The Process
First of all you need to decide what type of keepsake you would like - fingerprint jewellery, little hand or footprints, mini masterpieces or one of our other ranges. Then decide which item you would like - a charm on it’s own, with a bracelet, necklace, cufflinks or one of our other great products. Have a browse around the website for ideas or come and see us to look at some examples. The possibilities are endless and just because something is not on the website doesn’t mean we can’t make it!
Then just get in touch to place your order! See How to Order.
When we receive your order we will send you a pack which contains everything you will need to take prints. This will include instructions and an order form to tell us your specific requirements. The process is clean, very quick and easy.
Taking Prints
Fingerprints
Fingerprints can be taken in one of two ways:
- Directly into a material called silver clay. For more information about silver clay see FAQs
- By post using our simple fingerprint kit. We will send you a pack containing a moulding compound which effectively captures fingerprints. It is safe and very simple to use. Also included in the pack will be instructions, an order form to tell us your specific requirements and a pre-paid envelope to return your fingerprint moulds.
Prints can be taken at any age (you don’t have to be a child!). As everyone is different it is hard to state an ideal minimum age however the younger a child is the less defined their print is likely to be. As a guide, babies under 4 months may have very shallow prints and the whorls may not be very visible. However you will still have the indent to show how tiny they are and capture a precious moment in time!
Hand, Footprints and Paw Prints
Hand, footprints and Paw prints are taken using an inkless wipe kit which captures even the very finest detail. The wipes are clean, simple, highly effective and importantly non toxic. They are even used as a safe way of identifying new born babies in hospitals. The inkless wipe kit can be sent out to you in the post with full instructions and you can email a scanned copy of your prints back to us or post a copy. Emailing it to us is a great option as it will save time so we can start working on your piece straight away and it also means no creases in the paper which may be visible on your keepsake! Alternatively if you already have a hand painting we may be able to use this too, although some detail may be lost.
Hand and Footprint jewellery is perfect even for newborns.
Mini Masterpieces
Pictures that work best for keepsake jewellery are:-
- Those that are simple with strong, clear, uncomplicated lines.
- Pictures drawn in black felt tip work perfectly as the lines are nice and thick and detail is not lost. Don’t worry if the picture you have is in colour though. Send it to us and we can have a look!
- Artwork should be no bigger than A4
We can work with you to decide on the best options if you wish. Art work can be scanned and sent to us via e-mail. This is a great option as it will save time so we can start working on your piece straight away and it also means no creases in paper! You can also post a black and white photocopy in a hard backed envelope. Please do not fold the paper and get creases through your artwork as these may be visible on your jewellery!
We would prefer not to receive the original masterpiece.
Once we receive the picture we will confirm whether it can be used and offer any guidance regarding the chosen jewellery shape if required.
All drawings are returned with the finished jewellery
If you are unsure whether a drawing will work, let us have a look and see if it’s appropriate. Taking parts of pictures works successfully too if the whole picture is too much!
Kisses
All we need is your kiss print on a plain white piece of paper! The darker the impression the better so a nice dark lipstick is recommended! The print can be scanned and emailed to us or posted. Emailing it to us is a great option as it will save time so we can start working on your piece straight away and it also means no creases in the paper which may be visible on your keepsake!
What next?
Once we receive your prints, artwork or kisses, we can start work on your piece! We hand make every charm from start to end, including hand engraving and polishing. Your finished piece will be complete approximately 3 weeks after receipt of prints. During busy times such as Christmas, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, this may be longer. If you require them quicker please do let us know and we will do our best to achieve this.
Receiving your keepsake
We will send your Fingerprint Jewellery, Hand and Footprint, Mini Masterpiece, Kiss or Paw Print keepsake via Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. This ensures delivery by 1pm the next working day and allows compensation up to £500. The exception to this is if you have had your prints taken at a local group in Norwich and then I will return your keepsakes to the group. Your jewellery or keepsake will come packaged in a lovely gift box or bag.