Restoring the Ring
An Interview with Lisa Thlick-Khatchadourian from Altadena, California
At Cosanti, our artisans take great pride in the restoration of fire-survived Cosanti Originals bells, whose surface bears evidence of the heat, smoke, debris, and direct flame exposure they have endured. While wildfires have become increasingly common in recent years, our commitment to repair and renew these precious artifacts is a tradition that has been honored since the earliest days of Cosanti. Over the years, we have received bells sent back to us from all over the world, accompanied by heart-warming and gut-wrenching stories alike.
Following the recent, and devastating Altadena wildfires, Lisa Thlick-Khatchadourian recovered three Cosanti bells from the ashes of her home. Remarkably intact despite the intense heat and destruction, she sent them back to Cosanti for restoration—a process that has come to symbolize resilience, memory, and healing. We reached out to Lisa to ask her to share her experience, and what these bells mean to her.
Q: When did you get your bells, and how long have you had them?
We have three separate bells. The first one, the bird, was given to me by my friend who is like family. She lives in Phoenix now. I hung that one from our English rose trellis over the backyard fence door—that’s the entrance friends and family walked through to reach our backyard space. The second bell was a gift from my husband. I believe he found it at an estate sale. It has a magnificent ring. The third and largest bell is one my husband and I chose together on our last trip to Phoenix, when we visited our son in 2023. It took us about an hour to find the perfect one.
Q: Do the bells hold any particular memories or associations for you?
Each bell has a story, and together they helped make our house a home. The sound of the ringers in the wind was calming and peaceful—something we lived with every day.
Q: Can you describe the moment you first saw them?
Each one came into our lives differently. The bird bell came from my dear friend and carries that connection. The second bell was a thoughtful gift from my husband. And the third we picked out together—deliberately and with care. That experience of choosing was meaningful in itself.
Q: Did finding them in the rubble make you feel a certain way?
When we were finally allowed to return to our home, we wore full hazmat gear. The roof had collapsed over everything. We searched different areas of the ash piles. My husband found the first bell—and then the other two. We were amazed they had survived. They were completely blackened, and we weren’t sure if they were structurally sound or would ever ring again. Honestly, I was afraid to try—I thought they might turn to dust. We also found our two 1930s cast iron banks, and they disintegrated in my hands. I didn’t expect to find anything. Our house burned for 72 hours—it was a very hot burn. If cast iron turned to ash, we thought everything else would too.
Q: Did seeing your restored bells bring up any special meaning, like representing hope or new beginnings?
We haven’t seen them yet. I want to go with my husband to Arizona so that seeing them restored can be part of his healing too. It means more than I can say. This is about more than the bells—it’s about recovering something solid from all the loss.
Q: Are there any organizations you recommend where others can donate to help those affected by the fires?
Yes.
World Central Kitchen was amazing. They provided warm meals when we didn’t even realize how much we needed them—those meals helped us feel human again.
The American Red Cross, especially local chapters, showed up when others were still figuring out how to respond. Fires are not just a California issue.
The Altadena Library Foundation is doing critical work for local youth. Of the 14,000 students in our community, 10,000 have been impacted—many displaced, many without their schools or structure. The foundation is helping them get back on their feet.
“This sharing helps,” Lisa said. “It’s part of the process to getting back to okay. I’m truly grateful and don’t have the words for what restoring our bells means. I can’t wait to see them—and hear them. I know I’ll cry, for all things big and small.”
We understand that in the midst of great loss, even something small, like a familiar object—can offer a quiet reminder of comfort, routine, or home. When so much has changed, the little things can carry unexpected meaning.
Customers who have experienced damage to their bell due to wildfire conditions are encouraged to contact us &/or send them directly to our Paradise Valley, AZ location for further assessment.
For inquiries or restoration submissions, please reach out to info@cosanti.com.
To learn more about the restoration process, watch a recent AZ Family's segment on how Cosanti artisans are bringing fire-damaged bells back to life:
👉 Watch the story