A comforting creative project to hold your memories and lift your heart, when you’re missing someone you love.
Grief is love with nowhere to go.
A hope box gives you a place for your love to live on.
Celebrate your loved one’s life, transforming sadness into joy.
Feel soothed and relaxed by a simple creative project.
Preserve your memories, mementos, and keepsakes.
When someone we love dies, whether it is a family member, friend or beloved pet, the ache doesn’t fade.
It shifts, softens, or sometimes grows sharper over time. We are left holding their memories, trying not to forget their voice, their laugh, their presence.
I created the Hope Box because I know this ache deeply.
After losing my son and my husband, I didn’t think I could keep going. Creating art gave me a way to hold my grief, and my love, with my hands. I found a little more light each time I made something for them.
Now, I want to offer you the same healing space.
Think of it as a heartfelt tribute
to the love you shared.
Healing occurs when we can remember them with love, not just pain.
You’ll decorate your hope box and fill it with meaningful items to you such as:
• Cherished photographs
• Clothing and jewellery
• Funny trinkets
• Love notes and poetry
• Affirmations and artwork
• Ticket stubs and CDs
• Pressed flowers
• Brochures from places you visited together
• Sympathy cards
• Their funeral service program
Instead of hiding their memories in a drab box in the back of the closet or garage, give them a beautiful space to call home.
Get started today for only $147.
“I left the workshop feeling happier than I had in a long time!
I felt the sadness release as it transformed into the joy of the art I was creating. I was smiling and feeling happier than I had in a long time. I highly recommend the Create a Hope Box program to anyone experiencing new or long-held grief.”
Jean D.
Close your eyes. Breathe deeply and Relax. You don’t have to Rush.
This is a self-paced journey, designed with love and spaciousness to allow you to look into your heart.
You’ll be gently and expertly guided through the process over the course of a series of inspiring videos.
No fancy materials or art experience necessary!
Join me in this inspiration online class from the privacy of your own home and preserve the memories of your loved one!
How you’ll Create your Hope Box
5 Hours of Video Lesson • Self-Paced Online Art Class • Instant, Lifetime Access
LESSON 1
Gathering Supplies & Warming Up
First, we’ll start with what supplies to use for your Hope Box.
For the box itself, you could use a shoebox, photobox, or any kind of plain, undecorated box from Amazon, Michaels, HomeGoods, or a thrift store. You may want to incorporate either your or your loved one’s favorite colors to make it extra meaningful!
You’ll need basic supplies like glue, paper, paint, paint brushes, pens, and scissors. I’ll also be encouraging you to go around your house on a scavenger hunt for materials you can incorporate. You’ll be surprised at what you might find!
You’ll also enjoy going through all your old photos of your loved one to pick your favorites to include.
In this lesson, I’ll also be covering why it’s so important to take the time and space to create and some easy self-regulation practices to help calm your nervous system, for if your grief arises as you work on your hope box.
LESSON 2
Photo Cards
A photo card is a small, handcrafted card that features a meaningful photo, like one of your loved one, decorated with color, texture, and personal touches.
In this course, you’ll create photo cards using simple watercolor techniques. Then you’ll be guided through how to lay your photos onto the cards and decide which backgrounds to pair with your photos.
Lastly, I will work with you to attach your photos to the handmade watercolor photo cards using photo corners and washi tape.
LESSON 3
Affirmation Cards
Affirmations are a powerful way to claim a higher vision for our lives and move with more ease through the process of grieving.
We’ll be making affirmation cards using watercolor paper, watercolor paint, mod podge, ink sprays, and stamps.
We will also make two pouches to store your affirmation and poetry cards utilizing a brown paper bag, latex house paint, and mod podge. You can also make the pouches using scrapbooking paper.
I will supply affirmations for you, and you are, of course, welcome to use any affirmations that you enjoy and feel uplifting to you.
LESSON 4
Poetry Cards
Creative writing exercises, such as journaling and writing poetry, provide you with a way to process your grief and witness yourself transforming as your grief transforms.
I will provide you with journal prompts and pieces of contemporary poetry to support you in writing about your grief, your love for your person who has died, and the brave and bold life you are building now.
