Stone Creation Studio

Every memorial begins with a conversation.

For Judith’s family, the brief was beautifully simple: a memorial inspired by the timeless proportions of the Commonwealth War Graves, with clean, contemporary lettering that felt understated and elegant.

Hand-carved from Portland stone, every detail was carefully considered. The inscription flows from one edge, over the top and down the opposite side of the stone, encouraging visitors to walk around the memorial and discover more.

On the reverse, I carved a cluster of snowdrops. They weren’t chosen simply because they are beautiful—they were Judith’s favourite flower and reflected her love of nature. The carving on the back of the stone faces the path on which Judith walked to school as a child, creating a quiet, personal detail for family and visitors to discover.

These thoughtful details are what make a memorial truly unique. They tell a story, preserve cherished memories, and create a lasting tribute to the person they honour.

If you’re looking for a bespoke memorial that reflects the life and personality of someone you love, I’d be honoured to help create something timeless, personal and handcrafted to last for generations.

🤍 Handmade in my Cambridgeshire studio using traditional letter carving techniques.

Designing the lettering.

Exploring letterforms to create a clean, modern inscription. 

Carved detail.

Every carving begins as a drawing before being carved by hand, one chisel strike at a time. 

A closer look.

Crisp, hand-carved lettering with subtle shadows that change throughout the day. 

Drawing the snowdrops.

Developing the design for the carving on the reverse of the memorial. 

The finished snowdrops.

Hand-carved on the back of the stone, positioned to be seen from the path where Judith walked to school. 

In situ.

The memorial in its final setting, viewed from the path that inspired the reverse carving. 

Inscription in the sunshine

Light reveals the depth and character of every hand-carved letter.

I recently completed this memorial in Cumbrian green slate.

I was commissioned to create a new piece in keeping with an existing family memorial, echoing its distinctive style. It features some beautiful letterforms that required careful, precise cutting.

The lettering is incised and hand-painted.

"Fiona made a beautifully carved headstone for my husband’s grave. This is situated in a small country cemetery with extensive views all around and even a glimpse of the sea. As a family we all cared deeply for Tony, so we are pleased that he is in this special place with such a lovely, well designed headstone as a memorial." L Clayden - Exeter

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Pictures
- In my workshop
- Fixed in location
- The original family memorial

Shared with permission

I’ve recently completed this custom rustic slate pet memorial 🐾
Hand-carved with formal incised lettering — a timeless, natural tribute to a much-loved companion. Traditional craftsmanship, made to last.

A recent memorial created in collaboration with a family who wanted something timeless and natural.
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We chose Caithness stone for its riven texture and subtle colour variations. Over time, the stone will continue to change through oxidisation — a quiet reminder that memory and nature are always evolving.

Every mark tells a story, carved with care and tradition.
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A Cool Retreat at the National Portrait Gallery.

On a sweltering city day, the National Portrait Gallery was the perfect escape — calm, cool, and quietly captivating. A glorious day, made even better by the gallery’s welcoming sanctuary.

What a fantastic opportunity to develop valuable new skills.

Last few places available for Letter Carving in Wood!

A rare opportunity at City & Guilds of London Art School to attend a new 5 day short course in Lettering in Wood, which they are hosting for the first time ever!

When: 14th-18th July 2025

For more information, please visit: https://www.cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk/lettering-in-wood/

Looking for a truly unique birthday gift?

This charming, rustic stone is the perfect choice, designed to sit gracefully among the flowers. Its weathered appearance blends beautifully with any garden or outdoor space. Ideal for nature lovers or gardeners, it’s a thoughtful way to celebrate special moments while enhancing the natural beauty that surrounds it.

Large St Bees memorial with kerb set.

The family and I worked together to develop ideas ​and select the right material for the memorial. The result is a substantial stone with informal, deeply cut letters and gilded stars.

“Fiona made us feel welcome and instantly understood what we wanted from the stone. She created a beautiful design and kept us updated throughout the process. It was an incredibly hard time for us, and still is, but knowing that Fiona was putting care and artistry into a fitting memorial for Alice was an element of grace. The finished stone is stunning and I can already picture it glowing in the sun every morning.”
C O'Neill

I had the privilege of working closely with the family to bring their vision to life. It was essential to capture Rae’s unique spirit, creating something both personal and elegant. Every detail, from choosing the right material to the final design, was carefully considered to honor Rae’s memory in a way that also reflected the family’s heartfelt wishes. The result is a lasting tribute—one that is as beautiful and meaningful as the person it represents.