Love by Lait

Basic Information

Business Name: Love By Lait
Website: www.lovebylait.ca
Established: 2022

Questions answered by: Anna Langevin

Social Media

About Them

Can you please fully explain your business or product line?

Love by Lait focuses on keepsake jewellery with our main focus being on jewellery made from breastmilk. 

When someone places an order on our website, they are placing an order for a customised keepsake. Once an order is placed, 1oz of breastmilk is either picked up in person or mailed to me. 

After I have your milk, it goes through a process of denaturing (extreme heating, cooling, and drying periods) before it’s ready to be combined with resin and cast into its final shape. The versatility of resin allows me to make a variety of pieces including rings, earrings, necklaces, and figurines. 

Love by Lait has also made keepsake jewellery from cremation remains (ashes), placenta powder, umbilical cord, formula powder, hair (both animal and human), sand/earth from a special place, and wedding or funeral flowers with many more options available. 

And lastly, we are excited to introduce a number of different breastfeeding & mama-themed apparel.

With the Winnipeg local maker community continuing to grow, what is the most important thing you’d like potential customers of your company to know?

Keepsake jewellery is an investment piece, a piece of jewellery that is built to last. At Love by Lait, we use only the highest quality resin with built-in UV blockers to prevent it from yellowing over time. 

Keepsake jewellery is incredibly intimate. Do your research, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to speak up if something isn’t what you had envisioned it to be. We strive for perfection.

What inspired you to start your business?

A decade ago, my life changed forever with the birth of my first child. As a teenage mother, breastmilk jewellery was something I simply couldn’t afford. It had been around, but only in the States and it was terribly expensive. After the birth of my second child in 2021, during the pandemic, I once again looked into breastmilk jewellery and soon realised this was something I could do for myself with my art background. It still wasn’t terribly common around Canada, but nonetheless, still beautiful. 

I struggled with breastfeeding, pumping, and formula feeding and needed some closure after our breastfeeding journey unexpectedly came to an end prematurely. Love by Lait was soon born at the kitchen table when I made a few pieces for my close friends (because let’s face it, Pandemic Babies are so a thing) and eventually, I was taking orders!

What was the biggest struggle you’ve had to overcome?

The part I struggle most with is the business side of things! Marketing, social media, and keeping up with emails! I work as a teacher outside of this small business of mine and sometimes have to actively work really hard to be present on social media!

What has been your biggest success as a maker?

I think the real friendships & connections I’ve been able to make throughout this journey have really been so valuable. The Manitoba maker community ROCKS! Also, you’re not just selling jewellery to someone! You’re getting to know them, working with them, and really creating something with meaning. 

When Love By Lait first started, I received an order to make a keepsake (cremation) ring for a mama who had lost her baby. I was honoured that she felt safe to share her story with me and had picked me to create a piece of jewellery that she could always wear to keep her baby close. I think that vulnerability and trusting me with her inclusions speak volumes to personal success. 

Do you have any advice that you would pass on to someone hoping to start up their own business or product line?

Keep at it. Patience, Hard work and a little bit of persistence go a long way!

Please share any upcoming events as well as the best place(s) for people to purchase your product!

I post all my markets on my Instagram page! Be sure to tune in to stay up-to-date with all the latest information! 

Upcoming Markets: Winnipeg Belly to Baby Expo – Saturday, November 5th, 2022 10am – 3pm at Greendell Park Community Centre (75 Woodlawn Ave)