I will also provide you with examples of poetry excerpts and phrases form my journal writings to inspire you to create beautiful writing in praise of your beloved and yourself as you move forward with courage and hope.
LESSON 5
Decorating Your Box
We will paint our boxes with acrylic house paint and cover them with images using photocopies of photos and mod podge (crafting glue).
Making a box is optional. You may select any box that you have or find that you feel honors the person who has died and brings you joy.
It is important is to consider what might remind you of your person and feel like a way to praise the love and connection that you share with them.
This connection may determine the theme you have for your Hope Box and involve their favorite color, pass time, hobby, vacation spot, or your favorite memories with them. The key is for you to create something that reminds you of them and brings you joy as well.
LESSON 6
Bringing It All Together!
Finally, you place all of the items that you have made in the course in Your Hope Box: the photo cards, the affirmations cards, and the poetry cards.
You will also want to gather objects that remind you of them that you will store in your Hope Box. The idea is to have your Hope Box feel like a refuge of joy, praise in honor of your loved one, and a deep and lasting connection to them.
I will talk with you about ways to continue working with your Hope Box and also about transformational practices that will support you to continue to work with your grief in a powerful way.
You’ll have lifetime access to the course to revisit it whenever you would like.
When you’re grieving, even a small moment of relief or gentle distraction can offer a much-needed break from the weight of your emotions.
It has been scientifically proven that creating with your hands for just 20 minutes can calm your nervous system and help you relax. That’s why I love this Hope Box program so much. It’s a simple, accessible project that even the person “without a creative bone in their body” can have fun with.
Not artistic or no experience with art? Perfect! We are not here to judge or critique anyone’s art or make fine art masterpieces.
There is such a joyful feeling in creating something from nothing. When your whole life has flipped upside down, the act of creation is so stablizing. It makes you feel like you have some control over your life. It can give you something light to look forward to after a difficult day.
Even deeper than that, it is a gentle, non-confrontational way to express what you may not be able to put into words. Without even realizing it, you’ll feel your grief gently dislodge and more lightness and happiness float in.
“Jen was there to support me so I could emerge and become a whole person again.
She is good at leading people through the process of healing. She is caring, compassionate, insightful and empathetic. I am so grateful I had the chance to have her expertise to guide me.”
Carol V.
Hi I’m Jen Ripa
For a while, I asked myself this question every day:
“How do I love a life I don’t want?”
I lost my son in 2016 to cancer. He was 16 years old. Four years later, I suddenly lost my husband of 25 years, at the beginning of the pandemic. I thought my life was over both times. I did not think I could go on.
Fast forward to today, I no longer ask myself that question every day.
I don’t need to because I love my life.
Would I trade all the knowledge, wisdom, strength, and experience I have gained to have the family I used to have again? Yes, I would. I might make the trade to experience it for five minutes. It’s a good thing that I don’t have that choice. This is how grief is, though.
I have grown my heart big enough to hold all of this simultaneously. I miss my son and late husband who I lost. I miss my old family. I miss my old life. But I also like the person I have become because of these losses.
I have so much more love and appreciation for myself, for others, and for life. I live more boldly and bravely. I am grateful for the life I have because it’s still a full and vibrant life.
I know a braver and more alive version of you and your life awaits you too. If you know somewhere in your bones that you can feel better than this and you’re willing to just inch in that direction, Create a Hope Box™ can support you.
My loved one’s anniversary or birthday is coming up. Would this be a good way to honor them?
Yes! Absolutely!
Creating a Hope Box can be a deeply meaningful way to mark the anniversary of your loved one’s passing. These dates often bring a mix of emotions such as grief, longing, love, and reflection, and making something with your hands allows you to move through those feelings with intention and care.
Instead of the day feeling heavy or overwhelming, this creative process offers a sense of purpose and connection. You’re not just remembering their loss—you’re celebrating their life.
You’re giving your love somewhere to go.
Many people find that making something tangible helps them feel closer to their person and provides a sense of comfort and accomplishment. Whether your loss is recent or many years past, the anniversary can become a sacred space to create, remember, and reconnect.
