Be they morticians, pathologists, funeral house workers or gravediggers – people who deal with the dead have always been assumed to be interesting, because, well, they deal with the dead. Movies and books always seem to present workers in those professions as outright creepy. They play around with the bodies of the deceased. looking at something like this everyday can make anyone look creepy.
This is the very reason why I don’t usually mention that I am a Cremation Artist. People don’t want to think about death.The idea of using human remains to create art can be super creepy to some people.
In the past a Post-Mortem Photographer would memorialized your loved one in an artist photograph. Back in the Victorian ages it was common to have a family portrait taken when someone in the family died. Families who wanted to remember their loved ones after they had passed did so with a family “Death Photo”.
Today People find it just down right creepy by the thought of looking at a photo of their loved one after death as a way to remember them. Most people don’t even want to view the body, Fearful of death and afraid that the image will be forever imprinted into their minds.
Let’s just face it death creeps people out. Before I started doing Cremation Art I would have agreed. Now that I have a much deeper understanding of death and the process of cremation and burial. The job of the mortician and funeral director is really much more beautiful than anyone knows.
This person will be the last person to touch your loved ones body. Preparing them for the souls journey home. Every detail from funeral director to cremator is genuinely the most honorable job of the living besides hospice care nurses. Like spirit guides they comfort the living and honor the dead. It really is so very beautiful. There is nothing creepy about honoring someone’s loved one. All of this being a job that not everyone can do.
Even though it appears creepy, in all reality I think most people are thankful that there are people out there that can do this job. Someone willing to wash your loved ones face for the last time. Paying attention to every detail to help make the families experience with grief and loss easier. This is the reason that I became a Cremation Artist. Not everyone can turn human remains into a work of art. Not everyone can be a spirit guide or “Capture the Last Breath”.
People are so fearful of death. And I don’t think that society is going to change views about the “creepy mortician” or the “Creepy Cremation Artist” any time soon with all the great scary zombie movies out there. Such a burden to bare and no one giving them any credit for being the one who is most likely to be bitten and turned into a zombie first.

Read how I “Capture the Last Breath”

Capturing Carbon Energy and The Last Breath. Carbon Energy at it’s essence. We are all made from this. Energy never dies, it simply transforms.
Joele Williams

Imagine a beautiful wind chime or sun catcher that the sun light shines through the ashes. Imagine a wonderful glass sculpture on your mantle of an ocean wave with the cremation ashes in the crest. Imagine a wonderful candle you can light that illuminates the ashes of your loved one inside the glass. Cremation memorial art is not just jewelry anymore.

I create one-of-a-kind works of art and jewelry that Infuses your loved one forever into glass. Everything I make is a special design. I work one on one with you to create a memorial that fits your loved one.Placing your loved ones, cremation ashes into glass is a beautiful, respectful, and loving way to show your appreciation and remembrance for the life that brought you so much joy. A glass cremation keepsake is the perfect way to show your love and remembrance and can be handed down from generation to generation

“With my last breath, I’ll exhale my love for you”

Cremation ashes are not easy to work with. I spent over 6 years learning how to control the ashes in glass. Carbons release air and air creates bubbles. But what are these bubbles? Well it is the last bit of air absorbed into the body. I call it capturing the”last breath”.

Although cremated remains are commonly called “ashes”, in truth they are comprised of bone fragments. The cremation process destroys all traces of organic matter. The extreme heat of cremation (around 1400 to 1800 degrees) means that no traces of anything remains (regardless of the material) with your loved one’s ashes. it is very common to find trace elements, particularly metals, in bone fragments. These metals are absorbed by the bones throughout an individual’s lifetime and remain in the ashes. These metals give bone its extraordinary strength and durability and allow it to survive the intense heat required for cremation. These temperatures are what make it possible to put the ashes in glass. Glass becomes a honey like viscosity at these temperatures and it is then when the ashes can be trapped inside it.
When your trapping ashes in glass there is a time period and temperature where all of the air inside the bone fragments tries to escape. This is the last air left inside your body after cremation. I call it “the last breath”. Not only does this cause bubbles in the glass but it can make it extremely difficult to work with the ashes in the glass. I have worked for years to learn how to control this and have now found a way to capture this “last breath” inside the glass. I have developed a special technique that takes days and multiple firings in the kiln to create my cremation memorials. Capturing Carbon Energy and The Last Breath. Carbon Energy at it’s essence. We are all made from this. Energy never dies, it simply transforms.

