For Tim
This post was written by artist Sara Lynch, who also supplied the photos.
Last month, Regretsy posted an Alchemy Request on Etsy for a memorial urn. It was for a man named Timothy Corcoran, who had recently lost a battle with cancer. His family was barely able cover the cost of cremation, and his wife was keeping his ashes in a cardboard box.
At the time I was visiting friends in NYC, and had been out all night. Luckily, a friend posted a link to the request on my Facebook. The request said that Tim loved, ‘Regretsy, Irish things, and whiskey.’ Well, I’m Irish and I love those things too. So at 2:30 AM on the floor of my friend’s apartment, I carefully thumbed a bid via my phone. I anxiously waited to hear back.
There were many offers, but when Tim’s family heard that I had been featured in the Regretsy book, they immediately chose me. I was thrilled, but I was also terrified. What if I made something horrible? What if they didn’t like it? What if I made it and it broke into a million pieces?
Tim’s widow sent me a heartbreaking email telling me about Tim’s last moments, which helped me to focus. She requested some World of Warcraft as well as Regretsy imagery included in the design, because these things were important to him.
We decided on a turtle for the overall form. I wanted to use polymer clay to be truly in the spirit of Regretsy, but after three unsuccessful attempts, I gave up. Regular ceramics would have been the simplest solution, but I don’t have a kiln or access to one where I live most of the time.
I was afraid I’d have to take back my offer to make the urn. Then I discovered air-dry clay and was blown away. It’s so simple and awesome to work with that I busted out the turtle body with Regretsy cat and WOW dragon toppers in a week.
After I painted it, I decided to coat the whole thing in epoxy resin. This resulted in epoxy resin EVERYWHERE. When I held the turtle upside down to thoroughly coat the inside I ended up with resin soaking a good portion of my pants and the floor. I seriously debated driving home pantless till I found a pair of shorts I could wear. I showered with Gojo orange scrub for three days straight.
After going WAY over my materials budget and drinking half a bottle of Jim Beam, I finally managed to finish the turtle. We spent a long day together doing all sorts of fun things.
Then I packed him up to be shipped. Although I’ll miss him, I know he has a very important journey and job ahead of him.
- Sara Lynch
September 17, 2010 at 9:41 am
There are no words adequate to describe this except love, love & more love.
September 17, 2010 at 9:44 am
Pure awesomeness. I wish all the haters could see this post, to get a glimpse of the good work that Regretsy has always done, and continues to do.
September 17, 2010 at 9:47 am
That’s just the most awesome thing. I especially love the croquet pic.
September 17, 2010 at 9:48 am
well done
September 17, 2010 at 9:48 am
that is the most beautiful, heartfelt piece of fuckery I have ever seen. Did the turtle win at bocce?
They always do. – HK
September 17, 2010 at 9:49 am
possibly my favorite post EVER <3
September 17, 2010 at 9:50 am
This is a beautiful piece, and It’s very regretsy-fied.
September 17, 2010 at 9:50 am
Everyone loves Bocci Ball! This has me teary and it’s a wonderful tribute to a fellow Regretsy fan whose time was cut short. I hope this fabulous urn brings a measure of joy and peace to his family.
September 17, 2010 at 9:52 am
Truly glorious
September 17, 2010 at 9:55 am
how sweet. really. what a wonderful thing done! I hope I’m given the opportunity to help out in this way some day. and a truly amazing piece to boot!
September 17, 2010 at 9:57 am
Ceramic Turtle with Dragon + Old Beagle + sad tale of man dying too young – sadness + heart in the right place = Happy Friday. Nice work.
September 17, 2010 at 9:57 am
What a nice story this beautiful urn now has.
For Sara (an Irish Blessing):
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
I love all the photos of this urn’s journey. I also love that you work under the influence of Jim Beam.
