Business Details
18 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Personalised Keepsakes & Gift Ideas in Essex
Cast A Memory was founded in 2008 by Sharon Dixey, a mother of three who sought a career combining her passion for preserving precious moments with the flexibility of raising a family. With over 12 years of expertise in creating clay impressions and life casts, we specialise in transforming fleeting memories into tangible heirlooms for families, couples, and pet owners. Our services have evolved to include personalised silver jewellery, specialist framing for memorabilia, and bereavement casting, reflecting our commitment to adapting to client needs while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. Every keepsake is crafted using high-quality materials, from 99.9% pure silver for jewellery to archival-grade components for framed displays, ensuring longevity and emotional resonance.We serve clients across Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, offering both studio appointments and compassionate home visits for bereavement cases, with a 20% deposit system to secure bookings. Our 4-6 week production times for most items balance careful craftsmanship with timely delivery, supported by transparent communication throughout the process.
Services
Baby Clay Impressions
Family Hand Casts
Pet Paw Prints
Silver Jewellery
Memorial Framing
Bereavement Casting
Gift Vouchers
Home Visits
Custom Framing
Clay Keepsakes
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- 12+ years perfecting clay impression techniques for baby and family keepsakes
- Pioneering bereavement casting services for pets and humans since 2022
- Custom framing solutions preserving war medals, baby shoes, and achievements
- Handcrafted silver jewellery incorporating fingerprints, drawings, and paw prints
- Flexible service offering studio appointments and compassionate home visits
What people say
Beautiful keepsakes
Compassionate service
Highly recommend
Perfect memorial
Professional results
Services
Baby Clay Impressions
Our detailed clay impressions preserve baby's hands and feet in 2D tiles framed to last generations. Using soft, safe materials suitable from newborns to adults, we create keepsakes that capture every crease and fingerprint. Clients choose from multiple framing options including oak, white, and silver finishes with custom mountboard colours.
Family Hand Casts
These three-dimensional hand casts capture intricate details like fingernails and skin texture. Ideal for milestones like anniversaries or family portraits, the process uses alginate moulds that set in 1-2 minutes. Finished pieces are painted and mounted on bases for display.
Pet Paw Memorials
We create clay impressions and silver jewellery from pet paw prints, including options for recently departed animals. The process accommodates all pet sizes, with home visits available for nervous or ill animals. Keepsakes can incorporate hair, collars, and tags for personalisation.
Silver Jewellery
Crafted from 99.9% pure silver, these pieces transform fingerprints, drawings, and paw prints into wearable art. Options include charms, cufflinks, and keyrings with chain accessories. Clients can provide artwork or use our ink kits for remote impressions.
Specialist Framing
Our 80mm deep oak frames showcase items like baby shoes, war medals, and achievement awards. Custom layouts incorporate photographs, engravings, and multiple memorabilia pieces. Double mounting and premium finishes ensure lasting presentation quality.
People
Sharon Dixey
Founder & Director
Sharon established Cast A Memory in 2008 after developing baby casting techniques following her twins' birth. With 17 years of experience in memorial artistry, she pioneered bereavement casting services in 2022 and trains staff in compassionate keepsake creation.
Questions
What age can baby hand/foot impressions be taken?
From newborns to adults – we've created keepsakes for people of all ages, including elderly relatives and parents.
Can I add personalisation to my keepsake?
Yes, we offer engraving options for names, dates, and messages on most products, starting from £8-£10 extra.
How long does the casting process take?
Studio sessions last 45 minutes to 1 hour, with processing times of 4-6 weeks for standard items.
Do you offer bereavement services for pets?
Yes, we provide home and veterinary visits for recently departed pets, with call-out fees starting at £25.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfers and 20% deposits via our website, with full payment due before production starts.
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