How it works
Commissioning something made from a lock of hair or a portion of ashes is not an ordinary purchase. Here is exactly what happens, so there are no surprises.
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Tell us about them
Send an enquiry with their name, what kind of piece you have in mind, and anything you would like us to know. Nothing is charged, and it does not commit you to anything.
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We reply within two business days
We suggest options, confirm a price, and answer any questions. If a deposit applies we will say so clearly before any work begins.
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Post the hair or ashes
Only once we have spoken. We send written instructions and a posting address. A snippet of mane or tail hair about the thickness of a pencil is plenty; for ash-glazed work we need roughly a teaspoon.
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We confirm it arrived
We email you the moment your parcel reaches the studio, so you are never left wondering whether it got here.
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The piece is made
The form is shaped and bisque fired. For horsehair work the piece comes out of the kiln still glowing at around 1000F and the hair is laid onto the hot surface by hand, where it carbonises instantly into permanent smoke-like lines. For ash-glazed work the ashes are blended into the glaze and fired in.
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You see it before it ships
We photograph every finished piece and send it to you. If you would like to see the hair being laid on, we can film that too.
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It comes home
Packed carefully and posted with tracking. Any remaining hair or ashes are returned with it, along with a note of exactly what we used.
Questions people ask
How long does the whole process take?
Usually four to six weeks from the day your hair or ashes reach us, plus posting time. Busy periods before Christmas can run longer, and we will always tell you up front.
What if something goes wrong in the kiln?
It is rare, but firing is never completely predictable. This is why we ask for a little more hair than we strictly need. If a piece fails we tell you straight away and remake it at no extra cost.
Can the pattern be repeated?
No. The markings form as the hair burns against hot clay, so they can never be reproduced, not even by us. Every piece is genuinely one of a kind.
Is it safe to post ashes?
Yes, when packed properly. We send step-by-step instructions including double-bagging and sealing, and we recommend a tracked service. We confirm by email the moment it arrives.
Do you work with hair from a person?
Yes. We make memorial pieces for people as often as for animals, and handle every commission with the same care.