MurrayandMe exists because my daughter did. Lexi Grace, born sleeping on the 25th November 2015 at 27 weeks. She was beautiful. My placenta failed her, and me. Despite presenting with reduced movements and being monitored twice it was on the third occasion I was given the devastating news that my daughter no longer had a heartbeat. I delivered her stillborn two days later.
I had an absolute yearning to have her with me -all the time! So I made myself a necklace with her initials on, they sat proudly on a little charm next to the initials of my 2 year old son.
I took a year off work on maternity leave and was determined not to waste it but to do something productive, something in Lexi's name that she would be proud of.
So, I designed a collection of personalised jewellery, intended for women, especially Mothers so they could have their children’s names, birthdates or initials hand stamped into the design, creating a unique piece of jewellery that had real meaning and that they would treasure.
In 2016 I went on to have another beautiful daughter. Throughout the pregnancy we were superbly looked after at The Tommy's Rainbow Clinic, part of the Tommy's Stillbirth Research Centre at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester. It provides specialist antenatal care for women who have suffered a previous stillbirth or neonatal death. They also conduct vital research has into the prevention of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
I owe so much to Tommy's rainbow clinic for helping me and guiding me through the darkest of days in my pregnancy and delivering my rainbow, another beautiful baby girl.
During this time, I kept busy working away on new designs for MurrayandMe. Soon family, friends, and friends of friends requested personalised pieces but not just of their children's names, birth dates or initials but for bridal jewellery and bridesmaid gifts, anniversary and birthday presents. All beautifully unique and personal to the wearer.
The main heart-warming consistency is that every piece of jewellery I stamp celebrates the loved ones in the wearer’s lives. As they literally wear their story and carry their loved ones close. Just as I do when people ask me what the 3 initials on my necklace stand for. My three beautiful children.
I'm immensely proud to be able to donate £2 from our classic collection and £10 from our Starlight collection to Tommy's baby charity. Thank you in advance for supporting them too x
