Meet Grace Ashford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Ashford.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a household without electricity in rural Washington. As the daughter of a potter and a textile artist, we lived and breathed art in our little yurt. This background left me with an incurable desire to design and create.

I spent hours working in my dad’s pottery shop and always felt the most comfortable with clay, but my mom’s eye for color and texture broadened my creative interests. Still, it took time for me to find my place. I grew up, spent a decade in Europe, started a family, and returned to the United States before I found the medium that suited my personality: metal.

And even that was an evolution. I began experimenting with simple jewelry designs utilizing gems and beads. Eventually, my work shifted to include more intricate metalwork including hammering, piercing, and riveting silver, copper, brass, and bronze. Arizona’s rugged beauty, my children’s love of life and insatiable curiosity, and my own cultural experiences shape every piece I make.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My career path has been anything but a smooth road. After over a decade in Europe and a seven-year custody battle, finding my voice and in turn, learning to express it through metal has been a long process.

My notebooks are filled with sketches of midnight inspirations, and I gather new ideas to incorporate into my jewelry pieces from the natural. My life is busy, but I make my career a priority. I am always moving forward, and if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s overcoming adversity.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Grace Ashford Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in mixed-metal jewelry using cold (riveted) connections. I place a lot of importance on the feel of the pieces that I create from a design standpoint to the way that the jewelry feels when worn.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I had the good fortune of establishing an amazing relationship with the owners of a local gallery (Newman Gallery). Their support has given me the confidence to branch out and take on new challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: graceashford.com
• Phone: 9282779901
• Email: gmashford@gmail.com
• Instagram: grace.ashford
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grace.ashford.designs/

Image Credit:
Grace Ashford

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