Hi, I’m Kellie — the hands and heart behind Rest of the Nest.
Like so many stories, mine began with a pregnancy that felt easy and uncomplicated. After welcoming our first child, my husband and I assumed growing our family again would follow the same path.
It didn’t.
A few weeks into our next pregnancy, we experienced a heartbreaking miscarriage. In the days that followed, I found myself longing for something tangible — something I could hold, wear, and return to when the grief felt heavy. Something that quietly acknowledged that our baby existed and was deeply loved.
One afternoon, sitting at my kitchen counter in tears, I noticed a bouquet of roses and baby’s breath nearby. I remember thinking how small and delicate the baby’s breath was — and how preserving one tiny piece of it might help me feel close to the baby we had lost. That moment became the beginning of the very first Rest of the Nest necklace.
I had no background in jewelry making. There were many failed attempts, lots of troubleshooting, and plenty of patience required. But eventually, I created a piece that brought me comfort — something that helped anchor my grief and gave my love somewhere to land.
I listed that necklace on Etsy quietly, unsure if anyone else would understand it the way I did. To my surprise, it resonated with other mothers walking similar paths. Orders came in. Messages followed. Stories were shared. Before I knew it, I was spending my days creating keepsakes for people who, like me, needed something gentle and real to hold onto.
Not long after, we tried again for another baby. When we heard the heartbeat for the first time, I felt hope return — carefully, tenderly. At our next appointment, we learned that pregnancy had ended as well. The grief of that second loss hit differently, deeper in some ways, but through it all God was present in our pain and the purpose of Rest of the Nest deepened.
Through all of it, I learned something that shapes every piece I make:
Grief doesn’t need fixing. It needs space. It needs acknowledgment. And sometimes, it needs something tangible.
Today, Rest of the Nest exists to offer that space.
Every keepsake is handmade with intention, care, and deep respect for the story it represents. I know how sacred these pieces are — not because I was trained to, but because I’ve lived it. Each necklace, locket, and keychain is made as a quiet companion for grief, remembrance, and enduring love.
Since those early days, Rest of the Nest has grown into a full-fledged small business, trusted by thousands of parents and gift-givers seeking meaningful ways to honor loss. It is an honor I never take lightly.
If you’re here because you’re grieving, please know you are not alone.
If you’re here because you love someone who is, thank you for showing up so thoughtfully.
Rest of the Nest was created to hold space — for memory, for love, and for the truth that even the smallest lives leave lasting marks.
Holding you gently,
Kellie
Founder, Rest of the Nest
