Meet the Maker

Hi, I'm Ashley, the creator behind The Gilded Bramble.

For years I worked in fashion retail helping people feel beautiful in their own skin. I truly loved that part of my job. Then my daughter came along, and everything changed.

Being home with her became the most important thing in my life. Motherhood has been equal parts exhausting and beautiful, and some days I feel like I'm doing it all right while other days I'm just trying to make it to bedtime. I love my little girl with my whole heart. But if you've ever stayed home with a tiny human full time, you know you still need something that's just yours. I needed a creative outlet.

Before The Gilded Bramble, I owned an in-home bakery where I was known for my sourdough, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. Even though I've traded bread for jewelry, my love for creating things has never changed. I've always loved sharing beautiful things that bring people joy.

Eventually, the endless dishes started to outweigh the joy, so we decided to press pause on that chapter. I wasn't sure what came next, but I knew I still wanted to create.

Around that same time, I joined an online community of women who all owned small businesses. That's where I met Britni.

We lived in different states, had completely different aesthetics, and somehow became each other's biggest cheerleaders. We celebrated every win, encouraged each other through the hard days, and faithfully supported one another online. Somewhere along the way, an internet friendship became a real friendship.

One day we were talking about polymer clay, and she encouraged me to give it a try.

I don't think either of us realized how much that one conversation would change my life.

What started as a new hobby quickly turned into an obsession. I couldn't stop learning new techniques or dreaming up new ideas. Polymer clay may have been where this journey started, but it didn't stay there for long.

The more I created, the more ideas I had. Jewelry led to bookmarks. Bookmarks led to apparel. Apparel led to home décor, gifts, and whatever idea decides to pop into my head next.

Thankfully, I married someone who has always encouraged every creative adventure I've dreamed up. He's patiently watched our dining room turn into a craft room, our kitchen table become my desk and creation station, and somehow never questions another trip to the craft store.

He knows there's a good chance every new idea will eventually take over another corner of the house.

Doubt me?

I bet you've never stepped on a seed bead while carrying a screaming toddler upstairs for bedtime.

But if I'm being honest, this business didn't really begin with polymer clay.

It began with books.

I've been a reader for as long as I can remember. In high school I spent every last bit of my allowance on books. By the time I moved out of my parents' house, I had over a thousand of them. Even after donating hundreds, my shelves were still overflowing with my favorites.

If you know me, you know I can talk about books for hours. My goal is usually to convince everyone around me to read whatever series I'm currently obsessed with so they can laugh, cry, gasp, and recover from the emotional damage together. It just feels more fair that way.

I've always loved stories, but fantasy stole my heart early on. Looking back, The Beast from Beauty and the Beast really should have been my first clue. Apparently morally gray main characters have been my type since childhood.

The Gilded Bramble was born from friendship, creativity, and a lifelong love of stories.

Every piece I create is inspired by the worlds, characters, and adventures that have stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Whether you find a pair of earrings, a bookmark for your next read, or a gift for your favorite book lover, I hope it brings a little extra magic into your everyday life.

If this little shop stands for anything, I hope it's this: beautiful things are even better when they come with a story.

Thank you so much for being here. Supporting The Gilded Bramble means you're supporting my family, my dream, and this wonderfully chaotic creative life. I truly couldn't do it without you, and I'm so grateful you've found your way to my little corner of the storybook world.