Work by Jonathan Szkotak

Jaysko Studio

Custom resin art made to match your pets markings

my work

The process

1. Get in touchFill out the "Start a Comission" form. Tell me about your pet and what you're picturing. Photos help. There's no cost and no obligation to this part. Or just message me first if you have questions not addressed here. No cost no obligation.2. We talk it throughI'll tell you honestly what's achievable with your pet's coat, recommend a size, and give you a firm quote. If I don't think I can do what you want, I'll say so.3. Agreement and depositI'll send a short agreement and an invoice for half. Nothing starts until both are done.4. You send the materialThen, and only then, I'll send shipping instructions. A teaspoon of ashes or a pinch of fur is enough. I'll photograph what arrives and confirm I have it.5. I make itYours is the only material on my bench. Expect a week or 2. I'll send photos of the finished piece before anything ships.6. Balance and deliveryOnce you've seen it, I'll invoice the remainder and ship, insured and tracked, with any unused material returned in the container you sent it in.

About me

I make resin casts that hold a pet's fur or ashes.The fur isn't scattered through the piece or mixed into the pour. It's placed, arranged inside the mold so the markings land roughly where they did on the animal. A white chest stays a white chest. A split face stays split. I do my best to match real life markings, and that placement is most of the work.I started doing this for myself. When I lost my cat Batson in 2024, I went looking for something to keep and couldn't find it. Most of what's on Etsy wasn't what I had in mind. I found one studio doing close to what I wanted, but they weren't taking orders. So I made it myself. When I lost Nika, my German Shepherd, in 2025, I made one for her too.I'm just a guy who loves his pets like family. Friends and family started asking for their own, and eventually it made sense to open it up to anyone who wants one.Some people think this is weird. To each their own. If you're the kind of person who wants a piece of them close, you already understand it.By training I'm a pharmacist. I've spent most of my career in clinical and managed care work, which is fifteen years in a field where attention to detail is crucial, and where you're regularly working with people who are going through something. None of that qualifies me to make art. But it's why the part of this that involves handling your pet's remains is the part I'm most careful about.I'm not a production shop. Every cast is made individually, by me, at home in the Bay Area. Your pet's material is the only material on my bench while I'm working on your piece. I don't batch commissions and nothing gets combined. I photograph what arrives, keep it labeled and sealed, and return anything I don't use in the same container you sent it in.I only need a small amount. A teaspoon is plenty. Keep the rest. Please don't send me everything.Resin casts are what I specialize in, but they're not the only thing I can do. If you have something else in mind, a touchstone, a pendant, whatever it is, get in touch and I'll tell you honestly whether I can make it.- Jonathan Szkotak

Jonathan Szkotak and Batson
Jonathan Szkotak and Nika
Jonathan Szkotak and Batson

pricing and availability

Most will cost $75. If you want something special I'll give you an estimate. Turn around shouldn't take a long time, but I'll let you know based on your case.

Frequently asked Questions

How much material do you need?
Matters how much you want in there. Several cuttings of each color you want in there. For fur, I think it looks better with more rather than less, but I’ll do what you want. For ashes, same thing. Usually just a teaspoon. For the love of god don’t send me everything you have.How do I send it?
You mail it to me. I'll send instructions once your deposit clears. Sealed bag, padded envelope, tracking not a bad idea. Don't send anything before you hear from me.Which fur should I collect?
Small pinches from each distinctly colored area, kept in separate bags and labeled. A white blaze and a black saddle are two samples, not one.What happens to what you don't use?
It comes back with your piece, in the container you sent it in.How do I know it's my pet's material?
I work on one commission at a time. Yours is the only material on my bench. I photograph what arrives and send you the photo. Nothing is batched or combined.What if a pour fails?
Very rare, but it happens. I'll tell you right away. That's why I ask for a small portion instead of everything. I might make more than one, depending on how the first one turns out. I’ll send you everything I make. No extra charge if I make more than one.Will it look exactly like my pet?
I do my best to match real life markings. It's a likeness, not a replica. I'll tell you upfront what's achievable with your pet's coat.Can you work from photos?
Yes, send several. Different angles, good light, markings visible.What does it cost?
Pieces start at $75, and unless it’s super complicated it’ll probably be just $75. Final price depends on size and complexity. You'll get a firm quote before committing, and the conversation is free.But the people on Etsy do it for like $30!
Then go through them instead. I specialize in matching markings.How long does it take?
About 1-2 weeks from when your material arrives. If I'm backed up, I'll tell you before you send anything.Why can't I just order one online?
Because I want to talk first. Every coat is different, and I'd rather be honest about what I can do than take an order and hope. I’m not a shop. I’m just a guy.Can you do more than one pet in a piece?
Yes. Tell me about both and we'll decide whether it's one piece or two.Human ashes?
Ummm…. I mainly do pets, but message me and we’ll talk.Anything besides casts?
Ask. Touchstones, pendants, other formats. I'll tell you honestly if I can make it.Where are you?
Home studio in the Bay Area, CA. I ship nationwide. I can probably do international too.Is this weird?
Sure, I guess. If you don’t like it don’t get one.Are you really a NY Jets and Sacramento Kings fan?
Yeah, no one knows pain and heartbreak like I do.What is your preferred scotch?
Matters on the mood, but I'm very partial to Talisker, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Oban.