September 17, 2010 at 10:00 am
lord knows i want to say something caustic or let loose with a barrage of bad punmanship, but this has actually managed to touch my shriveled, blackened husk of a heart.
i almost want to go rescue a kitten, or at least stop using my powers for evil now.
…i better go lie down until the feeling passes
September 17, 2010 at 10:05 am
Assholes. You made me cry.
I’m seriously touched. And for once, not in a naughty place.
September 17, 2010 at 10:08 am
Beautiful work, and I love the making of story. It’s so sweet you spent some quality time with the turtle before sending him off to the family. It is clear it was made with love.
September 17, 2010 at 10:10 am
(…And whomever just went through and thumbs downed a lot of the comments needs to be punched in the face with herpes.)
September 17, 2010 at 10:11 am
I fucking love Regretsy.
And now I have something in my eye.
But its not a sparkle tear! ITS NOT!!
September 17, 2010 at 10:12 am
Absolutely wonderful!
And any craft item that makes a kitty laugh is a very fine craft item indeed.
September 17, 2010 at 10:13 am
Regretsy. Come for the fuckery, stay for the FUCKING AWESOME.
September 17, 2010 at 10:16 am
Amazing. Sometimes we look at people, and we see what we WANT to see, sometimes we see what THEY want us to see, and then there are times when we look and see who people truly ARE. You usually get what you pay for, but every now and then you get something you can’t put a pricetag on.
September 17, 2010 at 10:20 am
I have never been prouder to be part of Regretsy.
September 17, 2010 at 10:23 am
That is so incredible! I’m actually inspired to make my own urn now. My family’s lazy, and if I don’t they’ll just pour me into a coffee can.
September 17, 2010 at 10:28 am
Adding to the love so Tim’s family will know that many are keeping his memory alive.
Gravity bless Regretsy.
September 17, 2010 at 10:30 am
I love the picture with the cat. LOL
I like this “helping people” idea.
September 17, 2010 at 10:31 am
Logged in just to say “how wonderful!”
September 17, 2010 at 10:31 am
Awwwww… That made my week!!
September 17, 2010 at 10:34 am
May the flight of angels sing thee to thy rest. Glitter covered, rainbow-winged, meade-crying, gigantic doe-eyed angels.
September 17, 2010 at 10:35 am
Regretsy and Sara you both have such heart and class. I love the photos and the story of the journey to make the turtle urn as well. So sorry for Tim and his family but so proud to know you all.
September 17, 2010 at 10:35 am
@#21 Grot – the Ghost of Reginald I Perrin – thumbed you up just for your screen name. I didn’t get where I am today by ignoring fine screen names!
September 17, 2010 at 10:36 am
I totally love the cat laughing. He gets the joke, and it’s awesome.
September 17, 2010 at 10:38 am
First time I’ve read Regretsy and my tears have not been of the weeping-for-humanity type.
Rest in snarky peace, Tim!
September 17, 2010 at 10:41 am
WOW…..just wow
September 17, 2010 at 10:42 am
@#29 methuselah – Posted 11 minutes late, dust in eyes @ Regretsy server.
September 17, 2010 at 10:43 am
Simply said.
Bravo.
September 17, 2010 at 10:49 am
*stands and starts a slow clap*
September 17, 2010 at 10:55 am
Can’t add much but my own “dammit don’t make me cry at work”
Kudos.
September 17, 2010 at 10:55 am
Sara Lynch + Jim Beam + air-dry clay = epic FTW.
fuckin’ sparkle tears.
September 17, 2010 at 10:56 am
Aww, fuck YOU Regretsy for making me all teary eyed. God damn, heart touching fuckery all up in this bitch.
September 17, 2010 at 11:00 am
I’ll admit it, I got the warm fuzzies reading this and maybe even teared-up a little. I also thoroughly enjoyed the photo with the cat looking like the turtle just said something hilarious and he is pissing his kitten pants laughing. Thank you for a much needed boost in my faith in humanity.
