About

I've Always Wanted to Own a Piece of Real History

Not just read about it. Not just see it behind museum glass. Own it. Touch it. Use it. Live with it. Even a replica.

That's what Frostmere is all about.

How This Started

I'm an amateur genealogist—the kind who gets sucked into rabbit holes at 2 AM tracing family trees and uncovering forgotten stories. Lets be honest—being a woman, I'm amazing at digging up the past. What started as curiosity about my own ancestors turned into a full-blown obsession with history itself. 

And somewhere along the way, I realized something: the objects we surround ourselves with can be bridges to the past.

An antique or vintage Japanese tea cup isn't just a cup—it's a connection to centuries of tea ceremony tradition. A vintage postcard isn't just paper—it's a snapshot of someone's life decades ago. A Viking-inspired piece isn't just decor—it's a nod to warriors and explorers who shaped the world.

Searching for Connection

I didn't grow up with much family. Just my parents, my brother mostly. Eventually, my grandma and two aunts moved from Missouri to be near us. No big family gatherings. No sprawling network of cousins and relatives nearby. Explaining that to my new Utah friends was different. 

When I was a teenager, I started tracing my family tree—partly out of curiosity, but mostly because I wanted to know the people I came from. I found myself missing people I didn't even know existed. Craving connection to people who shared my blood, even if they'd been gone for centuries. 

My mom felt it too. So did my aunt. It mattered to them.

They're all gone now. Most of them are. My family today is my husband and dog. My Dad lives 2500 miles away, brother lives with him. Nephew 500 miles away. In-Laws on the other side of the country as well. 

Maybe it's weird that I love this stuff. Or maybe it's inevitable. Maybe it's just human—wanting to feel connected to something bigger than yourself, to people who came before, to stories that don't end when someone dies. 

The Genealogy Rabbit Hole

When you start tracing your family tree, you never know where it'll lead. I followed my mom's mom's line back and found myself staring at names I'd only read about in history books—Rollo the Viking (Duke of Normandy), Scipio Africanus (my Great Uncle and Roman general who defeated Hannibal), kings and queens of Scotland, France and England.

My Muscogee Creek 3rd great-grandma was born in 1847. My great-grandma knew her. I knew my great-grandma. That's only two degrees of separation between me and someone born before the Civil War. The past isn't as far away as we think.

I found a connection to Pocahontas through her first marriage, though I'm skeptical about how accurate those records are. Genealogy is equal parts detective work and educated guessing. From everything I've found, it appears to be legitimate. It doesn't go that far back in the grand scheme of things and it's easier to find when I'm usually only looking at Grandparents. 

But here's the thing: I don't feel special or unique because of it. What hooked me wasn't the famous names—it was the stories. Reading about Scipio Africanus and realizing he was (most likely) a genuinely good person who cared about people. Finding a photo of my Creek ancestor from the 1800s. Discovering Captain Josiah Cowles, whose house still stands in Connecticut.

These weren't just names on a chart. They were real people who lived, loved, fought, and left pieces of themselves behind. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for these people. I'm grateful that not one of them took a wrong turn or fell off a cliff before creating the next generation that would eventually create me. 

It's about connecting to the human experience across time.

The King Tut Moment

When I was a kid, I chose Vegas over Disneyland. (Still never been to Disneyland, but I've been to Vegas a dozen times.) Why? Because the Tutankhamun exhibition was there in the late '90s.

I stood face-to-face with King Tut's sarcophagus. His death mask. The tomb contents that had been buried with him over 3,000 years ago.

It was the coolest thing ever.

I was obsessed with Ancient Egypt (still am), medieval times, Westerns, Native American history—the beautiful craftsmanship, the stories, the realness of it all.

That experience cemented something for me: I believe those priceless relics should be in museums so we can all experience them. But I also wanted to find a way to bring history home—to own pieces inspired by those eras, or authentic vintage finds that carry their own stories.

What Makes Frostmere Different

That's why Frostmere exists. Every item comes with a mini history lesson. Because the best pieces aren't just beautiful—they're meaningful. Look for my history lesson designs on each product page. Don't worry, they're short. If you want more info, check out The Archives.

I curate history-inspired treasures from every corner of the past:

• Frostmere Collection: History-inspired pieces that capture the spirit of the past.
• Moonforge: Handcrafted and/or designed by me.
• Château Noire: Authentic vintage finds with centuries of stories I've found with a bit of research.

Whether it's a reproduction that honors an ancient culture or a genuine vintage piece that lived through history, everything here has a story worth telling.

More Than Just "Shopping"

Through my blog, The Stoa, I share the stories behind the objects—the cultures that created them, the traditions they represent, and the history they carry forward. Among other things like promo codes, deals, links and more.

Because when you bring history into your home, you're not just decorating or adding a lifestyle piece. You're keeping the past alive. Lets be honest, being a woman? I'm amazing at digging up the past. 

Welcome to Frostmere. History lives here.