Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Ambrosio. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Life’s journey, with its inherent risks, is much like molding a piece of clay into a work of art.
Traveling solo overseas for the first time, feeling connected to my Italian roots, newly divorced, having my own kinda Eat, Pray, Love moment and then finding myself swimming in the Mediterranean and bobbing around to meet the love of my life. Fast forward briefly and I’m moving to a new country, falling in love, changing careers, starting a new business and pursuing my life’s purpose and much like these elements shaping raw clay with hands that sometimes tremble with uncertainty.
I had all these features of stability: a high school teacher and counsellor, the steady pay check, healthcare, pension, all the community and the love of family and friends within a 20km radius. Turning away and stepping towards the edge of the abyss. Stepping into the unknown. Each decision is a bold venture into uncharted territories, A trust in the process. Offering the prospect of growth, self-discovery, real connection and a life lived with authenticity.
In 2018, I was blessed with the opportunity for major change and the transformative power of risk. Like an initial formlessness that gives way to the contours of a unique and meaningful existence. Each decision makes a difference, each thumb leaves an imprint, and much like my hands are shaping the clay, the universe with all it’s up and downs is shaping my life. Teaches me to embracing the uncertainties of the creative journey. And keep moving forward.
Today, my husband and I have recently made an interstate move, we’re opening a cafe and community hub, I’m still working with the kiddos who have always been a highlight of my life.. and I’ll forever seeking out the balance that fulfills me. Lots of mistakes along of way, lots of teachable moments to reflect on.. but even more to be grateful for. So many blessings to skate upon. And while risks entail uncertainty, they also carry the promise of profound experiences and the fulfillment that comes with daring to embrace the unfamiliar and follow the path of a true calling.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I had always wanted to be a PE teacher – like since I was 10. I come from a long line of teachers in my family and it felt like an honour I was born to fulfill. Working with kids, supporting and empowering youth has always been my life’s calling. Whether it’s been problem solving our life and math problems, counselling sessions, or moving our bodies together, teaching young people has been the driving force in my existence.
My artistic journey has been multifaceted and being a maker started from humble beginnings. I’ve always dabbled in lots of artistic endeavours. Even as a kid I was lucky enough to play around with lots of fun tools and mediums – from making forts out in the backyard woods of my small hometown in the Canadian Rockies – to decorating spaces with forest finds, music, dance, drawing and painting. and even some ceramics glazing at a local studio. Around 2010 I got hooked on soap making, first as gifts for my family and friends, which then evolved into local farmers markets and selling at pop-up events on the weekends.
Soon after, I embraced the artist’s journey and signed up for my first pottery class at the local community center. The clay has always called to me – my Grandpa was an Italian stone mason and I used to follow him around and be in awe of his work as a kid – always so careful with each stone, each choice was a perfect fit. And for me, the moment I put my hands on the clay – I knew it was the right fit. I signed up for tons of classes, volunteered and did a couple work-study internships at a local studio in Tucson, AZ, When covid came, the studio closed temporarily, and I turned to Craigslist to find my very own #pittathekiln just patient and waiting for me in the corner of someone’s garage, never fired once and ready to live its life too.
Since then, my business Spring + Vine has flourished. My natural soap and handmade pottery can be found in shop and the cutest boutiques all over the continent! It’s wild to witness all the changes that have come. My favorite part of the gig are the workshops. Bringing together all kinds of people, from all walks of life, all open to a new experience, come with a beginner mindset and leave with a sense of connection and community and learning new skills! What a joy, what a gift to live this life and be able to blend together my passions.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson I needed to unlearn is the perpetual notion that life needs to look a certain way. The people pleaser extraordinaire. The blasphemy that there’s a certain checklist we all need to follow – something that looks like school, more school, find love, get a dog, then a house, next marriage, then kids.. check, check, check. No.
Not if you’re just going through the motions.
Not if there’s the feeling like there’s an obligation to fulfill.
To who?
For me, now the obligation is the fulfillment of self.
Who am I now? What can I offer now?
Authenticity, trust, truth.. these are my driving forces.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Kindness, connection, community.
There’s space for us all. Each of us are welcome just as we are. And we all have something to learn and contribute.
I think my big takeaway is when we operate from the place of fear and through the lens of scarcity – we can expect disappointment. A lack of fulfillment. Worry. Competition.
I think it’s a choice to focus on the abundance that exists all around us. To give back, to use what we need, to uplift each other’s experiences and highlight the beauty all around us.
The best way we can support the artistic journey and a thriving creative ecosystem is to honor each individual for their uniqueness and nurture a shared space for the light to shine in everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.springandvinestudios.com
- Instagram: @springandvine
- Facebook: @springandvine
- Other: www.cafelumina.com – coming soon! @cafelumina @oldpueblo.youthproject
Image Credits
Anna Zajac Veelie Alba Katie of Moon Valley Creative