September 17, 2010 at 11:01 am
Dear Sara and Regretsy,
You people are wonderful. Tim was one of my oldest friends and he fought this thing like a champ. Clare, his wife, was as loyal and supportive as any of his friends could have hoped for him. The dear Ms. Sara and the good folks at Regretsy have my eternal and sincerest thanks. God Bless you !
September 17, 2010 at 11:04 am
Just when I thought I couldn’t cry anymore this week this gets posted.
HK and Sarah you are both wonderful people. Thank you. Whenever I feel my heart is five sizes too small I’ll remember this and the good things that Regretsy does.
@emlemony-please. You know the turtle won the game.
September 17, 2010 at 11:14 am
That is wonderful!
September 17, 2010 at 11:27 am
Wow. This *is* the best post ever. May Tim rest in peace in this wonderful turtle. My heart goes out to his family and also to HK and Sarah for the great work they do.
September 17, 2010 at 11:33 am
Sara, the beautiful urn you created and your documentation are wonderfully awesome and touching.
Tim, Rest in Peace, my fellow Regretsian.
And I swear I’m not geting all misty from reading this amazingly beautiful and touching post, my eyes are just watering from the Fuego flavored Takis I was eating for lunch. Honest.
September 17, 2010 at 11:33 am
Um…I DON’T like people as a whole, as a rule. Every once in awhile, someone will do something so amazing that I get all happy about humanity. That. Just. Happened. Thanks Regresty, thanks to the artist, and thanks to Tim for being so awesome it carried over posthumously.
September 17, 2010 at 11:37 am
This is so awesome and touching, it brought tears to my eyes. I have never commented before, and this post made me register just so I could give huge props to regretsy and Sara for the beautiful urn. My loving thoughts are with this family.
September 17, 2010 at 11:41 am
Ah CRAP! I came here for snark and my throat is seizing up on me. I love this story. The laughing cat photo is something that should be displayed next to the urn. I won’t tell grieving people how to display their loved ones, but if I had a photo of a cat laughing next to MY urn, I think that would be a great tribute to the whimsicle fuckery that is life.
September 17, 2010 at 11:44 am
wow this is so wonderful- What an amazingly sweet story!!!
September 17, 2010 at 11:46 am
I don’t know what to add that hasn’t already been said but I just feel the need to say how terribly (bitter)sweet this is. It’s nice to know Tim is resting in a place made with such care, love, and fun. I loved the pictures, especially the one with the cat.
Thank you Sara for doing this and to HK for posting the request.
September 17, 2010 at 11:50 am
This is wonderful!
I share everyone’s sentiments.
September 17, 2010 at 11:55 am
@ #40-kurtigo73 – it’s not often that we regretsians take off our collective cranky pants and bask in the warmth and care that went into this creation. we should be thanking you and clare and tim’s family and dear sara for letting us shake off (if only briefly) our cynical exterior and have a peek at our soft, gooey, pillsbury dough-boy insides.
damn. i knew i shoulda worn waterproof mascara.
September 17, 2010 at 12:09 pm
@2 VikingKvinna: From now on, if someone starts harping on Regretsy we should all link to this post (or whip out a printed version).
Conversation over.
September 17, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Awesome! This is just an awesome amazing piece of fuckery that is inspiring.
(on a side note, is that a picture from the kama sutra in the corner of the 2nd photo?)
Kudos to Sara and Regretsy!
September 17, 2010 at 12:28 pm
I submitted this request for my sister, expecting a cast off ceramic piece from an etsy seller willing to donate one of their fails. Never in my life did I expect this sheer fucking awesome-sauce of an epic win. Thank you to HK and Sara for giving Tim a home! My snark maker is broken.
September 17, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Sara, you totally ROCK. Tim’s family will have a conversation piece for years to come – and this will handed down from one generation to the next, I wager. I’m tempted to pre-order my own urn; preferably in the form of a laughing cat. (You can pose it next to a turtle before shipping.)
