About Us – Karin Sprague Stone Carvers

About Us

Our Studio

After the sudden death of Karin’s beloved Father-in-Law in 1996, she was led to carve his gravestone. Before its completion, the project was featured in a local paper and four commissions followed. What began as an act of love became a life’s work. 30 years later, with a team of talented artisans, we continue to design, carve, and install memorials for families across the US.

Our studio is a renovated barn in Scituate, Rhode Island. Downstairs, a wood-fired stove and the sound of steady chipping of chisels on stone. This is where the memorials are made. Upstairs, a quiet room with two rocking chairs, a couch, and a wall of small windows facing the forest. This is where the stories of loved-ones-past are told and our designs are developed.

OUR TEAM

Designers and Project Managers: Karin Sprague, Kristin Sprague
Carvers: Rob Gil, Christine Dunn, Michael Brahce
Office Manager: Kathy Bruneau

Our Process

We approach each design the same way. By listening first.

The memorials we create all begin with an unhurried conversation, because the details that make a life unique are the same details that make a monument meaningful.

Step 1: Phone Consultation

Every memorial begins with a phone conversation. We take time to understand your needs, answer your questions, and listen to see if we are a match to create a monument for you or your loved one. There's no pressure, no rush, just listening.

Step 2: Meeting

We invite you and your family to our studio to see work that is underway, look at different materials and learn more about the person or people we will be honoring.

Step 3: Design

After our meeting, we sit down and create a scale drawing. We then send you this design along with a detailed price quote. We will work with you on any changes that need to be made until we have a design that feels right.

Step 4: Carving

Once the design is approved, the material for your project is ordered and when it is received carving can begin. Most of our pieces are carved entirely by hand. Our team of carvers works with mallets and chisels to bring your design to life.

Step 5: Installation

We will work with you and/or the cemetery to make sure your monument is installed safely and beautifully in its final location.

Testimonials

In their own words.

We are honored to be trusted with some of the most meaningful moments in people's lives. Here is what a few of our clients have shared.

Dear Karin,
From the first conversation, the delicious meal with you in your wonderful home, our meeting in your studio, and all the subsequent meetings and conversations, we knew that you would be the artist who will tell our story to the world. Your sensitivity, creativity and simple, yet thoughtfully detailed execution of our monument have far exceeded our hopes and expectations.
~All our love, always, Bob & Clay

Dear Karin,
What a long journey our family has taken with you! We all love the stone and we are grateful for the open, honest, flexible, creative, and intelligent approach that resulted in your beautiful work. The stone is beautiful, wonderfully understated, and deeply satisfying to sit in front of and engage in reflection. We all agree that Liora would be pleased.

Many, many thanks for your experience, help, and guidance along the way.
~David

Words cannot describe the depth of my appreciation for the efforts of you and your team. There is now an element of joy associated with Barbara's passing. Her aesthetic has been captured and preserved in the most beautiful way. Peace has entered my life equation, thanks to you!
~Forever grateful and with love, Steven E.

Karin,
thanks for your wonderful presentation to my class on Mercy. You provided us with some great ideas for reflection and discussion. I continue to appreciate the beauty of your craft and life and the gentleness of the spirit that flows through you..
~Peace, Jayme

I wanted to write to you on fabulous stationery. I wanted to write poetic words of thanks, but none come because words cannot express the perfection you created. Words cannot express the perfect journey you led me on or through. Words cannot express that my soul is a little less heavy, a little bit freer. Heartfelt thanks & gratitude and I look forward to a long friendship.
~Jackie

Dear Karin,
It is truly elegant in its simplicity, as you had predicted it would be. And your installation was nothing less than masterful! I particularly appreciate the care you took in leaving the site looking so undisturbed and in surrounding the base of the stones with the little ferns and moss. This extra touch makes the stone look like it's been there for years.
~Jolle

My mom cried when she saw the headstone, she thought it was so beautiful. Thank you for everything.
~Andrea

Let me just say that I feel so fortunate that together we were able to create a loving memorial that honors Wylie. It speaks of him, his strength, wisdom, beauty, and the power of our love. Thank you, Karin. We are so grateful. You are so very gifted, Karin, and as I trace my fingertips over your carved letters, Wylie's symbols, the feather, I feel strength, love, and I gather energy. Carpe Diem, my friend.
~Steph Strotbeck

FAQs

How long does a monument take to create?

From the time a scale drawing is approved to the monument installation, we typically give a 1 year turnaround time. This depends on the material, detail of carving as well as the time of the year the monument is completed.

What types of material do you work in?

We work in a wide variety of materials. Past projects have used Slate, Granite, Limestone and Marble. We have also used glass in some of our projects. We will work with you to determine which material is appropriate for your project.

How much does a typical project cost?

All of our projects are made specifically for the person(s) we are remembering, therefore we are not able to provide an exact quote without a scale drawing. It is important that we understand your budget during our initial meeting so that we can create a beautiful design that falls within your price range.
Most of our current projects fall within the range of $10k to $60k

Do you take work from outside of New England?

We have worked with families across the country. For locations over 10 hours driving distance, we typically crate & ship our monuments directly to the cemetery for installation.

What happens if you make a mistake?

We aim to make all of our mistakes on paper. Before anything is carved, we check again with you to ensure all information and spelling is correct. Our carvers work is slow and steady, ensuring each cut is precise. On the rare occasion that a mistake is made, we use a variety of tools to rub out errant cuts or nicks.

How long will my monument last?

We work to source the highest quality materials for all of our monuments. All types of material will eventually age and change as they are exposed to the elements; lichen will grow, and birds will make their visits known. But with minimal cleaning and attention, your monument will stand and be read for many generations to come.

Who installs your monuments?

Every cemetery and location is different. Typically we will work with a local contractor or monument shop to ensure your monument is installed safely. Depending on the size of the project, we will sometimes complete the install with just our small team, or we will hire a crane. Some cemeteries also do all of their own installations in-house.
We will typically only do installations beginning mid May through the end of October (weather depending).

Karin Sprague Stone Carvers

Karin Sprague Stone Carvers is a small studio nestled in the woods of Northern Rhode Island.

Our team of expert artisans design and hand carve memorials for families across the United States, fostering shared healing through the art of remembering.

Email: karin@karinsprague.com

Phone:
(401) 934-3105 (landline)

Address

Meetings are by Appointment Only

904 Tourtellot Hill Road
North Scituate, RI 02857

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