Meet Ashley Blevins | Seamstress, Craft Smasher & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Blevins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Sewing and creating handmade crafts have been life-long passions of mine. I started receiving requests from friends and family for custom items in college, and the idea of “Smash-a-Craft” was born. After working in Colorado’s nonprofit sector for 10 years, I dreamed of the idea of owning my own business. In the fall of 2022, I launched my Etsy page. Success in online sales led me to venture into pursuing my own small handmade business full-time as an LLC in 2023. I was very inspired by my mother, an Interior Designer, and my grandmother, an Architect, who were able to turn their artistic passions and talents into professional careers.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Smash-a-Craft is all about unique, high-quality crafty treasures to delight and inspire. My handmade creations include sewn items, such as bags, clothes, and decor. While I create many items from scratch, many of my products are also “upcycled”, where I search for thrifted treasures like clothing, and then alter or embellish them to make something fresh. Eco-consciousness is a top value for Smash-a-Craft, so many of my items integrate reused or upcycled materials. I also make and sell unique handmade cards which feature sewing on paper, and paintings on wood, canvas or other materials. One of my most successful products this last holiday season was my hand-painted wood ornaments.

My style is bohemian and whimsical, with inspiration from nature, music, and life in Colorado. I love to create one-of-a-kind items to delight my customers. I am most proud of the quality and uniqueness of my crafty creations. As I continue to create new products, I surprise myself with how I’ve grown and improved in my skills. I am also proud of my ability to take a customer’s idea and turn it into reality with custom orders.

The journey to where I am today professionally has had many ups and downs, but it has all culminated to provide me the skills and experience needed to start my own LLC in 2023. The idea of “Smash-a-Craft” was born after my moms gifted me my first sewing machine in college. Not long after I first learned how to thread a bobbin, I quickly started creating bags and costumes with my own original patterns. My friends and family noticed my talents and I started receiving requests for custom items. Over the years I developed my skills and dreamed of one day turning my hobby into a career.

One of my biggest challenges on this journey has been maintaining self-confidence. With each creation I am sharing a piece of my heart with the world, which can sometimes feel vulnerable or intimidating. The outpour of love, support and encouragement from my customers and those I love have given me those boosts when I need it, but really this journey is about self-love and believing that I have what it takes to accomplish my goals.

Another challenge has been developing my business skills. Sewing and creating art are lifelong skills I’ve developed, but the business skills like marketing, taxes, and budgeting are newer to me. I’ve learned that I am capable of venturing outside my comfort zone to succeed in the multifaceted aspects of being a business owner. Another important lesson for business owners in the craft and art world is creating multiple income streams. Currently I fulfill orders via my online Etsy shop, custom order requests and via vending at local craft fairs. In the future I hope to have my Smash-a-Craft items in a retail store, publish a craft book, provide sewing and art classes, and create online “Craft Smasher” tutorials for YouTube.

I am proud of where I am today; often the hardest part is taking that leap to start! It also fills me with joy and exhilaration to think of what Smash-a-Craft can become in the future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Colorado has so much to offer for locals and visitors alike! I love taking my out-of-town guests to beloved nature parks such as Garden of the Gods in Manitou Springs, Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Alamosa. As an avid music lover, we definitely make a stop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater for a concert, hike and/or tour of the Hall of Fame. We will also spend our afternoons enjoying towns like Golden and Morrison for lunch and local shopping. In Morrison I love to enjoy a drink and bite to eat at the Rooftop Tavern, followed by shopping at the Morrison Mercantile and Sundance Sensations. We will also definitely enjoy a night-on-the-town in Denver, perhaps a show at the Mission Ballroom and brunch the next morning at The Hornet. I love being a Coloradan and showing my visiting friends and family the abundance of adventure and experiences available in our beautiful state.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The story of Smash-a-Craft couldn’t be possible without the love and support of my community: my partner, friends and family. Whether it’s visiting my booth at craft fairs, sharing my social media posts, inspiring me with ideas for new creations, placing custom orders, or providing encouragement and feedback, they are always there to support me and motivate me to achieve my next goal. Starting a business is an exciting–but admittedly terrifying–leap into the unknown. In those moments where I may doubt myself or wonder if I can truly make it successful, my partner, friends and family are there to believe in me and encourage me to have the confidence to make my dreams come true.

Website: smashacraft.etsy.com

Instagram: instagram.com/smash.a.craft

Facebook: facebook.com/smashacraftcolorado

Image Credits
Ashley Blevins