Hidden Gems: Meet Rhoda Miller of Liquid Goldsmith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhoda Miller.

Hi Rhoda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Rhoda Darius Miller – I’m a wife, an architect-in-training and a mother of 3 adorable boys. I live in beautiful Arizona with my growing family and two fur-babies.

I stumbled upon breast milk jewelry when I was nursing my first and loved the idea of having a keepsake. The idea of being able to capture and remember this special time in my life sounded like a fantastic idea, but I never ended up buying a piece of my own. I saved milk from my first two boys in hopes of designing a special piece of breast milk jewelry once we were done having kids. Now that our third (and final!) baby boy has arrived, my goal is to create a keepsake to represent all of my kids and my breastfeeding journey for years to come.

I struggled with breastfeeding both my boys, in very different ways, from low supply to being just barely enough. I worked with many lactation consultants, support groups, supplements, medications, endless hours of googling & researching — you know the drill — all so I could breastfeed my babies. But after all is said and done, I feel accomplished for being able to provide whatever I could for my babies. I’m going through it all again with our newest little one who arrived in December 2020.

All my struggles with breastfeeding gave me a desire to help create a keepsake for other moms who have both struggled and triumphed during this special nursing time in our lives. I would hear their stories while going to support group every week. What better way to celebrate than to have your own personal keepsake created uniquely for you!

And so, Liquid Goldsmith began, and I’ve fallen in love with all the beautiful pieces that I’ve been able to help other moms create to remember their amazing breastfeeding journeys. From the milk stone to the jewelry setting, everything is carefully handcrafted here locally in Arizona.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many challenges along the way, all mainly related to the pandemic. I started my business during the height of the pandemic (who would have thought we’d live to see something like this?!); although I had begun researching breast milk jewelry & preservation for a few years. Our oldest son is high risk, so that has forced my husband and I to transition to working from home, keeping our family in isolation. It’s been a struggle, first while pregnant with toddlers, to now having three little boys to look after, all while working from home part-time as an architectural project manager, and launching my business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
A mother’s milk is known as liquid gold; a goldsmith is someone who creates gold jewelry – with that Liquid Goldsmith was born.

Breast milk jewelry is a tangible and personal way to capture your breastfeeding journey. I use a small amount of breast milk, preserve it, cast it into a stone, and create a unique piece of jewelry that can be treasured forever. All of my keepsake pieces are created using your own milk. But breastfeeding isn’t the only journey to remember – which is why I am able to accommodate breast milk, infant formula (powder or liquid), a lock of hair, and dried flowers. Soon, I will be expanding my offerings to create keepsakes for those who have lost a loved one.

Being an AZ business, it was very important for me to source my jewelry settings locally. A majority of the jewelry pieces I offer are handmade by a very talented local artisan. I personally preserve each milk sample, design the milk stone, and set it into the jewelry.

I try to connect with my clients on a personal level, learning about their breastfeeding & motherhood journeys. I like to think, that by handcrafting their keepsake, I’ve now become part of that journey, and that is very special to me.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in a Disney loving household… we would visit Disneyland practically every year, and still do today! I have so many fond memories of going on rides, meeting characters, and watching all the shows & parades. Disneyland holds such a special place in my heart, that even my wedding proposal took place in front of the castle!

Contact Info:

• Email: liquidgoldsmith@gmail.com
• Website: www.liquidgoldsmith.com
• Instagram: @liquid_goldsmith
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liquidgoldsmith
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@liquid_goldsmith