Meet Erika LaFore | DNA Keepsake Artist & Mother of 3

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika LaFore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wasn’t able to breastfeed my firstborn for more than a couple of days, which was rather disheartening to me. In a way, I’ve always mourned the breastfeeding journey that I missed out on and often felt like my body had failed not only her but myself, as well. In turn, I was more determined than ever to “successfully” (whatever that means) breastfeed my second child upon his arrival. To my surprise, I once again had a very low supply and struggled to keep up with my baby’s hunger demands -and, once again, I was absolutely devastated. I decided to do everything in my power to provide him with as much breast milk as possible, for as long as possible. Around the time that he turned 8-months-old, I discovered the art of breast milk jewelry and fell in love with the idea. It seemed like the perfect way to commemorate all of my own trials, tribulations, and celebrations with breastfeeding. I have always been on the creative side, so I decided to attempt to make myself a ring with my own breast milk. After lots of research, trial, and error, with breast milk preservation methods I decided to take the plunge, and Ten Tiny Toes Jewelry Co. was officially born!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create jewelry and other timeless keepsakes with the goal of preserving life’s most precious moments. I work mainly with DNA elements such as, but not limited to, breast milk, cremation ashes (both human and animal), encapsulated placenta, dried umbilical stump, hair/fur, and embryo ash. I also work with other personal non-DNA items, such as dried flowers, fabric, dirt/soil, etc. I will never stop being fascinated by the fact that each keepsake comes out just as unique as the story behind it. I feel so proud to be such a small part of so many big moments in people’s lives by providing them with high-quality, tangible ways to keep some of their most important memories alive.

Getting to where I am today, as both a business owner and an artist, has taken endless hours of hard work and perseverance. It has taken me just “showing” up -even when it’s not easy, a willingness to step outside of my comfort zones, and an intrinsic hunger for personal growth. Just as importantly, it has taken an overwhelming amount of love and support from so many people all across the globe.

Throughout my journey as a Keepsake Artist, I have learned how to genuinely value community over competition. I find it incredibly important to have the support of others who understand both my struggles and victories -and that I show them the same level of support in return. That all being said, I would be lying if I told you that I never get jealous of other artists. It can be difficult to avoid comparing myself to other artists in the industry and to be left feeling that I’m less successful or talented than they are. Whenever I catch myself feeling this type of way, I do my best to remind myself that we are all on such different stages of our journeys and comparison is truly a disservice to all parties involved.

When it comes down to it, I hope for my brand and products to be remembered by people for their quality, authenticity, meaning, and beauty.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Honestly, I am an introverted homebody at heart, but if I had to choose somewhere to go spend lots of time in Colorado it would probably be Estes Park. There are so many beautiful sights, an abundance of wildlife, and adorable small shops in the area. The hot springs in Glenwood Springs, Georgetown, and Seven Falls are some other great places to visit, too. We have so many cute mountain towns in this state! As far as food goes, you can’t beat the delicious Mexican food at Santiago’s! Another favorite of ours, for when we’re craving a cool treat, are the snow cones at Bahama Bucks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I would like to recognize my mother and father for the unconditional outpour of love and support that they continue to show me. Without them, I wouldn’t be nearly as successful as I have been in this endeavor. Secondly, I would like to recognize my children and my husband. If it weren’t for them, I most likely would have never come to start this business in the first place. I will never be able to express the amount of gratitude that I have for the support that my husband has shown me when it comes to my business. Thanks a million for always taking on three kids (even after long days at work) and listening to me obsessively speak about new ideas. Lastly, I would like to recognize Nikki Kaminga, the owner of Keepsaker Supplies and Tree of Opals. The guidance and knowledge that they have passed on to me throughout the last few years mean more than they will ever possibly know.

Website: tentinytoesjewelry.com

Instagram: @tentinytoesjewelryco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tentinytoesjewelry

Other: TikTok: @tentinytoesjewelry