Every keepsake we make begins the same way: with a photo of a pet someone loved. What happens between that upload and the box on the doorstep is a mix of digital review and hands-on craft. Here is a look at how a custom pet piece is actually made.
Step 1: You Choose a Piece and Send Photos
It starts on our Customize page. You pick a style — a figurine, an engraved crystal, a felt sculpture, a painting, and so on — and upload your photos. Two or three clear images work best, including one close head shot taken in natural light. If your pet had a distinctive marking or expression, those are the photos to include.
What Makes a Good Photo
The single biggest factor in how a keepsake turns out is the photo it is based on. You do not need professional images — a phone photo is fine — but a few things help:
- Face the camera. A clear head shot, taken straight on, gives the most to work from.
- Use natural light. Soft daylight shows markings and eye color accurately; harsh flash flattens them.
- Keep it sharp. A slightly blurry photo can still work, but a crisp one always helps.
- Show the details that matter. A distinctive patch, a crooked ear, or a favorite expression is worth including.
- Send a few angles. Two or three images let us cross-check the shape of the face and body.
Step 2: We Review Your Photos
Before anything is made, the photos are checked for clarity and detail. This is also where we confirm the details of your order: which pet (or pets) should be included, any pose preference, and the format you chose. Because a keepsake is built from these images, catching a problem now — a blurry shot, a pet facing away — saves time later.
Step 3: The Artisan Makes Your Piece
From here, the method depends on the material.
3D Printed Sculptures
A digital model is built from your photos and then printed in three dimensions, layer by layer. The result is a solid, freestanding portrait you can view from any angle. See our 3D printed pet figurine.
Engraved Crystal and Stone
For crystal, the image is engraved into the material to create a dimensional, glowing likeness, especially when lit. For slate, a laser etches the portrait into natural stone, producing a crisp, high-contrast mark that stands up to weather. Our slate memorial stone is made this way.
Needle-Felted Wool
In wool felt art, the sculpture is built entirely by hand, fiber by fiber, until the shape and coloring match your pet. It is the most tactile style we make. See the wool felt 3D portrait frame.
Hand-Painted Portraits
A painted portrait is made with brush and pigment, layer over layer, to capture expression and personality that a camera alone cannot. It is a slower, more traditional process, and each piece is finished by hand.
Jewelry, Acrylic, and Metal
Smaller pieces are engraved, sculpted, or cast, then finished by hand — polished edges, fitted settings, and a final pass to make sure the likeness is right before the piece is cleared to ship.
Step 4: Finishing and a Final Check
Once the core work is done, each piece is finished, cleaned, and inspected. Edges are smoothed, surfaces are protected, and the likeness is compared against your original photos. Anything that does not meet the mark is corrected before it ships.
Step 5: Packing, Shipping, and Tracking
Finished pieces are packed for safe transit and shipped worldwide, with delivery included in the price. Production typically takes 10–15 days, and shipping to the US adds about 7–14 days, so most orders arrive within 17–29 days. A tracking number is emailed as soon as your order leaves the studio.
Making It Last: Simple Care
- Crystal: keep out of prolonged direct sunlight and dust gently with a soft cloth.
- Slate: rinse or wipe as needed; it is made for the outdoors and weathers gracefully.
- Wool felt: keep indoors and dry, and reshape gently by hand if needed.
- Paintings and acrylic: display out of direct sun to protect the colors.
- Jewelry: store separately to avoid scratches, and remove before swimming or heavy work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many photos should I send?
Two or three clear photos, including a close head shot, are ideal. More can help when a pet has distinctive markings.
Can you make a piece from an old or low-quality photo?
Often, yes — send what you have and we will tell you what is possible before production begins.
Can multiple pets appear in one piece?
Yes. Note each pet when you order so all are included.
What if the finished piece is damaged in transit?
Contact us with photos. Custom pieces are non-returnable unless defective or damaged; a damaged item is covered.
Behind every keepsake is a real photo, a real pet, and a pair of hands that took the time to get it right.