Hey there! I'm Ashley, the creative force behind Dawn Jewelry, nestled in the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge in Hood River, Oregon. Dawn Jewelry came to life in 2020, shortly after I graduated from Art School in Portland, Oregon. My metalsmithing journey began when I took my first classes in Community College at the age of 20. From those early beginnings, I was hooked and continued pursing education in Metals. My first jewelry professor changed my life and led me to apply to Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland. This is where I honed my skills until its closure in 2019, just as I was completing my thesis. Undeterred, I went on to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, proudly graduating with the last class from OCAC.

I spent my childhood amidst the majestic redwoods in Santa Cruz, California, finding solace and inspiration in the tranquil forest. It's no wonder that Oregon's beauty called to me, and Hood River instantly felt like home, with its echoes of my small surfer town roots.

At Dawn Jewelry, I’m always experimenting with a myriad of techniques and materials to create unique one-of-a-kind adornments. My way of working inspired the name "Dawn" for my business. Each day brings new possibilities, mirroring the ever-changing beauty of a new dawn—fittingly, it's also my middle name! Every piece completed inspires the evolution of my work. I’m constantly inspired by the beautiful flora and fauna that surrounds me in the Columbia River Gorge! Drawing from nature's clean lines, pigments, and textures, I infuse my work with a blend of rustic patinas and polished metal. I also grew up frequenting antique shops and have a deep love for old things. I would say my work evokes a modern vintage aesthetic that is timeless!

I meticulously handcraft each piece, using primarily sterling silver, gold fill, bronze, brass, and semiprecious gemstones. Every element of my jewelry, whether hand-fabricated or cast, bears the imprint of my perfectionism in craftsmanship. With any cast work, I do sculpt each piece in wax before casting using direct cast methods like sand or cuttlebone, ensuring that every creation is unique and one of a kind. Every gemstones is chosen by hand to evoke a color palette or imagery that has inspired me from nature, adding color to my designs with their captivating inclusions.

Thank you for joining me on this creative journey! Your presence here means the world.