What makes glass so special when preserving memories
Welcome
Welcome to my studio. I would like to tell you about my passion for memorial jewellery and cremation ashes in glass — a craft that I carry out with full dedication every day.
My work revolves around incorporating cremation ashes and locks of hair into glass, a craft in which emotion and craftsmanship come together in every design.
For years I have been working with glass, a material that continues to fascinate me with its strength, clarity and pure appearance.
It allows itself to be shaped by fire and attention and has the special property of preserving something dear in a way that feels timeless.
Each design is an interplay of technology, attention and feeling. There, in balance between temperature and the flow of the glass, something is created that is both tangible and emotional.
A small amount of cremation ashes are enclosed, safely stored in the eternal beauty of glass. In this way, a memory is not only preserved, but also made visible — pure, personal and lasting.
In addition to my own work in the studio, I work together with other artists and carefully selected dealers who each bring their own specialism and craftsmanship.
This collaboration has created a versatile and sophisticated collection — one in which each piece carries its own character and meaning.
Men’s collection of memorial jewellery
In my men’s collection of memorial jewelry , the same purity of glass comes together with sturdy materials such as leather, sailrope, stainless steel and natural stone.
Each bracelet is carefully curated — powerful in appearance, but with an understated symbolism.
The processing of cremation ashes or a lock of hair in a stainless steel charm or glass element makes each piece of jewellery unique and personal, without it having to be visible as a memorial piece of jewellery.
I think that’s important: it can radiate strength, but also calm.
A bracelet that not only remembers, but can also be worn with pride — subtle, stylish and personal.
Also check out the men’s memorial jewelry collection — handmade with attention and processed with cremation ashes in glass.
The power of glass
Fusing cremation ashes into glass creates a lasting symbol that subtly brings power and memory together.
Glass is a unique material that can be executed in countless colors, shades and transparencies.
It can be bright or deep in color, subtly translucent or almost opaque — just the way someone wants it.
The visibility of the cremation ashes can also be adjusted: clearly present, or soft and sheltered incorporated into the glass.
During the melting process, the glass is carefully heated until it reaches the right fluidity to be shaped.
This is followed by a controlled cooling period in a professional oven, so that the glass retains its strength and stability.
Well-treated glass is durable and strong — meant to be preserved, with a beauty that lasts.
What makes glass so special to me is its pure and natural character.
It was created from earth, sand, and fire —elements that combine to create something lasting.
In my studio, that material takes on a new meaning: as a safe place where memory and craft meet.
Each piece of jewellery and urn is carefully shaped and carries the astonishing beauty and timeless design that make glass so unique.
You can read more about glass processing on the website of the National Glass Museum.
A craft that demands attention
Making a memorial piece of jewellery or urn does not start with material, but with attention.
Every design is born out of respect for what someone wants to preserve — a small part of a life that is precious.
Each piece is individually shaped, carefully built up in layers of glass and checked by hand each time.
Melting, shaping and cooling requires time and concentration.
A fraction of a second too long or too short, and the structure changes.
That is precisely what makes the craft so special: it requires peace, experience and feeling.
The flame, the glass, the temperature and the pace together determine the moment when it is just right.
When the cremation ashes are added, the meaning of the work changes.
From that moment on, it is no longer a glass object, but a personal memory.
In every piece of jewelry, in every urn, that piece of attention and dedication is hidden.
This is what distinguishes a craft from a mass product: it carries care, meaning and time, and thus forms something that is truly unique — something that lasts.
A lasting memory
Each urn or piece of jewellery is created with the same dedication: to preserve something dear in a form that lasts.
That’s the power of handicraft — attention, time, and respect brought together in a design that can last for generations.
If you choose a memorial item made of glass, you are not only choosing something beautiful, but something with meaning.
A personal symbol that is allowed to speak silently, without words, and that reminds every day of what is permanent.
A memorial piece of jewellery may accompany you on your path through life, with precious memories close to your heart.
Contact
For questions or personal advice, please contact Jet Couwenberg via info@crematieasinglas.nl.
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