Get To Know: Julie Ashton of StringofBlue
Let me introduce you to yet another wonderful sponsor and jewelry designer…
Meet Julie Ashton of StringofBlue:
Name: Julie Ashton
Business Name: StringofBlue
Where are you located?
The drought stricken state of Georgia, near Athens
What is it that you design and create?
I design and create a line of Modern Silver Jewelry that is all handmade by me in my studio.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
My favorite part is that “ah ha†moment…when you just sense that a design has all of the elements to make it work.
How did you come up with your business name?
Boy, that was really a struggle for me. I’m not sure…I don’t really like my given name especially because I share it with a famous porn star and I thought about what it might be like for a potential customer to google my name and the results might scare them off. So I wanted a name that was kind of evocative… a String of Blue just popped into my head, it had a “certain something†so I just went with it.
Where/How did this all begin?
Well, when I was a wee little one (okay not that little) lets say, pre-teen, at the hardware store that my Dad always dragged me to on the weekends, I would peruse the washers and ball chain and started making necklaces for me and my sister. Years later, desperate to adorn myself yet with little financial resources, I started to make my own jewelry.
Who or what inspires you?
I am infinitely inspired by strong, creative, stylish women. I’m continually inspired by the vast and amazing details that make up our Natural world. Lastly, I am inspired by and confused by, individuals that never give up, despite the odds.
What advice would you give other independent artists who are just starting out?
Start small, stay true to your vision, keep your ego in check and keep forging forward. Its amazing how things will start to fall into place.
What is your favorite indie purchase or trade?
I am always amazed by how many unique artists there are at Etsy, I have a long list of folks that I want to purchase from but right now, at the top of my list is Elsita ( Elsa Mora). I have a necklace I bought from Sharon of Nectar Jewelry that I’m really in love with at the moment.
What’s on your iPod/music player right now?
Just about everything, I have varied taste buds as far as music goes…lately its anything from Boards of Canada to Pacha Massive to Joseph Arthur…
What t.v. shows are you currently hooked on?
Oh man, I love good TV! Colbert Report, No Reservations (Anthony Bourdains show), The Office, House MD…and too many others
What was the last movie you watched?
Blades of Glory… which I enjoyed thoroughly
What’s your favorite food?
Um…I don’t think I can nail that one down. Okay, maybe Sushi.
What’s your favorite candy?
A good, high quality chocolate bar always hits the spot.
Coffee or Tea?
I go through different phases with that…right now its coffee, but I love Chai.
What store could you walk around in for hours and be happy?
Oh man, these are hard questions!…probably Powells Books in Portland…three city blocks worth of books. If you ever have the chance I highly recommend it.
Any pets?
No, I had a cat pass away recently and it broke my heart.
Favorite place to visit or place you’d like to visit?
I grew up in California and I miss it tons…the northern coast especially. I would like to visit the California Coast back in time, before it became so overpopulated.
Any celebrity crushes?
More like character crushes…I love Jim from The Office
Favorite Holiday?
Halloween
If you were a shoe, what shoe would you be?
A Converse for sure…
What do you secretly wish you could do/be?
I’ve always wanted to be a National Geographic photographer.
Favorite piece of clothing?
A big buttoned vintage sweater I got on eBay years ago.
Do you speak any other languages? If not, would you like to learn one?
No, I studied French in HS but when I visited France the only thing I knew how to say was “I don’t speak Frenchâ€. I lived in Bali for a while, so I know a bit of Balinese.
We just said goodbye to 2007. Any exciting plans that you had towards the end of the year?
Nothing in particular, just to try and get outside more, now that the weathers a bit cooler here at this time of year…I have a hard time parting my jewelry bench though.
Thanks so much, Julie! Here are my favorites in her shop right now…
Silver Peace Teardrop Necklace: $49.00; Rainy Day Earrings: $37.00:
Modern Abstract Oval Bracelet: $48.00; Kyanite Chain Flowered Silver Briolette Necklace: $49.00;
Modern Pinned Oval Necklace: $42.00; Funky Elongated Spear Hoop Earrings: $17.00:
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aloha! i’m Liana. this is my site. i am not a professional writer. i pretty much just write the way i talk. it’s fun meeting new online friends and introducing these amazing artists. i’ll do my best to keep you entertained.
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Julie is a fantastic designer, metalsmith, and creator. I own several of her pieces and I’m always thrilled when they arrive in the mail. I actually own the necklace in the first photo at the top of the page…it’s one of my favorites (along with a few others from her too). Julie’s jewelry is modern and funky…no matter what I’m wearing each day, I’m wearing jewelry created by String of Blue!
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