Imagine a beautiful wind chime or sun catcher that the sun light shines through the ashes. Imagine a wonderful glass sculpture on your mantle of an ocean wave with the cremation ashes in the crest. Imagine a wonderful candle you can light that illuminates the ashes of your loved one inside the glass. Cremation memorial art is not just jewelry anymore.

I create one-of-a-kind works of art and jewelry that Infuses your loved one forever into glass. Everything I make is a special design. I work one on one with you to create a memorial that fits your loved one.Placing your loved ones, cremation ashes into glass is a beautiful, respectful, and loving way to show your appreciation and remembrance for the life that brought you so much joy. A glass cremation keepsake is the perfect way to show your love and remembrance and can be handed down from generation to generation

Connecting with spirits through music : The Universal Language

Do you think it’s possible to connect to spirits? Could music act as a voice for the dead? Maybe in playing music from their time period or something they loved to listen to when they were alive you can open some kind of a door way. Or If we “are energy” could it be the electrical currents that the music is traveling through that gives them the perfect way to connect to us?

Many Native American traditions use music to create energy/power/magic as part of connecting with spirits. Even certain churches used to sing to draw in the Holy Spirit and some people believe you can connect to a Spirit Guide using music. Music is often even used to connect to your inner spirit to carry you to enlightenment. And has been used in paranormal experiments to connect with the dead.

The five senses are important to the physical but the ability for souls to move material items is incredible. Some people are more in tune with what they hear and see. I think not only is it possible to connect through music but I have done this myself during cremation ash infusions. While infusing cremation ashes into glass art. Music is something I use during the process to feel connected to the person I am honoring. I think it could draw them to us and I have experienced this “musical” phenomenon twice now.

Songs come on the radio that have meaning. Radios turn on by themselves. Playlists playing I never touched with songs that you know deep in your soul were like words from the departed. These things are not coincidences. Maybe music is the universal language and with it you can open some doorway.

Native American Indians believed you could squint your eyes and watch the souls leave the body. This “energy” is traveling to the spirit world. The soul is energy at it’s essence. We are all made from this. Energy never dies, it simply transforms. Energy that is here- there and everywhere. We are always in connection with this energy unknowingly. Why couldn’t it be that “energy” can connect to this world with music being the perfect conduit to speak for the dead?

Capturing Carbon Energy and The Last Breath. Carbon Energy at it’s essence. We are all made from this. Energy never dies, it simply transforms.
Joele Williams

Is a pile of collected Urns and Boxes what you intend on leaving as the legacy of your family when you pass away?

The grieving process seems never ending. People mourn in different ways. It takes time to be able to finally let go of the pain while also not forgetting and becoming able to celebrate the past. While many people are able to find a sense of closure after going through the funeral or memorial services or just a gathering of people reminiscing in tribute, some are not able to let go. The process of planning and contacting people, and speaking with relatives keeps the mind and schedule busy, and in a sense, keeps your loved one alive. After the services are over and what is called “normal life” resumes all around you, it can be the most difficult of times.

Letting go is something unfortunately some find they simply cannot do, especially when cremation is involved. Unless the ashes were placed in a formal memorial they often get carried around or stored away, even in a closet. Unfortunately this is common with a loved family pet as well. Leaving some of us to become “bone collectors” so to speak. If this is you, you know that letting go is part of the process of healing. Letting go is also one of the hardest things to do. As the days, weeks and years pass, your life and time ticks away and your loved ones ashes are still with you, meaning you have not really let go at all.

Is this a disservice to the final resting place of your loved ones and even to yourself. stifling your ability to move forward and cluttering your life by holding onto the past? Holding on to what most people have- a “Box’, “Urn”, or “Urns”. I know some people have the ashes of their entire family and animals too. Is a pile of collected Urns and Boxes what you intend on leaving as the legacy of your family when you pass away?

What if I told you you could Let go and hold on at the same time. What if the ashes could be more than ashes in a “box”. If you could take the ashes of your loved one and turn them into a cremation memorial, a work of Art or even turn them into a stone that you could wear or keep in your pocket. Forever trapped in glass that could be handed down from generation to generation. Not only could you keep the ashes with you but you may even find yourself strong enough to Let your loved one reconnect to the earth. from dust we come and to dust we return.

