Ashley May Heitzman
Ashley is drawn to texture and pattern both in nature and in her urban surroundings. Each piece of jewelry in her collection starts with a sketch and evolves as the process grabs hold. Working with a range of precious metals; including copper, silver, brass and gold, can be at times challenging as each metal brings its own set of limitations. Still, Ashley finds beauty in mixing and layering the different metals. She showcases their strengths by exploring the different techniques each alloy allows.
Ashley’s work is inspired by nature, history and the materials she uses. Her process begins with patterns, that she designs, then etches into the metal. While the fabrication process requires precision, Ashley enjoys the spontaneity of mixing the metals with their varied surfaces to produce her own original designs. Her studio is located within Civilian Studios, an artist workspace Ashley co-founded. They are not typically open to the public, however Ashley is available by appointment.