Creation Process
Upon Arrival
Once your ashes arrive at Memory Glass, they are stored in order of arrival using a secure numbering and barcode system that insures the safe tracking of your loved one's cremated remains -- or grave site earth.
The creation of your Memory Glass piece(s) takes about 2-4 weeks to complete from the time the ashes arrive at our studio. Return shipping is FREE to you. (PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for shipping costs TO Memory Glass).
Orders are made in small groups to efficiently make use of electricity. And each order is created separately from other orders to guarantee ashes are never mixed.
How We Make A Memory
Ashes are placed on a thick metal "marving" table in a specific pattern, depending on the design you select. A steel rod "punty" is inserted into a bowl of molten glass which sticks to the tip of the punty.
The small ball of molten glass is rolled across the ashes and colored glass that adhere to the ball of glass. The colored glass and ashes are twisted onto your chosed design. Then the piece is dipped again in the bowl of molten glass to permanently encase the ashes.
The piece is molded into its final shape, and placed into a kiln for 12 hours to slowly lower its temperature.
To keep track of orders throughout the day, the oven used to store the pieces contains a numbered grid.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH MEMORIES BEING MADE
Cooling, Polishing, Etching & Shipping
When a piece is put in the kiln, the location is recorded on the invoice. 20 hours later, the order is removed and returned to its secure location with the ziplock bag of unused ashes.
Orbs and hearts take two days to completely cool to room temperature. At this point, the bottom of the piece is polished to create a flat mirror-smooth surface.
The order number is laser-etched onto the bottom of the piece for future reference. Custom etchings can be done, but space is limited to Initials, Dates, or "short names."
Orders are carefully packaged, and sent via USPS Express Mail, typically arriving within 1-3 days of shipping.