Frequently Asked Questions

What is metal clay?

Metal Clay is made from powdered metal combined with an organic binder and water. It can be modeled, molded, or sculpted then when heated to a high temperature in a kiln, the binder burns away, and the metal particles sinter (or fuse) into solid metal.  I work with numerous forms of metal clay and they contain the following properties:

  • Fine Silver is .999 fine silver after firing.  It is a bright silver and tarnishes less quickly than sterling silver.
  • The Sterling Silver I use is .950 silver after firing.  Standard sterling is .925, but I use a higher percentage of fine silver to help hinder tarnishing as quickly.  Sterling silver is a bit harder than fine silver and is recommend for bracelets, keychains, rings, or anything else that will get bumped around more.
  • The gold I use is 22k gold and is an alloy of 91.7% gold and 8.3% silver. The pieces I make are solid gold and not plated. It is bright gold in color and is considered very strong.
  • Bronze is solid bronze after firing.  It is not as bright as gold, but is gold toned.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Brilliant Bronze is solid bronze after firing.  This bronze is as close to gold color as you can get with base metal.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Rose Bronze is solid bronze after firing.  This bronze has a pink tint to it...not as bright as copper, but somewhere between bronze and copper.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Copper is solid copper after firing.  I typically leave the copper in its natural state, but it can be antiqued for a more rustic look.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • White Satin is a unique combination of iron, bronze and tin.  This metal is also very lightweight and very strong and durable.  The color can vary from dark silver to light gray to dark gray.  When polished to a high polish it has a silver tone, but is not as bright as silver.  White Satin is protected with a sealant to prevent rust and is not recommended to be worn in water at all.  

What is the difference between fine silver and sterling silver?

  • Fine silver is .999 pure silver.  This silver will not tarnish as quickly, but it is a bit softer than sterling.  
  • The sterling silver I use is .950 sterling, which contains 5% copper and 95% silver.  The copper adds some strength to the silver, but causes it to tarnish more quickly. 
  • I typically recommend fine silver for necklaces and sterling silver for bracelets, rings and keychains.

How long will my order take?

While I do complete most orders more quickly than this, please allow the following production time:

  • Everlasting Prints (fingerprints, hand prints, footprints, lip prints, etc):  2-3 weeks after I receive your fingerprint image(s)
  • Love Notes (handwriting, artwork, photos, etc):  2-3 weeks after I receive your handwriting image(s)
  • Precious Pets:  2-3 weeks after I receive your photos, paw prints, fur, etc.
  • Cremation Ashes​:  2-3 weeks after I receive your ashes.
  • Birthstone Jewelry: 2-3 weeks after I receive your order.

Any items not listed here should include the production timeframe in the listing. Please contact me if you need your order more quickly or if you have additional questions.

Shipping time is IN ADDITION to production time. Please allow the following amount of time for shipping:

  • Economy ships via USPS Ground Advantage and typically takes 5-8 business days.
  • Standard ships via USPS Priority Mail and typically takes 2-4 business days
  • Express ships via USPS Priority Express Mail and typically takes 1-2 business days.

Please keep in mind that I CANNOT GUARANTEE DELIVERY once it has left my studio. I can only guarantee production time.

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How to obtain the best fingerprint

I have found the pencil, paper and tape fingerprint method to be the easiest and most effective way of capturing your prints:

Once you have your fingerprints, simply send a well photographed photo to info@atimelessimpression.com 

In most cases, I can use fingerprints taken by funeral homes. 

I can also use photographs of actual fingers, as long as the fingerprint lines are well focused with no glares or shadows.

You are welcome to send any fingerprints to me for review prior to placing your order.  

How to Properly Measure My Wrist:

Using a soft tape measure:  Wrap the tape measure around the area of your wrist you would like your bracelet to sit.  The location where of the "0" is your wrist size.  See the arrow in the image below points to 6-3/8".  

If you prefer your bracelet more loose, add 1/4" to your measurement.  I will size your bracelet to "fit" your wrist size, your bracelet will not measure the wrist size you provide (i.e., my wrist size is 6-3/8" and my bracelet length is usually 6-1/2 to 6-3/4" depending on the bracelet material).  

Using a string: If you do not have a soft tape measure, you can use a pice of string or ribbon.  You will wrap the string the same as shown above, then measure from one end of the string to the other.  It is important that the string or ribbon be thin...a thicker material will show a larger size.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance.  

How are dog/cat nose textured keepsakes made?

Please visit this blog post to learn more about how dog and cat nose keepsakes. This blog includes tips for getting the best photos of your pet's nose.

How are Cremation Ash keepsakes made?

I use a tiny amount of your cremation ashes and mix them with the silver metal clay. The ashes are completely encapsulated in silver after firing in the kiln. Upon receiving your order, I will email you with instructions for sending your ashes. I will need less than 1/8" teaspoon of your ashes and will return all unused ashes.