The Process

Whether we are making gorgeous glass with your precious ashes in, a piece of solver or gold with your ashes sealed inside or a handwriting item each one is unique and is cared for at every stage of our process. We want to be transparent at all times with our customers and give them the reassurance that we will create their item with care and attention it truly deserves.

Point of order:

You can order in a number of different ways: Though this website where there is lots of choice for your perfect piece. Via Zoom video consultation, where we will talk through your ideas and help turn them into reality (don't worry about crying we are very good at understanding instructions though sobbing) Or in person, we can meet to discuss your needs at our base in Bridgend, South Wales, UK.

Once you have decided and paid for your item (we have debit and credit card facilities, Klarna and Paypal options) you will receive an "order pack" this will contain all the information about your order, a pot for your ashes - we recommend a teaspoon per item - free post envelope for its safe return to us at By Victoria. If you cant bare to open a casket, then you are welcome to send us the whole urn or casket and we can do this for you, returning it to you as soon as we have taken the small amount we need - there is an extra charge for this to cover the return postage. Once we have the ashes in our possession, we will email you to confirm their safe arrival. At this point if we are under extreme volume of work we will advise if there is any change to our usual 4 week turn around period. 

How we make the item:

Depending on what you have ordered will determine the process. For an ashes in glass item we will make the gemstone first, either in the kiln or the flame, depending on what design. Once that is made we will then create the precious metal piece to fit its unique size and shape. This is hand made and will usually take a day to complete (although we work on a number of pieces a day in different stages so your metal is typically formed over a week) The metal is then sent to the Assay Office Birmingham for hallmarking of its authentication. Once it has returned (usually 5 working days later) your glass will be professionally set using traditional techniques.  Then after a polish your item is ready to send back to you with any unused ashes. 

For hidden gemstone ash, vessels and handwriting pieces we go ahead and make the precious metal elements once the order is placed according to our studio timetable. Then the ash is set and sealed with a laser welder, traditional solder techniques or resin (for the hidden gemstone pieces). Once the ash is set it is ready for that final polish and packaged up to send back to you. 

Notification:

You will receive an email notification that your item(s) are ready to send, we may also send you some images of the process of making your items and the finished piece at this point. Then you will receive a dispatch notification and your item(s) will arrive the neck day.