Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Thorne.
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your back story.
My journey into the world of jewelry design has been quite an adventure, filled with twists and turns that ultimately led me to where I am today. It all began during my time in graphic design, where I dabbled in freelance work but found myself lacking passion and excitement in that field.
Seeking a change, I found myself managing an eco-friendly, mid-century home store in downtown Brooklyn, NY. Working closely with female owners not only provided me with valuable insights into business operations but also catalyzed my pursuit of my true passion for jewelry design.
With their encouragement, I began honing my craft, refining my skills, and experimenting with designs. It was during this time that I realized the gap in the market for simple, everyday fine jewelry that was both affordable and elegant.
I remember feeling very motivated at this point, I started creating jewelry pieces, sourcing materials from places like Metalliferous in NYC. However, it wasn’t until I wanted to design a ring that I found myself wanting to learn the art of metalsmithing.
With the recommendation of a friend in the jewelry industry, I enrolled in courses at The Jewelry Arts Inc. and Liloveve, where I discovered my passion for metalsmithing. Through trial and error, countless late nights, and unwavering dedication, I refined my skills and developed my signature style.
Today, I’m so proud to have transformed my passion for jewelry design into a business, offering timeless and elegant pieces that speak to the modern woman’s desire for simplicity and sophistication.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it has been a smooth road but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some moments that test me. Recognizing my creative limits while also pushing myself to explore new horizons has been a recurring theme.
At times, it’s easy to create within the boundaries of what I know and what falls into my aesthetic. However, when approached for custom pieces, I’m often faced with having to quickly determine whether they align with my capabilities and artistic vision.
While some projects may be beyond my expertise or just not a good fit, I’ve learned to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Embracing new and exciting things that come my way has led to pivotal moments in my journey, pushing me to expand my skills to go beyond where I thought I could go.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about A.M. Thorne?
Ashley Thorne designs jewelry to stir and inspire. Forging a connection between designer and wearer, handcrafted fine jewelry feeds self-expression and soul.
At A.M. Thorne, fine jewelry goes beyond the material. Here, jewelry is designed to stir and inspire, feed self-expression, and speak to the essence of yourself. Exploring concepts of connection and soul, designer Ashley translates her ideas into evocative and tactile forms.
Hand-curating gemstones with individual character and charm, Ashley’s work redefines beauty and value. A connection between materials and wearer is formed, transcending a purely physical understanding of worth.
Crafted with soul: Handcrafted with beautiful materials and singular gemstones, Ashley’s work frames the extraordinary qualities of her chosen stones. An ethereal color palette and satin-finished gold allow their inner beauty to radiate.
Sculptural silhouettes and individually textured surfaces invite physical connection, communicating a sense of power and beauty on and off the body. Each piece is crafted with care and intention by a small family of skilled artisans in the heart of the New York diamond district.
A bespoke connection. Working with Ashley, bespoke jewelry is an intimate affair.
Creating an authentic connection between designer and wearer, Ashley infuses every custom piece with the significance of your story. In a symbiotic sharing of ideas and soul, Ashley communicates your stories of love, memory, and self-discovery in jewelry.
For celebration or remembrance, gifting, or personal expression, Ashley creates an intimate space in which to explore what means most to you.
At the heart of my work is a vision for soul and connection. I believe in the power of jewelry to connect us not only to ourselves but to others. A piece of fine jewelry becomes a personal talisman, a memory immortalized, a reflection of your values. Jewelry also creates a connection between us.
Working with you on a bespoke or customized design, ours becomes a close relationship. From engagement rings to mark a new chapter of life, I understand the intimacy and significance of the jewelry I create.
In studying graphic design at the Pratt Institute, I learned the elements, principles, and processes of design. I am fascinated by the influence of color in design, particularly its power to express emotions and ideas. Color speaks to us on a personal and emotive level, with differing shades evoking an individual response.
Even from an early age, I understood the dual physical and spiritual connection we have with objects. Some of my formative memories are of beautiful objects seen from a child’s point of view – the curves of an Eero Saarinen womb chair, a collection of gemstone eggs scattered amongst the deep pile of a yellow shag carpet. The blend of form, texture, and meaning is a concept my jewelry now explores.
This philosophy extends to how I create my pieces. I seek gemstones with a sense of character and life, pairing them with luxurious gold. Tactile curves and hand-applied finishes are designed to be inviting and soulful.
My approach to sustainability recognizes this ongoing journey, a dialogue between wearer, designer, and maker. Crafting in recycled and Fair mined gold, continual conversation with my suppliers allows me to explore and improve the materials I use.”
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One of my favorite places I have been to so far is Oaxaca, Mexico. My friend and I went a few years ago and I immediately fell in love with everything there was to see and experience.
The architecture, nature, food, people, textiles, pottery, spirituality smell of burning copal in the streets, and all the beautiful colors. Though I have no ancestral ties to the land I felt very much at home there. I cannot wait to travel there again but also to have more travel destinations that leave me feeling the same way I felt on that trip!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amthornejewelry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amthorne/
