By Linda Sparkman

CORRESPONDENT

It's not just love and urgency that prompted 32-year-old Carrie Stanley to begin her business endeavor, Pixie Printz. Anger played a big role.

When she found out how much it cost to purchase fingerprint jewelry, “it made me mad,” said the determined entrepreneur.

Looking for a fingerprint charm to capture what she calls, “God's signature” on her 4-year-old daughter Leiryn, who has cancer and is currently on hospice, Stanley faced charges between $500 and $700.

“That's not something families in our situation can usually afford,” said the Garden City mother of four.

Fortunately, she found an out-of-state crafter who offered the precious mementos at a more reasonable price. So, Mom, Dad and their four little ones made a mini-vacation out of the event, and came back with treasured memories in the form of several charms imprinted with their only daughter's fingerprint, and something else Stanley finds priceless. They made a treasure-chest-full of family-time memories.

Because of this wonderful experience, Stanley stresses the importance of being physically with family members when they imprint the charms.

“You're creating a keepsake but a memory at the same time,” says Stanley, who recounts one recent mother-son pair whose experience was unforgettable.

“The little boy's mom was literally wrestling him to get this fingerprint,” said Stanley. “It took both of her hands, and mine to hold his finger on it long enough to get a fingerprint. That for sure is a memory. I will never forget it.”

In less than a month Stanley has solidified her idea, created a logo, made Facebook page, developed a website, took a precious metal clay class, purchased supplies, and had an open house to launch her business.

“It's been a whirlwind,” she said.

INDIVIDUALLY SHAPED

The charms are made of precious metal clay (PMC) that is individually shaped, imprinted, sanded, fired, coated with a chemical to highlight the imprint, and then polished. The entire process takes over an hour of hands-on work, and overnight to allow for firing and cooling. Elements allowing the silver to be pliable are burned away during the firing process, leaving a pure silver charm.

The exuberant Pixie Printz owner and founder is now on a mission. She doesn't want any family facing the loss of a loved one to be unable to obtain this one-of-a-kind keepsake because of the cost.

”To have that unique portion of a family member captured in precious metal to me, is priceless,” said Stanley. And literally, priceless is what she's determined to make it.

In addition to, and in conjunction with Pixie Printz, Stanley has formed Imprints of the Heart, a separate business intended to be nonprofit, that offers to make up to two fingerprinted charms for families with a terminally ill loved one, free of charge.

“I wanted to take what I had learned through this experience and make a difference by helping others in a tangible way,” said Stanley.

To fund Imprints of the Heart Stanley dedicates 10 percent of Pixie Printz profits and accepts donations.

Mott's Children's Hospital and Arbor Hospice are two of Stanley's connections, helping to spread the word about what she is offering to families facing the loss of a loved one. Other ways Stanley promotes both Pixie Printz and Imprints of the Heart is on Facebook, by word-of-mouth, craft fairs, cancer events, farmer's markets and children's play-dates.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY

“I'm really hoping parents use this opportunity,” said Stanley, who brings all necessary supplies to small, informal get-togethers, making a nice memory, while creating lasting keepsakes. “It's a perfect opportunity.”

If all goes well, Stanley hopes to be able offer personal charms to people through the mail, and perhaps one day have a store front where customers could design their own charms.

Thanks to a donation, Stanley also has purchased supplies that give her the ability to use a handwritten, drawn, or ink print of a hand, foot, or paw to make a charm.

“I have a few moms who lost babies and I am using the ink prints from the hospital to make some charms for them,” said Stanley.

The Pixie Printz Facebook page lists where Stanley will be and times she'll be there. Products and prices are available on her website, www.pixieprintz.com, where Stanley welcomes questions and comments. Items available include charms for jewelry, rings and keychains. Prices begin at about $35 dollars and are based on the amount of silver in the piece.

Stanley's husband, Charley, who grew up in Garden City and now teaches at Wayne Memorial High School, supports his wife's efforts. As far as the business goes, right now, “he helps by being a sounding board,” said Stanley.

“Eventually I might have to put him to work sanding and polishing,” she said. “We're trying to make this a full-time job for the summer, so Charlie doesn't have to look for another full-time job between the school years. If we can work this full time, then he won't have to be away from the family so much this summer. Time is precious at this point.”