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This amazing pendant was designed and created for me by DeAnna Cochran. She set up her business DeAnna Cochran Jewelry designing amazing family heirlooms in her Georgia studio following the tragic death of her first born son Jackson aged less than a month old after being born 4 months prematurely in 2004. She has turned that loss into something very positive and special.
DeAnna has designed a few amazing pieces for The Alarm, which is where I first came across her work. I first met her at The Gathering in Llandudno in 2018 when she was over from the US. My initial hope was to feature her story in The Record, and the plan was to meet up in New York in May 2018 at The Alarm’s New York Gathering. Unfortunately she didn’t make it to that, so we didn’t manage to do a chapter for the book. I did get to say a brief hello to her at this year’s event in New York when I made a return trip.
The Record is without doubt one of the finest achievements of my life. A fitting tribute dedicated to the memory of mum who died of bowel cancer in 2016. I’d come up with the idea of wanting a memento and made contact with DeAnna a couple of months ago. I had no idea whether she would be able to something with the design of the book cover, which is a wonderful painting by Greg Gilbert – a musician, artist and poet who has stage 4 bowel cancer, and who also features in the book.
The design DeAnna came up with is magnificent, and captures the painting perfectly. She asked me during the design process if I would perhaps like to have Mum’s signature on the back of the pendant. My initial reaction was to say no, as I felt that it was still all a bit too raw for me regarding Mum. However, having slept on it and giving it some more thought, I decided that actually it would give the piece that extra special meaning for me. I’m so pleased I changed my mind as I love having the signature on it, as I feel I am carrying something of Mum with me.
DeAnna was quite wonderful the whole way through the design process, guiding me at every stage. I was initially a bit worried that the piece I wanted might prove to be out of my price range, but DeAnna took me through all the options, and she came up with the prefect piece that was very affordable and within my budget. DeAnna also made sure my item was completed and despatched to the UK in plenty of time for Christmas.
Take a look at DeAnna’s website https://deannacochranjewelry.com. She sells a wonderful array of items as well as being able to make your very own bespoke item. Once again this story goes to reinforce the many positives that have come into my life following the devastating loss of Mum to bowel cancer.
