80 degrees in my studio that day, but I had chills as I was making the beads.
The experience was amazing for me. As I made this special glass bead, I meditated, pondered, and let my mind free. I felt it was one of the most important beads I had ever made in my life, and I’ve made thousands of beads over the years.
When the couple returned to pick up their beads, we felt we had connected; we cried hugged each other. They had a tangible touchstone, housing the ashes of their loved one as a keep sake, and I had found a new dimension to my art.
I make each of these beautiful keepsake beads by hand, one at a time.
I use a torch and rods of special, colored, silvered glass. The glass is melted and formed into a round bead. The ashes are then incorporated into a spiral design on the bead, and the entire design is sealed in a clear layer of glass.
The colors are ethereal, like a planet or a universe, or the infinite heavens. Each individual bead is a unique and lasting gift – just like the memories of your loved one.
Each individual bead is special – just like your memories of your loved one.
When I go into my studio to make a bead, I am centered and my thoughts are clear. I am in a good mood. I put only my best energy into each bead. If I am sick or having a bad day, I don’t make beads. I only want good energy, love, and good thoughts incorporated into every bead I make. I take making beads with ashes very seriously and begin each bead with the utmost respect.
About the beads
If you decide to have me create an ash bead, I will send you a padded, pre-paid envelope, along with instructions and a small tin where you will place the ashes. Send me about ½ teaspoon of ashes for each bead and any photo, letter, or story about your loved one.
When your bead is complete, you will receive it within 3 to 7 weeks, the bead or beads you requested and any photos and information you may have sent me. The bead will be finished with your choice of an 18 inch sterling silver or gold filled chain, and clasps. Bead caps and head pins finish the bead into a pendant.
If you wish, you may send a photo of your loved one, the music that they like to listen to, and even a story about them. I will listen to their music, and look at their photo, and put good intentions, and energy, and heart into their bead.
I am the sole artist.
This is not mass production done in a factory. Each bead is made one at a time, for the individual in my studio. My materials are of the highest quality. I use Italian, and American made glass. I use the clearest glass to encase the bead for the highest magnifying quality.
It gives me great purpose and pleasure to make these beads for you.
I hope that the beads give you comfort, and help with your grief.
