FAQ's

What is metal clay?
Metal Clay is made from powdered metal combined with an organic binder and water. It can be modeled, molded, or sculpted then when heated to a high temperature in a kiln, the binder burns away, and the metal particles sinter (or fuse) into solid metal.  I work with numerous forms of metal clay and they contain the following properties:
  • Fine Silver is .999 fine silver after firing.  It is a bright silver and tarnishes less quickly than sterling silver.
  • The Sterling Silver I use is .950 silver after firing.  Standard sterling is .925, but I use a higher percentage of fine silver to help hinder tarnishing as quickly.  Sterling silver is a bit harder than fine silver and is recommend for bracelets, keychains, rings, or anything else that will get bumped around more.
  • Bronze is solid bronze after firing.  It is not as bright as gold, but is gold toned.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Brilliant Bronze is solid bronze after firing.  This bronze is as close to gold color as you can get with base metal.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Rose Bronze is solid bronze after firing.  This bronze has a pink tint to it...not as bright as copper, but somewhere between bronze and copper.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Copper is solid copper after firing.  I typically leave the copper in its natural state, but it can be antiqued for a more rustic look.  While I protect all base metals with a sealant, bronze may patina over time.
  • Steel is solid steel after firing.  This metal is very lightweight and very strong and durable.  The color can vary from light gray to almost black, depending on the process.  It has a silver tone to it, but is not as bright as silver.  Steel is protected with a sealant to prevent rust and is not recommend to be worn in water at all.  
  • White Satin is a unique combination of iron, copper and tin.  This metal is also very lightweight and very strong and durable.  The color can vary from dark silver to light gray to dark gray.  When polished to a high polish it has a silver tone, but is not as bright as silver.  White Satin is protected with a sealant to prevent rust and is not recommend to be worn in water at all.  


What is the difference between fine silver and sterling silver?

  • Fine silver is .999 pure silver.  This silver will not tarnish as quickly, but it is a bit softer than sterling.  
  • The sterling silver I use is .950 sterling, which contains 5% copper and 95% silver.  The copper adds some strength to the silver, but causes it to tarnish more quickly.  
  • I typically recommend fine silver for necklaces and sterling silver for bracelets, rings and keychains.

How long will my order take?
Everlasting Prints (fingerprints, hand prints, footprints, lip prints, etc):  While I do complete most orders more quickly than this, please allow 2-3 weeks after I receive your fingerprint image(s)

    Love Notes (handwriting, artwork, photos, etc):  Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your handwriting image(s)

    Precious Pets:  Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your photos, paw prints, fur, etc.

    Cremation Ashes​:  Most orders are completed within 2-3 weeks after I receive your ashes.
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    How do I obtain the best fingerprints?
    I have found the pencil, paper and tape fingerprint method to be the easiest and most effective way of capturing your prints:

    Once you have your fingerprints, simply send a well photographed photo to info@atimelessimpression.com 

    In most cases, I can use fingerprints taken by funeral homes.  You are welcome to send any fingerprints to me for review prior to placing your order.  

     

    How to Properly Measure My Wrist Size:
    Using a soft tape measure:  Wrap the tape measure around the area of your wrist you would like your bracelet to sit.  The location where of the "0" is your wrist size.  See the arrow in the image below points to 6-3/8".  

    Measuring a wrist with a soft measuring tape

    If you prefer your bracelet more loose, add 1/4" to your measurement.  I will size your bracelet to "fit" your wrist size, your bracelet will not measure the wrist size you provide (i.e., my wrist size is 6-3/8" and my bracelet length is usually 6-1/2 to 6-3/4" depending on the bracelet material).  

    Using a string: If you do not have a soft tape measure, you can use a pice of string or ribbon.  You will wrap the string the same as shown above, then measure from one end of the string to the other.  It is important that the string or ribbon be thin...a thicker material will show a larger size.

    Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need assistance.