Crystal Creek Glass Columbaria

08/19/2026

You can know all the right steps and still miss the point.
In this episode of The Creative Niche, Nathan Carnahan joins us for an honest conversation about understanding the “why” behind our faith and our work.

From AI and technology to calling, discipleship, and recognizing the doors God opens, we talk about what happens when we move beyond simply knowing the process and start understanding its purpose.

Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

What happens when we know all the right steps, but lose sight of wh...

07/29/2026

Every path through a memorial garden tells a story.
Some lead us forward.
Some invite us to slow down.

The Radiant Series was designed with that quiet rhythm in mind, using graceful curves to shape spaces that feel open, inviting, and thoughtfully integrated into their surroundings.

07/22/2026

A new memorial garden often starts with a practical need: more cremation space, room to grow, or an area of the cemetery that could serve families better. But before choosing a columbarium or drawing the first plan, it helps to step back and ask what you want the space to become.

In our latest article, we’re sharing five questions that can help Catholic cemetery leaders think through those early decisions with more clarity and care.

Read: 5 Questions to Ask When Planning Catholic Memorial Gardens

https://crystalcreekglass.com/2026/07/22/planning-catholic-memorial-gardens/

07/08/2026

Most businesses don’t make it to the fourth generation. So what makes one last?

This week on The Creative Niche, Mike Bendele of Ottoville Hardware & Furniture shares lessons from more than 90 years of family business, from working alongside his brothers to preparing the next generation to carry it forward.

Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations?...

06/24/2026

Families are often drawn to places that reflect the faith, devotions, and traditions that have shaped their lives. Sacred art is not merely decorative. It can foster reflection, encourage prayer, and create a deeper connection between visitors and the spaces they return to.

In our latest blog, we explore the role of sacred art in Catholic cemetery design and what one simple remark revealed about the power of thoughtful memorialization.

https://crystalcreekglass.com/2026/06/24/art-in-catholic-cemetery-design/

06/03/2026

Beyond the sale, the real fulfillment comes from exceeding expectations. Hear how a client's "thank you" makes all the difference.

Catch the full episode of The Creative Niche Podcast.

🎙️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/28QLznI4PJ8?si=VPZOuI74HpUd0YE9

06/03/2026

Some of the best business advice in this episode has nothing to do with insurance. It’s about relationships, trust, work ethic, community, and serving people well.

This week on The Creative Niche, Adam Anspach shares lessons learned from growing a business, working with family, and investing in the place he calls home.

Listen on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

What happens when you build a business around relationships instead...

04/14/2026

“I want to be next to Mary.”

Our installers hadn’t even placed the final pieces of the columbarium when it caught the attention of a woman passing by.

She had come to visit someone else. But something in the space made her stop.

Newly installed art glass now fills Christ the King Mausoleum at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside IL with scenes of Jesus, the Holy Mother, Joseph, Paul, and the Gospel writers. Light moves through each panel, highlighting the shifting colors and bringing the imagery to life in a way that feels personal. Scripture is woven throughout the space, grounding it with a quiet sense of reverence.

She didn’t wait. She went straight to the office and reserved her space that same day.

That’s what happens when a place doesn’t just exist… but invites belonging.

Because the spaces we create should do more than hold memory.

They should draw people back.

04/08/2026

There’s a moment when you can see what a space could become…but you’re not quite sure how to bring it together.

That’s where thoughtful planning makes all the difference.

Here's how memorial gardens move from open land to places families return to again and again.

Learn how memorial garden design helps cemeteries create spaces that draw visitors in, improve land use, and support long-term planning.

04/05/2026