With the growing popularity of cremation so is the popularity of cremation art. People want to hold on to the ashes and most people don’t know about cremation art. Imagine the cremation ashes of your loved one captured forever into an unbelievable work of art. Infused into glass that can be handed down from generation to generation. What better way to capture the spirit of your loved one. Imagine a beautiful wind chime or sun catcher that the sun light shines through the ashes. Imagine a wonderful glass sculpture on your mantle of an ocean wave with the cremation ashes in the crest. Imagine a wonderful candle you can light that illuminates the ashes of your loved one inside the glass. Cremation memorial art is not just jewelry anymore.

I create one-of-a-kind works of art and jewelry that Infuses your loved one forever into glass. Everything I make is a special design. I work one on one with you to create a memorial that fits your loved one.Placing your loved ones, cremation ashes into glass is a beautiful, respectful, and loving way to show your appreciation and remembrance for the life that brought you so much joy. A glass cremation keepsake is the perfect way to show your love and remembrance and can be handed down from generation to generation

From dust we arise and to dust we must eventually return

What Exactly Are Ashes, And why can it be used in Kiln formed glass?
Although cremated remains are commonly called “ashes”, in truth they are comprised of bone fragments. The cremation process destroys all traces of organic matter. The extreme heat of cremation (around 1400 to 1800 degrees) means that no traces of anything remains (regardless of the material) with your loved one’s ashes. There may however be some minor traces of materials that were with the body during cremation such as fillings, implants, but these will most likely be detected and removed after processing. The only thing remaining of the human body after cremation is part bone and occasionally small amounts of salts and minerals.

Because of peoples diets and other factors each sample of cremated remains is entirely unique. Although all that remains of a loved one after the cremation process are bone fragments processed into ashes, these ashes have a very special signature that identifies them as belonging to your loved one and no one else. All of the unique habits and environments experienced by your loved one during their lifetime leave a elemental fingerprint present in their ashes after cremation.

All of These elements give bone its extraordinary strength and durability and allow it to survive the intense heat required for cremation. These temperatures are what make it possible to put the ashes in glass. it is very common to find trace elements, particularly metals, in bone fragments. These metals are absorbed by the bones throughout an individual’s lifetime and remain in the ashes. These metals will also sometimes show up in the cremation ashes after being infused into glass. Because the temperatures of cremation are the same as kiln formed glass this means that the bone or ashes will not disappear inside the glass. If you were to place organic matter inside glass (like a leaf) it would leave a fingerprint but would disappear all together. Because the bone fragments can withstand such high temperatures this is how the ashes are then trapped into the glass while the glass is at a liquid honey like viscosity.

Cremation ashes are not easy to work with. I have spent over 3 years learning the effects of cremation ashes in glass and how to control it. I have created a special technique that takes days and multiple firings in the kiln to create my cremation memorial keepsakes. Harnessing Carbon Energy at it’s essence. We are all made from this.

Energy never dies, it simply transforms.

The History of the first known pieces of cremation jewelry can be dated back to the beginning of man. Everything from skin, nails, tears or even droplets of blood behind a plate of glass were used as keepsakes. Over time, these memorial keepsakes have evolved from blood to hair and now the use of cremation ashes in modern art work. All with the purpose to help people with grief and the loss of a loved one.

Carved Acorn with the teeth inside —- Teeth memorial necklace

Back in the Victorian ages it was common to have a family portrait taken when someone in the family died. Families who wanted to remember their loved ones after they had passed did so with a family “Death Photo”.It was around this time that memorial jewelry began to take the place of the death photo. At the time, it was called mourning jewelry and did not hold ashes: it held hair. When people died, hair was often clipped from the head of a deceased person and then woven into a bonnet that would be given to the next of kin. This is very similar to the way cremation jewelry for ashes is used today.

A Family “Death Photo” 1800’s —— Woven Human Hair

The first mourning jewelry to incorporate bodily remains featured intricately woven hair. and were often pins, rings or pendants. Mourning jewelry was hair art; hair art is the ancient practice of creating wreaths, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bonnets and other decorative accessories entirely from human hair. The pieces were intricate crochet work and elaborate weaves. This made mourning and the passing less heartbreaking for those that lost a loved one.

