AN artist who suspends cremated ash in hand-blown glass to give the bereaved a unique keepsake of their loved ones has secured a grant to help make his pieces even more personal.

Clovenfords-based Kenny Scott began making the remembrance jewellery in 2013 after a local funeral director approached him with the idea.

Since then his business, Ash Glass Design, has helped create hundreds of unique items for customers based throughout the UK who are looking to keep a small part of their loved one close to them after they’ve gone.

Now, thanks to Business Gateway Scottish Borders, he has secured a Scottish Borders Business Fund grant to purchase a machine that will allow him to engrave messages of love on the cherished keepsakes.

“More and more people were asking if I could engrave special messages onto their jewellery but the machines are costly,” explained Kenny.

“In the past I’d secured funding with Business Gateway’s help to buy a sand engraver so went back to them to see if there was funding available that could help me this time round. I applied and was successful.

“What I do isn’t for everyone, but when you have the honour of creating something so personal and meaningful for people at such a sad time, I feel it is a very worthwhile service. I work with funeral directors throughout the country and I also do a lot of work for people who have been in touch with SiMBA, the charity that support parents who have lost a baby.”

Having left school at 16 determined to become a glass blower, Kenny knocked on the door of Selkirk Glass and asked for an apprenticeship. On completing the five year course, he spent another 10 years working his way up the ladder to become production manager with the company.

After diversifying into ash glass, the popularity of his pieces grew and, in 2014, he launched a dedicated website – ashglassdesign.co.uk – to showcase his work. With orders coming in from all over the UK, Kenny needed more space to work and last year invested in a purpose-built studio in his garden.

“Although I still produce work for retail outlets, 80 per cent of my time is spent making ash glass,” said Kenny.

“I love how creative you can be with glass. When it is hot you have no idea exactly what colour it will be until you open the kiln door. Taking a product and being able to turn it into art is something I am very proud of.”

For details on the funds, go to bgateway.com/scottishborders or call 01835 818315.