Your Hope Box becomes a lasting tribute you can return to each year—or anytime you want to feel close again.
Here’s what you’ll get
Create your keepsake
Be guided to make your personalized, beautiful box filled with memories and keepsakes of your loved one. Feel closer to the person you love at every step as you’re encouraged to focus on what reminds you of them.
Learn relaxing art-techniques
You’ll receive templates and step-by-step instructions as you discover how to do watercolor painting, photocards, writing and decorating affirmation and poetry cards and more! You might even spark a love affair with creativity!
Expert guidance through grief
By using your hands (& with a dash of inspired creativity) you’ll help yourself move through your feelings of grief. You’ll also get a keepsake which feels like a pocket full of sunshine you can open up to ease the pain of gloomy days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will the program take to complete?
The program is self-paced. Some people complete it in a weekend, others take weeks or months. There’s no rush—this is your personal healing journey.
What kind of supplies will I need?
You’ll need some basic art materials like watercolor paper, paints, glue, and a box to decorate. A full supply list can be found here, and you’re encouraged to use items you already have or love.
What if I don’t have many photos or keepsakes of my loved one?
That’s okay. You can honor your person with colors, words, symbols, or memories. The course offers creative writing prompts and ideas to help you find meaningful ways to represent your love.
Is this program only for recent loss?
No—this course supports all kinds of grief, whether your loss is recent or many years ago. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and healing can happen whenever you’re ready.
Will I have access to Jen if I need help or support?
While the course is self-paced and pre-recorded, you’ll have access to me through email for gentle support and guidance if needed.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. If you complete the course and create your Hope Box but feel it wasn’t helpful, just reach out within 30 days with a photo of your completed box to request a full refund.
Will there be a Facebook Group?
No, there will not be a Facebook Group, as many grieving people find Facebook activating. Instead, we will have a community wall on the platform that will work like a Facebook Group. You’ll be able to share and respond to people’s comments.
Can I do this program with a friend or in a group?
Absolutely. Many people find it comforting to create alongside someone else. Just be sure each person registers individually to respect the course access and materials.
Can I add on private coaching with Jen?
Yes! You can also choose the membership option at the bottom of this page which includes 4 x 90 minute coaching session, or 6 x 60 minute coaching sessions. Alternatively, please email Jen at jen@thrivologie.com and write “Private Grief Coaching” in the title and we can discuss alternative options.
I still have a question, can I send you an email?
Absolutely, I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about the group. Send me an email at jen@thrivologie.com with your question.
Worried it will be too painful to revisit all your memories?
It’s completely natural to feel tender when approaching your grief. Sometimes, it feels easier not to open the door to those memories—but grief doesn’t disappear when we avoid it. It stays with us, waiting for space to be seen and felt. And in the process, our sadness and the feeling of loss keeps us down and steals our joy.
This course offers a gentle, creative way to begin making that space. And you won’t be doing it alone.
From the very first lesson, you’ll be guided with simple self-regulation tools to help calm your nervous system if big feelings arise. These are practices you can use throughout the course—and carry with you into daily life.
The experience is intentionally designed to be flexible and supportive. You can pause whenever you need, skip anything that feels too tender, and return when you’re ready. There’s no rush, no pressure—just gentle invitations to honor your memories in a way that feels safe and healing.
And if this is your first step back into something new since your loss, I want you to know: that’s incredibly brave. I’m so honored to walk alongside you.
Join Today, Risk-Free
I want you to feel confident and supported as you begin this journey. That’s why I offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
If you complete the course, watch all the videos, and create your Hope Box—but still feel it didn’t support you in the way you hoped—I’ll happily refund your purchase. Just send me a photo of your finished Hope Box along with your request, and I’ll take care of the rest.
You have nothing to lose—and so much healing to gain.
Ready to create a beautiful reminder of your love for the person you lost?
Let’s honor the memories of your loved one and generate hope for the future.
You’ll get instant access to complete the course straight away if you’re feeling inspired or lifetime access to come back to it whenever you’re ready to make a home for your precious memories. Sending so much love for you taking this first step.
Jen
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