Woven Human Hair Memorial Earrings

People considered it bad luck to possess things of the dead such as teeth, skin and nails so, people started carrying things like burial dirt, a lock of hair, or even the cremated ashes of their loved one so that they could keep them close and not have to worry about bad luck following them.
Today Cremation has almost replaced traditional burials and with this growing popularity cremation jewelry has replaced hair art. Modern cremation jewelry is not the only thing people are doing with the cremation ashes of their loved ones. Today cremation ashes are used in everything from Paintings with the ash in the paint, ashes tattooed into your skin, to Glass formed with cremation ashes inside jewelry and works of art. Cremation art has taken the place of the intricate hair art/mourning jewelry of the past.

People have always held on to something to heal grief or feel more connected to lost loved ones. Creating keepsakes from the remains of people who have passed away, I am sure will always be apart of the human grief process.

Capturing Carbon Energy and The Last Breath. Carbon Energy at it’s essence. We are all made from this. Energy never dies, it simply transforms.
Joele Williams

Imagine a beautiful wind chime or sun catcher that the sun light shines through the ashes. Imagine a wonderful glass sculpture on your mantle of an ocean wave with the cremation ashes in the crest. Imagine a wonderful candle you can light that illuminates the ashes of your loved one inside the glass. Cremation memorial art is not just jewelry anymore.
I create one-of-a-kind works of art and jewelry that Infuses your loved one forever into glass. Everything I make is a special design. I work one on one with you to create a memorial that fits your loved one. Placing your loved ones, cremation ashes into glass is a beautiful, respectful, and loving way to show your appreciation and remembrance for the life that brought you so much joy. A glass cremation keepsake is the perfect way to show your love and remembrance and can be handed down from generation to generation

Why would a woman in the middle of her life seek out death on a daily basis? Well, I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life. My work has deep roots of empathy, connection and stories of life and love. This connection to people and creativity has been my healing. Far out weighing any sort of “Creepy” or depressing aspect. People are so fearful of death. Cremation Art actually gives us the chance to hold on to something more than a jar or urn. Why not take the ashes out of the urn and turn ashes into Art.

Cremation is becoming a popular alternative to traditional burials. Leaving many people with urns containing cremated remains. A jar of ashes on the mantle, or a box in the attic. Most people don’t know what to do with the ashes. You may have a scattering ceremony in a place that is meaningful to you. Many people may find it hard to simply pour the ashes of a loved one out onto the ground or into the sea. That requires letting go. Letting go is the hard part. Cremation actually just gives us the chance to hold on to something. Helping people through the journey of grief.

So how does someone become a“cremation artist”. Well, lets just say it came looking for me. I began working with cremation ash about 4 years ago when a friends father passed and he asked if I could make him something with ashes in my glass art. I felt a calling to make him some cremation jewelry for his sisters. I was amazed at what a challenge it was to work with the ashes and spent over 3 years studying cremation ash and it’s effects inside kiln formed glass by offering my service for free to family and friends.
Soon after my Mom passed away I stopped working with the ashes all together and felt unable to even look at hers. The grief I was going through was unexplainable. I had no interest in anything that had anything to do with cremation ashes. I was beginning my own journey through grief. In time I felt my mother calling me to make this cremation art with her ashes. After about a year I finally had the strength to make art with my mothers ashes. And through that process I finally understood how healing this craft I do can be for people. I knew then that not only could I do what I love, but maybe what I love doing could bring comfort and healing to others who have found grief from the passing of a loved one. I have always wanted to help people and what better way then to do it with art

The people who have come to me, they’re such amazing people, and as I weep for them, I also learn so much from them all the time, and their stories, No one has a cure for grief. Sharing my own experiences might be helpful and comforting, but mostly, it’s that someone is there for you in a non-judgmental, caring way. Helping you to memorialize their loved one through Art and the human connection.
The idea of using human remains to create art can be super creepy to some people. Most people don’t even want to view the body, fearful of death . This is the very reason why I don’t usually mention that I am a Cremation Artist. People don’t want to think about death. The look on peoples face when you tell them that you make art from cremains is one of discomfort and confusion. I really want to change that.

I want people to rethink what they can do with the ashes. They don’t have to hide inside the urn or in the closet anymore. Cremains are just breathtaking when trapped inside glass. People feel good knowing they honored their loved one in a beautiful way. This is the reason that I became a Cremation Artist. Not everyone can turn human remains into a work of art. Not everyone can be a spirit guide or “Capture the Last Breath”. I want to encourage people to look at the urn in a new way. Lets take the ashes out of the urn and shine the light through them. They are beautiful. This is the“Art”of grieving.
In the 8 years I have been a professional artist I have always thought that I was following the right path. And now I know.