I joined Etsy in January of 2009 at the suggestion of a few then-coworkers. My shop, Ashleigh's Apartment, first opened with a handful of handmade earrings, greeting cards and odd pieces of home decor and accessories. It then evolved into a kitschy type shop with handmade felt creations resembling food and other things along side silk and chiffon flower clips.

During the days of Alchemy I fulfilled a few custom orders which I still love to do today. It wasn't until late 2011 and early 2012 that the shop items transformed into jewelry.

Jewelry making is a great process both mentally and physically. Creating a design that will be attractive to wear is always a fun challenge. You'll find that most items have a very airy, breezy and beachy feel. This is due to inspiration from my childhood through early adulthood spent along the New Englans shoreline of Weekapaug, RI.

The idea of Ashleigh's Apartment came into existence about 17 years ago. I began by sprucing up ("up-cycle") barrettes, bobby pins and hair clips with various adornments like nail polish, ribbon and beads. I came up with "Ashleigh's Apartment" as a brand name which I printed out with my family's color printer (think old and pixelated). I rocked out the Papyrus font. Using oak-tag from my mother's teaching supplies and a hole punch, I created packaging. I sold nothing, and still have a few "originals" to this day.

I was born a creative and live as a creative with a constant urge to make things. The feeling of accomplishment when you hold something in your hands that you created is like no other. Expressing yourself visually and tangibly isn't always an easy task!

I love sharing my creations with others, because by doing so, I'm sharing my passion: whether or not the recipient is aware. Etsy has given me the chance to share some of these pieces with people from around the world. I hope to continue to do so; and the more the merrier.

Today, I am an Etsy Admin and proud to still be a member of this incredible community. You can find my Admin shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashandends

Also, my kitschy goodness isn't gone forever. I am in the process of putting up a new shop that will house those wonderful creatures along with greeting cards, etc. Stay tuned for the shop name and opening.