About | Copper Ashes

The founder and artist behind Copper Ashes, Ashley Nolan, wearing a labradorite pendant necklace looking into the camera

Hi, My name is Ashley

I am the owner of Copper Ashes! I am from Greenville, NC and have been making jewelry for over ten years. I picked up my current jewelry making technique in October 2018 and have absolutely loved the creative freedom it gives me. I can make jewelry with something as delicate as a butterfly wing or as strong as a crystal.

Why Copper Ashes?

Why Copper Ashes? I work with copper, and my name is Ashley- so the name kind of fit the business. But there is more to it than that.

I believe that all things come from something as lowly as ash, serve a purpose, and again return to ash. Leaves provide necessary oxygen. Bones and insect wings are a part of the creatures who are essential to the natural food chain. Crystals build up mountains. Shells contribute to the coastal ecosystem. Everything is part of something greater than itself.

All of my jewelry is made with actual gifts from nature or are inspired by them. I simply work with the in-between existence of ash by making it into wearable art. I want my customers to be reminded of the power and beauty of nature as well as their purpose in it.

Vision

"To inspire purpose through nature in the form of wearable art."

So many people feel lost and without a purpose in their existence. Through Copper Ashes, I want to help change that. Every time you wear a piece of my work, I want you to be reminded that you have a purpose and are part of something greater than yourself.

You are beautiful. You are unique. You are important. Live your purpose.

Staying Motivated

My passion for creating is what inspired me to start this business, but my passion for people is what keeps me going. Since starting Copper Ashes, I have had many ups and downs. Small businesses require so much time, focus, energy, inspiration, and drive. Friends and family were skeptical of me being able to sustain myself by selling "rocks and handmade jewelry", but their doubt didn't stop me. I had to keep pushing. I tried new things and made connections with amazing entrepreneurs, models, and artists locally and around the world. Copper Ashes is now my full time job! Small business is not for the faint of heart and you have to be willing to work hard and work past discouragement.

"Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

-Winston Churchill