Curating memories: the process behind making bespoke memory boxes

“In the end, we’ll all become stories”
 – Margaret Atwood

​Making a personal memory box is a lovely process. Together, we can create something unique that holds many special and emotive objects. It’s a wonderful way to capture the memories you want to cherish and to preserve them in a piece of art that lasts forever.

For each box I make, I personally take my customers through the process and ensure they move at a pace that feels right for them. I understand completely how important it is to get it right.

Here’s a little look behind the scenes where I reveal the exact steps taken to create the special memory box I made for …
 
From start to finish, this box took 1 month of discussion time, and 1-2 weeks of making time. It included over 70 objects.

The Process

Step One: Outlining the process

When Trev got in touch, I sent them a personal email outlining the creation process, as well as some images of example boxes and prices.

Step two: Securing the booking

I always ask for an upfront deposit of £50 for smaller boxes and £100 for large boxes. This secured Trev's booking and a discovery video call to find out more about the story behind the idea for the box, and the objects it was going to contain.

Step three: Sharing ideas

During the initial video call, Trev shared some of the objects they wanted to include in their memory box. We also discussed the size of the box, firmed up final costs and how they were going to get their special objects to me safely.

Step four: The making

Once I received Trev's objects, I started crafting, curating and making. As I developed the designs and artwork, I had several follow-up conversations with him via email and video chat, so he could see how everything was progressing.

Step five: The memory box arrives

When the box was finished, I packaged it very carefully and sent it to Trev via a specialist art courier. The box was now his to treasure.
 
I get so much satisfaction when I get feedback from my customers telling me what they think of my boxes. This is what Trev sent to me after receiving his:
 
"The more days that passed, the harder it became to bring ourselves to tidy mum’s things. It just felt like we'd be packing away small pieces of Mum from her home and our lives. When I saw what Katherine had created for someone’s late grandmother's items, I knew we had to do this – it was just perfect.

There were several video chats throughout the whole process, which was so reassuring as we got to see that Katherine wasn't just a talented artist, but was also kind, and really cared about creating something beautiful for us. Those qualities were important to Mum. 
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The whole experience was so cathartic, when we got the finished box home and presented it to Dad it really felt like a bit of the grief lifted. The clearing away of Mum's items had become a real burden for us, but to see them all displayed together in such a loving and creative way is a wonderful tribute to the most beautiful of people. And thanks to Katherine, Mum will always have pride of place in our house."

You can read about this commission in more detail here:

Read More

A guide to prices

Every memory box is made to order and no box is the same. As such, the final price will depend on the number of objects you’d like to include and how intricate the creation process might be.
 
As a guide, my smallest boxes, which are approximately 16cm x 21cm, start at £95 and my larger boxes, which are 50cm x 50cm and above, start from £500.  I can also do a range of sizes in between.

Once I’ve received a deposit, your balance can be spread out over a payment plan with the final instalment being paid on completion. 
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If you have any questions, or would like to talk through your requirements, get in touch here.

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