Company Turns Ashes Of Pets Into Glass Replica Paws So You Can Remember Them Forever

One of the hardest things that we will experience in life is the loss of a loved one. In order to maintain those memories, it helps to have something tangible that we can keep close by. Something that is both beautiful and thoughtful to help us remember our departed friend.

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

Davenport Memorial Glass makes these kinds of reminders by infusing a small portion of your loved one’s ashes into a stunning work of glass art. Pet paws are one of the more popular items. They are small enough to carry and you can keep a little piece of your beloved dog or cat with you on the go.

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

“Our goal is to physically capture a moment, to create a keepsake that brings back a memory,” Davenport writes on their website. “Nothing will compare to the time spent with your loved one, but we hope to aid in treasuring them and remembering the precious time you had together.”

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

Pets are a large part of our lives but in most cultures, there is not a particular custom that allows us to memorialize them. Most people will bury their pets, either at a pet cemetery or elsewhere.

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

If a pet cemetery is not nearby, then Davenport’s Memorial pieces are an alternative you may want to consider. All you need is a small spoonful of ashes sent to Davenport by post. They have many options available, including this pendant.

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

“Ash heart and pendant. Made with the ashes of a beautiful young girl born to rock”

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

Davenport also offers the glass art without the ashes added. It is an ancient art that has been around for hundreds of years. The classic techniques offered by Davenport also utilize modern methods.

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“I started blowing glass back in 2003, Cameron Davenport, the man behind the business told Bored Panda. “After many years of struggling, I finally took a class from an artist by the name of Phil Siegel. That’s when everything changed. I started focusing more on the art, and less on the function. Working harder to make it clean and uniform rather than just sellable.”

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

“About 10 years ago I lost a good friend. I was given a small spoonful of his ashes that I had just set on my bookshelf for a number of years.”

“One day it came to me, and I decided to make him into a marble. There were quite a few friends that thought this was a neat idea and asked me to make them some memorial glass as well. It sort of just snowballed after that.”

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

It has taken years for Cameron to perfect the technique he uses to infuse the ashes so he keeps it secret. “The ashes put a lot of stress into the glass while working with it, making it very difficult to work with,” he explained. “I’ve had many glass artists contact me and ask how I do it. I’d be up for teaching a class one day.”

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

There is also a level of sadness associated with this work because many customers come to Cameron who are still grieving. Cameron does his best to connect with his customers on a personal level, learning about the background behind the request before he makes the custom piece. “One of the hardest parts about my job is hearing stories about S.I.D.S. It absolutely eats me up inside. I get a ton of sad emails and often need to take breaks from reading,” he said.

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

In addition, the craftsmanship offered by Cameron extends beyond art and creates Memorial pieces. “One of my favorite parts about my job is the smiles and tears I receive from my clients,” he told BoredPanda.

Image Source: BoredPanda / Davenport Memorial Glass

“They love the work I do for them and the meaning behind it. As each day goes on, I become more and more grateful for the people in my life and the time I get to spend with them. Doing this type of work really highlights the love in my life. I look forward to many more years of spreading joy and comfort through memorial glass.”