Page 37 - Flathead Beacon // 5.11.16

Krista Johnson,
founder of Over
The Rainbow
Memorials, shows
a piece of jewelry.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
jewelry. Past clients have had her make belt buckles, a motorcycle gas cap, poker medallions, golf ball markers, suncatch- ers, urns, and more.
Another popular item, especially with children, are touchstones, which feature the glass and some decorative leather and beading, and can be kept close, like in a pocket, to soothe the owner.
Her workshop overlooks the chicken coop in her backyard and includes a cou- ple of kilns, which melt the glass pieces at upwards of 1,800 degrees. Each piece can take anywhere from 48 hours to a week, and she has about 30 studio appointments each year. The creations start at $200. She’s also not limited to ashes. Johnson will also use pieces of fur, hair, or a mane in her glass, and has also memorialized snippets of baby blankets to help families cope with and honor miscarriages.
Each piece is “very personal to
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create,” and Johnson said she knows each one individually.
“I can look at a piece and say, ‘That’s the dog that ate pizza boxes,’” Johnson said.
While she understands that memo- rial jewelry isn’t for everyone, the peo- ple Johnson does meet stay with her, and form connections to others who come to see her.
In a place where strangers share some of their deepest pains and joys, Johnson is a buoy of calmness and peace, willing to join them on their journey.
“I wouldn’t have ever thought that this would be what I’m doing,” she said. “Nobody comes here and says, ‘Oh, I didn’t really like this person.’ [Each piece] is brought with love and it’s received with love.”
For more information on Over the Rainbow Memorials, visit www.otrme- morials.com or call 406-257-3484.
mpriddy@ atheadbeacon.com
The Conrad Mansion Museum opens its regular tour season on May 15 and it will present two specialty tours each month this summer.
On Saturday, May 14, is the rst “Nooks & Crannies Tour” of the season, which takes guests through areas of the Museum not accessible on regular tours. View secret compartments and behind closed doors.
On Saturday, May 28, the
mansion presents “Celebrating
100 Years of Fashion 1868-1968,” a curator-led tour consisting of 22 mannequins and interpretive material highlighting a century of fash- ion linked to the history of the Conrad family in Montana.
Both specialty tours are $28 per person and reservations are required. Call 406.755.2166 for additional information.
Have a gallery opening? Just published a new book or album? If you would like to be featured in the “Marquee,” email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com
Join us for
Happy Hour
$300 Pints
$500 House Wines
1/2 off Appetizers
MAY 11, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
37
SPECIALTY TOURS BEGIN THIS MONTH