Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Wheeler.
Hi Ashleigh, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
Hi there! I’m Ashleigh, a self-taught electroforming artist. I combine crystals and other organic materials to create nature-inspired jewelry. I’ve always been interested in jewelry design and have tried a couple of other techniques, but they didn’t allow me to create the designs I wanted. When I discovered electroforming, I knew that was it for me! After much research, I bought my first set of tools and equipment and haven’t looked back. My goal is to create quality jewelry with some notion that celebrates nature. Each piece is intentionally crafted to show off natural crystals, twigs, and dried flowers. I strive to create pieces that will stand the test of time in both quality and style.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest obstacles for me was myself. When I first started, I felt a lot of imposter syndrome because I lacked formal training. I don’t have any jewelry making or science background, so I felt like a fake trying to combine the two with my jewelry style. This kept me stagnant for a while because I felt like I had a lane I needed to stay in. I’ve never felt particularly creative, so it’s been a journey to get to the point where I can describe my work as art and myself as an artist. Between some amazing fellow local artists and the electroforming artist community, I’ve gained more confidence in my art and myself.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Electroforming is a time-intensive chemical process that can lead to unpredictable results. I use electroforming to create nature-inspired copper jewelry highlighting the beauty of crystals and other organic materials. This means each piece is truly unique and one-of-a-kind! This technique allows me to choose where the copper is deposited so my designs can show off as much of the crystal as possible. I take a lot of inspiration from butterflies and moths and have a permanent collection dedicated to them using paper specimens; these range from minimal designs to show off the natural beauty of the insect to more intricate designs incorporating crystals. These designs are some of my most popular ones and something that people ask about. I love that people are so interested in these designs because they’re some of my favorites to work on. It’s rewarding seeing how much people resonate with my art. I’ve met so many wonderful people because something I created reminded them of a loved one or a good memory. I’ve been able to work on custom pieces for people using components that are important to them. Knowing that something I designed and created from start to finish is bringing someone joy makes my heart full.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Where do I start? We’ve got so much great food, an amazing zoo and museums, and a community that loves to support local businesses, not to mention all the mouthwatering coffee shops around.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SoBelowMinerals.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/SoBelowMinerals
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SoBelowMinerals