September 17, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I <3 this story. Even though I am crying alone with my turtle. Regretsy has a huge, black, bedazzled heart!
September 17, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Black Ice, I entirely agree. Just because regretsy has a realistic view of so-called ‘art’ doesn’t mean it isn’t ultimately all about caring. And mocking fuckery. But there’s a balance…
There isn’t much that can be said about this that isn’t already said. This is great.
September 17, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Everytime I begin to doubt humanity, something as beautiful and wonderful as this shows me there is still hope. Bless you all and my heart and thoughts and prayers are with Tim’s family. Now, pass the Kleenex.
September 17, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Story of a lost-too-soon Regretsian, an act of kindness, a journey with adorable animals, and a half a bottle of Jim Beam.
Some of my long lost faith in humanity has been restored today.
September 17, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Yeah!!! Regretsy DOES serve a purpose!!!
September 17, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I believe this is first time Regretsy has ever made me cry.
September 17, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Fuck, my mascara.
September 17, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I adore Sara- I am lucky to be linked to this classy broad via facebook- she is one of my Regretsy peeps, and a wonderful artist.
I was also fortunate enough a few days ago, to stumble upon part of this photo essay. It just touched my heart on so many levels.
Good job and beautiful story…
RIP, Tim! All Regretsy fans go straight to heaven (no matter what the forum hags say)
September 17, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Just beautiful. The pics of him with the cat made me choke up a bit!
September 17, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I’m in awe. Sparkle tears all round. I have nothing to add except my own enthusiasm for everything about this wondrous event. And that this item should be known as a ‘turntle’.
September 17, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Nice to see even this community can get teary-eyed about something from time to time.
(that’s teary-eyed from something *good*, mind)
September 17, 2010 at 3:31 pm
this is wonder full beyond words
NOW DON’T THE REST OF YOU LEAVE ANYTIME SOON
September 17, 2010 at 3:33 pm
After laughing until I’ve cried so many, MANY times on Regretsy, I’ve never had eagle-sized sparkle tears of sadness, love and compassion until now.
What an awesome tribute to Tim, gift to Tim’s family, and representation of what’s always right below the surface of the magnificent snarkery. Sara and April and all who’ve donated their fuckery or donations, you RULE.
I may not post a lot, but damnit, I freaking love Regretsy, April and all of you jaded, cynical, whimsicle fuckers.
September 17, 2010 at 3:55 pm
*looks for tissues*
September 17, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Shit, add me to the list of crybabies.
September 17, 2010 at 4:35 pm
To all involved in this: I love you so much it wreaks my sheart. Crying a bit and proud of you regretsy persons.
September 17, 2010 at 4:37 pm
#53 Ripped and torn: I believe it’s Mittens!
Sara – these photos are a great way to tell a wonderful story!
September 17, 2010 at 4:43 pm
That is such a wonderful story. And a perfect turtle of Regretsy.
September 17, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Kate V, your comment made me lol. Which is awesome, because I needed it after getting all misty eyed (okay, maybe more Niagara-y eyed) by Tim, Sara, and Mr. Turntle.
September 17, 2010 at 5:16 pm
i joined after lurking for a long time, just to comment and say how much i love you all… I could only hope for a wonderful resting place as Tim’s turtle!
September 17, 2010 at 5:28 pm
That turtle is beyond awesome. The Regretsy cat, the WOW dragon, the Say What…. Sara outdid herself.
Let me add an Irish blessing of my own, for Tim and his wife:
May the road rise to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may you walk between the raindrops:
and when you die, may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.
September 17, 2010 at 5:34 pm
This made me laugh and cry at the same time. I had to read it all to DH and he loved the picture of the turtle with the dog.
September 17, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I just had to read through this again to get a good feeling….sometimes non Regretsians , aka ‘normal people’, seem so meh by comparison.
