BABE #348: ASH CRANGLE - Silversmith, Silver Ashes Jewelry
In 2014, Ash made her first sterling silver ring with nothing but a curious mind, a youtube tutorial and a torch in New Orleans, Louisiana. What started as a fun craft quickly grew into a passion—and more than that, a trade. In May of 2019, Ash took the leap, turning her then-side hustle into her full-time gig. Today, she’s the sole owner and silversmith of Silver Ashes Jewelry in Denver, CO, where she creates unique, dynamic Southwestern-style jewelry made with intricate detail and a whole lot of love.
The Basics:
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Current city: Denver, Colorado
Alma mater: Niagara County Community College
Degree: A.A.
Very first job: Jon’s Pizza
Hustle: Silversmith, Silver Ashes Jewelry
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
This is easy: my sister, Brittany. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31, she was scared but brave. As a mother with two young kids, she needed to put a smile on her face and keep a positive outlook for her girls. She is now cancer-free and has a beautiful new outlook on life. She went in a fighter and came out a warrior.
How do you spend your free time?
I love getting out into nature; anytime I’m not completing orders you can find me hiking new trails or checking out a nearby hot spring. Being in a small studio all day, I need to make time to get outside. Fresh air cures it all.
Go-to coffee order and/or adult beverage?
When it comes to coffee, I’m super simple: vanilla latte. My go-to drink is aperol spritz.
What would you eat for your very last meal?
A charcuterie board. Give me all the meats and cheeses.
What’s something most don’t know about you?
I have a star-shaped freckle on my back.
What’s your favorite piece of jewelry you own?
Don’t make me pick just one! I rarely get to make pieces for myself, but If I had to choose, I would say my 14k gold and sterling silver Australian yellow opal ring. I am all about mixed metals lately and opals are the icing on the cake.
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle.
I’m the sole owner and silversmith behind Silver Ashes Jewelry in Denver, CO. As a one-woman show, I often feel like I’m running around in circles. At times it can be a little overwhelming. I’ve basically become a master multitasker. A single day can (and often does) include: creating marketing material, emailing clients, updating social media, photography, accounting, placing orders, not to mention the silversmithing itself or the 12-week-old black lab puppy running around the house. A lot of my work is custom, so I work with the client one-on-one to help them envision a look they would like. Then, I get to creating!
Walk us through your typical day.
Working from home means you have to discipline yourself; it’s all about routine, for me. I get up and head into the gym early enough so that I can get into the studio by 9:00 a.m. To me, having that routine helps me reach the goals I want. I get straight into replying to emails and messages with breakfast, then right into where I left off the night before making jewelry.
Have you always had a passion for art?
I majored in fine arts, so I always knew I wanted a career in the arts, but never really knew where my passion lay. From graphic design to ceramics, nothing quite grabbed me. Desperate for a change, I packed up and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. A city filled with creativity, so much that it inspired me to find my calling. I started off making simple pieces with wire wrapping and metals I could afford. After watching endless YouTube videos and with a torch in hand, I made my first sterling silver ring. I was hooked! I realized I was able to create something beautiful from scratch, and something you could wear for a lifetime. Sign me up! After living in New Orleans for three years, I decided to take yet another leap and move to Denver, Colorado, where I headed to the mountains, leaving the swamps behind. Living in Denver, I was able to take up metalsmith classes, which has helped me become the silversmith I am today. I have now been a full-time business owner since May of 2019—and, man, has it been a journey.
How did Silver Ashes come to be?
One of the biggest decisions I had to make was leaving my second job, which was a main source of income. I took the leap and quit, making Silver Ashes my priority. I had no idea what would come next. I asked myself: Is this OK? Am I making the right decision? The job was really just a comfort zone, a steady paycheck in case I was having a bad week with sales. What I realized was, the job was holding me back, taking time and energy away from what I loved doing. I no longer wanted to work for “the man.” I wanted to work for the woman, the woman being myself! Quitting was a big step, but as a result I grew as a person and I was able to work hard enough to let my business flourish. My work has given me the opportunity to be my own boss, I mean, that’s the dream, isn’t it? I deserved more; I wanted to choose the hours I work and run a business the way I wanted. I was able to choose my own salary, all while doing what I was passionate about. I may not be making the crazy money I would get working a big corporate job, but I can take personal days and I can take as many vacation days I want. I am the happiest I’ve ever been. To me, that makes this dream all worth it.
How has being a woman affected your professional experience?
All I can say is that if you can dream it, you can do it. Women can work just as hard as men can, and I am proof of that. Starting with nothing but a torch and a dream, it’s possible.
Is there anything you’ve learned through others in your industry that has influenced your own process?
Be kind. We all start from somewhere.
How have you leveraged social media to grow the business?
My business wouldn't be here without social media. It’s a free platform. I’ve teamed up with other local small businesses to create giveaways as a thank-you to our followers and clients, which in turn helps each of us get our names out there, and seen by more and more folks. You have to have a balance when it comes to posting. I need to engage my customers, but also work. A lot of my clients love seeing my progress when I’m working, so I’ll squeeze in some posts of that during the day to keep people engaged.
Any advice for fellow babes at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey?
Remember to work hard and stay focused. There will be good days and bad; try to always take the bad as a learning experience that will take guesswork out of the situation the next time. Set yourself goals, and don’t compare your journey with anyone else's. This is your baby, your dream. Don’t let fear or comparison ruin that for you. We all grow at our own pace.
Who are some women in your field you look to for inspiration?
There are so many women to name here. When I was first starting out, being able to reach out to other silversmiths for tips about tools, tricks, and classes was so nice. There are lots of new things to learn in this field, and one is the lost wax-casting process. There is one girl in particular, Bailey who owns @meltedmetalco. Her work is beautiful. I reached out about her process, the tools—I asked so many questions. She inspired me to dive into casting classes, and I finally have my own equipment. Her kindness and responses were so helpful, and now I’m so excited to start making my own casted creations.
Career and/or life advice for other babes?
Work hard and don’t give up. There will be bad days with tears, but with every bad day comes a good one. You need to keep a positive attitude, or you'll bring that energy into your business. Put out into the universe what you want to receive.
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