A Facebook Quote

We Are Ashley Davis Designs


This journey has not been an easy one so far, but it has been nothing short of interesting and informative. I have learned many things along the way, and I am looking forward to everything else that I will learn with time. A major lesson came from what I thought would be an unlikely source.
I was on Facebook one night promoting like I usually do. I joined a "Build Each Other Up" group, and the first thing I saw was a quote someone had posted. It said the following: "If you want to know who your friends are, start a business and ask them to support you."


When I saw that I realized 3 things:

1. Other people had the same thought process as I did.

2. That I need to be extra grateful for the friends who did support me because they are a dime a dozen.

3. Not to let the circumstances get me down.


The truth is people will be people and that's ok. What we need to realize when we make an endeavor like a business is that we are the ones on this journey, not our friends. They are not responsible for our failure or our success. We are. If we fail to promote, then we fail to get business. If we rely on our friends to be our customers and only market to them, we miss out on a world of people that will not only buy our products but will also love our products and be some of our biggest supporters.

Just remember, if few friends or no friends support your business, it's irrelevant. At the end of the day, hard work is what pays off. We will never get anywhere if we become our own pitfalls. So don't give up. Success could be right around the corner!

Chain Chain Chains & Necklaces

We Are Ashley Davis Designs

Initially making necklaces was just like making bracelets.
So I made a few, but I wanted to branch out.
I just didn't know how.
My bestie and I went to JoAnns and saw a few different necklace styles.
She suggested a specific kind which I gave a try.
Once I made the first one, it just came naturally.

I made a variety of long and short necklaces with chain
and received a lot of positive feedback from the people who saw them.
Some people even put in a few custom orders.
I soon realized just how useful chain could be.
It really seemed to add something special the made the necklaces pop.

From there I decided to try using chain in some bracelets.
That also turned out to be pretty successful.
I know that this is what I'm suppose to be doing,
and I thank God for it.
God orders our steps and I know that I wouldn't have given jewelry making a shot if my bestie and I didn't go to the garage sale (in an area I never drive through).

If you have a dream that hasn't before a reality, ask God for help.
It might seem like a trivial thing to ask, but
He cares about our dreams and desires.
So don't give up because your dream could become your reality.

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Next Was Rings

We Are Ashley Davis Designs
I went shopping at Michael's  
and found some ring bands on sale.
They were so reasonably priced
that of course I had to buy them!
I got home and said,
"What in the world am I going to do with these?
I don't know how to make these."
I made a few and eventually took them apart. 

I wasn't too pleased with the results.

After trying every variation 

that I could and eventually found one I liked.

I made about 20 rings

and to my surprise 

I actually sold a few.

I continued to experiment
and to find more jewelry findings.
I had a variety of rings for people who like different styles.
One day when I was looking at jewelry online,
I found out that wire wrapped rings were a thing.
I had no clue that making rings like that required a mandrel.
I tried making them using just my fingers.
That was an epic fail.
I began to use a highlighter
and was finally able to make one.
Yet again, I ended up hooked.
In less than 24 hours, I had made almost 36 rings.

I advertised on Facebook

and received my first order via  Facebook.

That order turned into a few orders.

I purchased a mandrel, made the ordered rings,

and made another 36 rings.

I can't wait to see what rings will be next,

but I'm looking forward to them!

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A Challenge

We Are Ashley Davis Designs

Learning how to make bracelets wasn't enough.
I had to learn something else.
I figured a challenge was best.
So I decided to give earrings a shot.
I went on a mini shopping spree for all things earrings.
I picked up the materials to make dangle, drop,
chandeliers, and stud earrings.
However, I had no idea what I was doing.

I figured out how to assemble drop and dangle earrings, 
but I had no idea how to construct a chandelier.
Once again, I consulted my best friend,
and she came to the rescue.
She is the girlier one out of the two of us.
She explained the general set up,
and I was able to put my first pair together.


The most difficult type of earrings for me to make was the studs.
I researched nonstop for the best way to bind the earrings,
and after a few months I was able to put them together.
The first few fell apart, but with time and knowledge,
I got the hang of it.
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It Started With a Bracelet

We Are Ashley Davis Designs

                                                         

After I created my first bracelet, I was hooked.

I continued making bracelets for a few hours. 

I immediately learned some bracelet musts.

The gauge of the wire used is crucial.

The higher the number, the thinner the wire.

Thin wire works is you want a bracelet to be flexible, 

but you run the risk of it snapping.

Thick wire may not be flexible, but it is definitely sturdy.

Plastic beads are lightweight but are not the best quality.

Glass beads are a nice weight and look good overall.

Glass pearls look nice but scratch easily, 

and ceramic beads also look nice, 

have a great weight, but can crack.

Crimps, clasps, spacers, and charms can 

all be used to make a great bracelet.

There were so many more things that I learned, 

 but the best thing I learned 

was that making jewelry is a major stress relief.

The amount of happiness I feel 

when I've made another piece of jewelry 

is something that cannot be measured.

Moreover, each time I make a sale, 

my happiness increases all the more 

because I'm getting to share a little piece of myself

 and my happiness with someone else.

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We Are Ashley Davis Designs

             
                                                                Ashley Davis Designs



                I heard about Etsy from my best friend. She had ordered things on here and she knew that I dabbled in drawing and painting. She suggested that I create an account since summer had rolled around and I don't get paid over summer vacation, being a teacher. I had always wanted to have my own business, but I wasn't sure that my dream would become a reality. We went to a yard sale and found some jewelry making materials. I had actually picked them up for my bestie. We each made a bracelet.

             
                After making one, I was hooked. I fell in love with the jewelry making process and with being able to express my heart in a different way. My bestie didn't have time to make jewelry so she encouraged me to continue doing it because she saw how happy it made me. Before I knew it, one piece had turned into hundreds of pieces. This journey has been a learning process. Making the perfect piece requires much more than just stringing together some beads. Everything from clasp type to wire size matters.

       
                Much learning comes through trial and error and customer feedback. I don't claim to know it all, but I try to learn something knew each week and continually refine my techniques and my craft. I trust that God placed this passion for jewelry making in my heart, and I trust that He will take me where He intends for me to go in my crafting journey. I hope you will join me for the ride.



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