September 17, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Gosh, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one crying while reading that. I love that the cat looks like it’s laughing!
September 17, 2010 at 7:42 pm
By golly I’d want this if I didn’t already have a Viking funeral planned for myself.
September 17, 2010 at 7:58 pm
This is really beautiful. You people are freaking fantastic.
September 17, 2010 at 8:06 pm
That is god damn awesomeness itself.
And pardon my eyes watering. I was just chopping onions. And, um, it’s allergies. Or something.
September 17, 2010 at 8:51 pm
sweet, wonderful, craptastic, heartwarming fuckery! Thanks for a huge smile (and perhaps a little tear) on my Friday night.
September 17, 2010 at 9:12 pm
I got a little wibbly when I noticed Tim’s name on the inside of the turtle… rest in peace, dude.
September 17, 2010 at 10:09 pm
whoda thunk there’d be such incredible, amazing, beautiful souls lurking on a snark website?
sara, you are so lovely. a big whimsicle thanks to you for being so fucking fabulous, and big whimsicle thanks to hk for creating such a melting pot of dick-baggery and kindness. namaste! (bitches)
September 17, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Made me want to cry and say something profound and maudlin.
September 17, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Face it, kids; we’ve all got black little marshmallow hearts. We just keep them well hidden for occasions like this, because we know both the evil (and the good) that man (and woman) can do.
That said, I am definitely comissioning a cat urn for my ashes. I’ve always planned on being cremated, and the idea of spending the remaining of eternity inside a laughing cat appeals to me.
September 18, 2010 at 6:03 am
loved it!
September 18, 2010 at 10:19 am
Wow…I love it! Beautiful stuff. This cynical old hag teared up reading this. Thanks Sara for making this, but even more for celebrating it in photos.
September 18, 2010 at 11:39 am
I didn’t even know my tear ducts still worked. Thanks for reassuring me they do. Such a kind deed…
September 18, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Goddamn that is one awesome urn. And I too seem to have something in my eye. Must be catching…
September 18, 2010 at 2:16 pm
ahh this is really heartbreaking but awesome at the same time! Thanks Everyone!
September 18, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Beautiful!
September 18, 2010 at 7:40 pm
A wee bit of Saturday Night Fuckery, and a toast to our dear departed friend:
September 18, 2010 at 8:26 pm
omg I love that picture with the cat.
I just wanted to say that I’m proud of all the good things regretsy has done and that all our snark is going to a good cause.
Eat that, haters!
September 19, 2010 at 11:23 am
I love Sara, that is all.
What an awesome chick!
September 20, 2010 at 4:58 am
Sara, the turtle is beyond awesome. Brava! You can see all the love you put into the work. I’m sure Tim is lovin’ it that his ashes have been placed there.
Being irish myself, I have another line to add to the Irish prayer:
“May the wind at your back
Always be your own”
Rock on Regretsians! Nameste (bitches), one day soon we’ll rule the world!
September 20, 2010 at 9:51 am
This Regretsy post gave me tears of joy (as opposed to the ones that make me weep for humanity). Thank you for sharing this and for all the good work you do, HK.
September 20, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I would donate a lifetime supply of Jim Beam and Gojo orange scrub to Sara if I could. Gigantor awesomesauceness.
September 20, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Suzy, I will gladly take you up on your offer anytime!
<3 Sara
September 21, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I totally joined JUST so I could comment on the other super awesome chicklady that we all know now as Sara. Good job, that’s a super awesome urn for a clearly super awesome family for the memory of their super awesome Tim. And now that I’ve ruined super awesome… I shall once again fade into the nothing.
December 30, 2010 at 4:42 pm
You are an inspiration and a true humanitarian. I am proud to call you family. Well…in the “we are all one big happy regretsy family” kind of way. Awesome awesome urn and a truly compassionate act.
December 15, 2011 at 3:52 pm
I am totally talking about this in an essay I’m writing.