Meet Ashley Jay | Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist

Ashley Jay artist behind Jay Bird Studio

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always wanted to work for myself. I never liked the idea of being beholden to a company or of being expendable. Not that that’s always the case but those were my specific fears. I also wanted to love what I do and I figured if I worked for myself ideally it wouldn’t feel like a job all of the time. The idea of schedule flexibility and the freedom to work from wherever I am was also high on my list. I started this soloprenuer journey first as a massage therapist but ironically I never stayed anywhere long enough to build up a loyal clientele base. However, in the midst of my journey as an LMT I followed my heart and got a degree in Metalsmithing and jewelry design. Before I graduated I started working with Jared’s as a bench jeweler and realized that my designs were more unique and I could charge decent prices for the skills I had acquired. So after putting some time in at Jareds I decided to jump into the world of independent jewelers and see how it would go. Now it took almost a decade of starting, re-starting, re-branding and the creation of many new lines and numerous pricing re-structures for me to get to where I am today, and believe me, I still have a lot to learn. Having your own small business isn’t for the feint of heart and it has taught me the benefits and sense of security one gets when working for others. I wouldn’t change my path or what I have been through but I am glad I have a better understanding of both worlds.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make art jewelry in small batches and one of a kind pieces. My preferred metal to work with is sterling silver. I am obsessed with colors, light and the interplay of the two. When it comes to my work I do my best to combine those two properties into interesting, playful pieces that haven’t been seen before. I strongly want to stand alone as an independent designer whose work doesn’t resemble anyone else’s. Such a tall order, right? There is such a long, rich history when it comes to humans and adornment so it can be quite challenging to be innovative. I really relish the challenge of making something new and unexpected. Exploring the multitude of ways of creating jewelry that is fun to wear, adds elements of delight and power to someones person and hopefully becomes a meaningful piece of their collection brings me such joy. I’m not looking to add more stuff to our already stuff-burdened planet. This is why I really strive to make each piece something unique and tantalizing, I want my art jewelry to be worth it to both make and purchase.

I get very excited by the act of creation, there is nothing like when an idea strikes! I become hyper focused, I can’t think of anything else and have to rush to record it or lay it out in actual components. Normally my brain spins the original design into many different ideations and color ways. It is pretty common for me to make the new design as soon as possible, and I have learned to make multiples of each design so I have extras to play with. Making extra’s allows me to experiment and find the most expedient and efficient way to make the jewelry. It also allows me to wear the jewelry and make sure it is easy to wear, sits well on the body and is also durable.

I still get excited by every sale I make. My business is small so every purchase really makes a huge difference. Like a lot of people out there I find I sometimes exist in the imposter syndrome headspace. Dealing with imposter syndrome and marketing & growing my business are the biggest challenges I face right now. Growing a small business on your own is extremely challenging. There is so much work that goes into starting a small art business. I have had to learn how to wear all of the small business hats and in my case that includes the creation of every design and piece. Because at Jay Bird Studio I make everything by hand. I have such a deep passion and respect for good craftsmanship and the ability to make something completely with ones own hands. I take pride in making each piece – it is a very enjoyable, engaging and emotionally fulfilling aspect of making art jewelry. I feel it also deepens the human connection and experience between maker and wearer.

I do my best to overcome every obstacle like one eats an elephant, one bite at a time.

I’ve been dabbling with jewelry all of my life. I made my first necklace on a rainy day with my siblings when I was around 6. My mother took us to the local bead and mineral store and we each came back with just enough to make one piece. I fell in love with the process and materials and would continue to make jewelry for myself to mark special occasions. I got more serious when I was in Portland, Or and started an Etsy shop. I fell completely in love and eventually decided to get a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry back home at the University of North Texas. Since graduating in 2013 I have had the pleasure of working with many different jewelry companies including name brand stores and independent artists and designers. I was lucky enough to land a job as Nancy Worden’s studio assistant up in Seattle, WA which was a priceless experience. She taught me a lot of aspects of the art world, jewelry production and she helped me to believe in myself and fight for what I want.

Color and light always put me in a silent, spell cast state. I am always so physically and emotionally entranced by these two. I find it very moving. This is my everyday – I am always searching and keeping a keen eye out for beauty via color and light (which is honestly everything that is visual). It’s funny, because really color and light are the same thing – but to define them in terms of true science they are “electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye” but that’s a bit too clinical for me.

When it comes to art I am honestly striving to make work that gives me the same emotions and moments of pause and enchantment and I hope that the wearer and/or giver also feels the same or something akin to those feelings. Plus I love the medium of jewelry because it is small, light weight, mobile, wearable and absolutely regarded as something precious. Due to this love of being enchanted I am very into fantasy and science fiction. This is where my love of iridescence and sparkle come in – If I play with all of these aspects interchangeably I can really come up with etherial, magical, space inspired, and faery like jewelry. What really defines what’s happening with the piece – which direction it’s headed in is the structure of the piece, or the Metalsmithing. For my first line, Color Droplets, I started with the circle, an extremely common and versatile shape which lends itself to more classic design structures. From there I have started to spin off and get more creative. I hope in future to make more fantasy and sci fi inspired jewelry. But for now, at the beginning of this launch of Jay Bird Studio I want to appeal to a wider audience to help build my clientele and provide me a livelihood so that I can do this full time and eventually make fantastical and unique pieces of art jewelry in all shapes and sizes and for all bodies.

I want you to know that my jewelry is extremely light weight, durable, easy to wear and it is truly made with heart and precision. I make every piece by hand, from raw materials using processes I have learned, researched, or developed over the past decade. Each piece also gets a special uv resistant top coat which prevents yellowing. I hope my jewelry inspires you and those around you, offers some happiness and moments of pause in which you can find some beauty and enchantment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have played host to many friends and family members that have come to Denver. Since we live close to Littleton I always take them downtown to walk the cute Main Street and grab some food and drinks at Palenque. Of course we take our visitors on excursions to the mountains, Salida, Crested Butte, Dillon, and Breckenridge are always a lot of fun. You can never go wrong with a visit to Red Rocks, Denver Botanic Gardens, or the Molly Brown House. For our more adventurous visitors a trip to Meow Wolf and the Church of Cannabis is always a great time. When it comes to food and drink we love taking guests to Manna Bakery & Deli, Bacon Social House, City O City, Union Lodge No.1 and Union Station but there is so much good food and drink here you really can’t go wrong.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would’t be where I am without the support of my awesome husband, Kenneth Loshelder!! I also need to shout out to my Mom, Susan Jay, she taught me how to make jewelry a long time ago and she helped me find my calling that rainy afternoon in Dallas, Texas.

Website: www.jaybirdstudio.com

Instagram: @jaybird_studio

Facebook: Jay Bird Studio

Image Credits
Celebrate Again for all model shots and my head shot. Ashley Jay for all process and jewelry photos.