Gift of Love Ministries

Giving the gift of love

Just as God loved us so much He gave us His son Jesus Christ — Gift of Love Ministries is rooted in that same simple truth. Founded in Oskaloosa, Iowa by Raelee Hughes, ordained minister and artist.

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Our Story

"Everyday is a new beginning, another chapter in our book of life."

Gift of Love Ministries

A calling, a vision, and a simple truth

Raelee Hughes was born and raised in Pella, Iowa — mother, grandmother, musician, and artist. She has been a non-denominational Christian ordained minister for more than 20 years. She felt a calling. She had a vision. And from that, Gift of Love Ministries was born.

The name comes straight from the heart: Gift of Love Ministries is about giving the gift of love — just as God loved us so much He gave us His son Jesus Christ. Simple as that.

Raelee's mother was a beautiful artist who taught her to love and appreciate art in any form. Raelee longed to paint like her but never could — until her sister-in-law Cindy, a dear friend of over 40 years, introduced her to acrylic pour painting in the summer of 2020 during COVID. She's been painting and encouraging others ever since.

"There's no right or wrong way to do acrylic pour painting," Raelee says. "There are unlimited ways to create and be creative."

When tragedy struck on December 13, 2020, and COVID took her sister Rhonda Watkins, Raelee wanted a way to always have her close. She started thinking about keepsake ornaments. We buy them for our trees in memory of births, pets, and loved ones — but she wanted something more special. Something personal. She took a crafting ornament and her paints and created her first ornament in Rhonda's memory. That was the beginning of Ornaments of Love.

I want to do what I can to help preserve those memories.

Ornaments of Love

Handcrafted memorial ornaments, made with love

Personalized using acrylic pour painting — every piece is completely one of a kind, just like the person you're remembering. Available in plastic and clear glass. Handcrafted in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Create Your Ornament

Sample Ornaments

Every ornament I create will be done with as much love and care as the first one.

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How It Works

You tell us who they were. We craft something worthy.

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Choose Your Shape

Ball, heart, or flat ball — pick the shape that feels right for your person.

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Pick Your Colors

Up to 3 colors included in the base price. White and black are always free. Additional colors just $5 each.

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Add the Details

Names, dates, a short quote, a few words that capture who they were. Printed on the outside with care.

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A Touch of Them

Optional: include a small amount of their ashes in the paint. They become part of the art, forever.

What Makes It Different

Not a factory. Not a template. A ministry.

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Truly One of a Kind

Acrylic pour painting means the colors flow naturally. No two ornaments will ever look the same, just like no two people are.

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Handcrafted with Love

Every ornament is made by hand in Oskaloosa, Iowa. No assembly lines, no shortcuts, no compromises.

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Ashes Option

For an additional $20, a touch of your loved one's cremation ashes can be mixed into the paint. They'll always be with you.

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Choose Your Material

Choose between plastic (vibrant acrylic pour) or clear glass (elegant and translucent). Both are available now at the same price — same shapes, same customization, different feel.

Your Journey

How to Order

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Step 1

Customize

Choose your shape, colors, text, and add-ons using our online designer.

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Step 2

Ashes Kit

If you selected ashes, we mail you a small kit with instructions and a prepaid return envelope.

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Step 3

Mail Back

Send us just a teaspoon of ashes in the provided kit. That's all we need.

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Step 4

Handcrafted

We individually handcraft your ornament with prayer and care. Every pour is unique.

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Step 5

Delivered

Shipped to your door via insured USPS Priority Mail in 2-3 weeks.

Ordering without ashes? Skip steps 2 & 3 — we'll start crafting as soon as your order is placed.

The First Ornament

In memory of Rhonda

When COVID took Raelee's sister Rhonda Watkins on December 13, 2020, she wanted a way to always have her close. She started thinking about keepsake ornaments — we buy them for our trees in memory of births, pets, and loved ones, but she wanted something more special. Something personal.

She took a crafting ornament and her paints and created her first ornament in Rhonda's memory. That ornament was the beginning of everything.

Since then, Raelee has crafted each ornament by hand, one at a time, with prayer. She prays over each piece before it ships. The acrylic pour technique means no two ornaments will ever look alike — the paint flows where it flows, and the result is always something you couldn't have planned. That's exactly the point.

"Every ornament I create will be done with as much love and care as the first one."

🏠  Handmade in Oskaloosa, Iowa
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Photo of Raelee at work
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Raelee Hughes, founder · Gift of Love Ministries

Special Requests

Something beyond the standard — just ask

Have an idea that goes beyond what's listed? A unique shape, a special occasion, a custom request for someone you love? Raelee will consider each and every request, and if it's possible, she will do her best to fulfill your wishes.

Send her an email and share your vision. She'd love to hear from you.

✉️  Send a Special Request

Or use the contact form below — she reads every message.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know

After you place your order with the ashes add-on, we mail you a small kit with a container and prepaid return envelope. You place approximately one teaspoon of ashes inside, seal it, and send it back. We then carefully mix the ashes into the acrylic pour, making your loved one a permanent part of the ornament.
Approximately one teaspoon — that's all. A very small amount is mixed into the acrylic paint before the pour, so your loved one becomes part of the art itself.
2-3 weeks from when we receive your order (or your ashes kit, if applicable). Each ornament is handcrafted individually — we don't rush the process. During peak holiday season, we recommend ordering early.
Yes. Every ornament ships via insured USPS Priority Mail, carefully packaged to arrive safely at your door. We treat each package as if it were our own family's keepsake.
Absolutely. Many customers order purely decorative memorial ornaments — no ashes required. You still get a beautiful, one-of-a-kind acrylic pour ornament with custom text and colors. The ashes option is simply an add-on for those who want it.
We offer three shapes: ball, heart, and flat ball. Available in plastic or clear glass — same price for both materials. You choose up to 3 colors (included in the base price), with white and black always free. Extra colors are just $5 each. Try our customizer to see all the options and preview your ornament.
Yes — this is sacred to us. Each ornament is crafted individually with prayer and respect. We understand the trust you're placing in us, and we honor that. Your loved one's ashes are handled with the same reverence we'd give our own family.
We'll work with you to make it right. Because each ornament uses acrylic pour painting, every piece is unique and may look slightly different from previews. But if something isn't what you expected, reach out and we'll find a solution together.
Base ornament (plastic or clear glass) starts at $50, which includes custom text and up to 3 colors. Add-ons: photo printing $15, ashes integration $20, keepsake display box $25. Extra colors beyond 3 are $5 each. Build yours in the customizer to see exact pricing.
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Handmade in Oskaloosa, Iowa

Every ornament crafted by hand in America's heartland

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Each Ornament Blessed with Prayer

Crafted individually with reverence and care

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Insured Shipping

USPS Priority Mail with full insurance protection

Raelee Hughes · Gift of Love Ministries · Oskaloosa, Iowa

Create Your Ornament

Get in Touch

Questions? We'd love to hear from you.

Whether you want to ask about customization, the ashes process, a special request, or anything else — reach out anytime. Raelee reads every message and will get back to you as soon as she can.