Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Skinner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my business, Evergreen Studio by Ash, about two years ago after getting my Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts at Oglethorpe University. I began by selling earrings, but I quickly expanded my business to sell ceramic works. I work out of my home studio in Dahlonega, GA.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
There were many struggles along the way. I quickly needed my own equipment, including a kiln. I began with a very old kiln, which had to have the elements replaced, and it ended up melting all the shelves and pieces inside of it due to a small malfunction. I had to save money from each market until I had enough for a new kiln. I am also a postgraduate student, and I have had to juggle school alongside running my business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I hand-build all my ceramic pieces. I do not even own a wheel! I hope for my pieces to all be one of a kind and to all have small imperfections and differences. In terms of my mugs, I have two styles: wonky mugs and darted mugs. I like to make pieces that make people smile, and I try to do this by incorporating bright colors and designs into my pieces! My pieces usually include hand-painted florals, fruits, and more.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My whole life I have been an artist. When I was in Elementary School, I was diagnosed with dyslexia, and because of this, I had an IEP that kept me from taking language courses with everyone else. I received extra help outside of class, and while my classmates were in language courses, I got to take a second art course. I believe creativity was something that I was created with and to have and that I can relate to my Creator through it. It is a spiritual exercise for me each time I make a new piece, acknowledging that I was created and now I create.
Contact Info:
- Website: evergreenstudiobyash.company.site
- Instagram: @evergreenstudiobyash
