We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ashley Andrighetti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ashley below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I recently started making cremation jewelry, but I prefer the term memorial jewelry as it symbolizes more than just the ashes of the deceased loved one. Recently I was contacted by a wonderful woman asking if I could make a piece of jewelry with her father’s ashes in it. This was the first time I had been asked to do something like this and was uncertain at first, but I knew in my heart I could do it. I met with the woman and we talked for along time about both of our fathers. We realized that we had much in common, including our fathers who we both lost far too young and too early. Maybe that’s why her piece was so meaningful to me; because I could relate to her and the meaning behind what I was doing for her.
After talking with her, we decided a ring would suit her best and she picked out an inlay ring as her memorial piece. The inlay ring has a section where material can be added to customize the ring to the wearer’s desires. In this case, the woman wanted some of the ashes to be visible, nestled among white opal. As she stood up to leave, she handed over a small bag, containing the remainder of her father’s ashes. As I took the bag, I couldn’t help but feel the immense weight this bag carried with it. This woman had just given me all that remains of her loved one; she entrusted the memories and love she held for him to me. It was a very powerful and special moment for me, but also extremely stressful. I wanted, no, needed to live up to the expectations the situation placed on me, but most of all, I wanted to make a piece for her that would make her feel her father’s love whenever she felt it or looked at it.

Before starting her piece, I asked her about her father: what was he like, what were her favorite memories of him. What I did with her piece, and what I do with all of my memorial pieces, is, when it is time to work with the ashes, I turn off my studio music, and allow stillness to surround me. I hold the lost one’s memories in my heart and mind and give the piece all of my positive energy, thoughts, and, with their permission, prayers as I add their remains to the piece. In doing this, I imbue the piece with the love and memories their described to me along with positive energy.

When the ring was finished, she came to pick it up; to say I was a little nervous is an absolute understatement. All I was hoping for was that I hadn’t let her down, and the moment I saw her face after she saw the ring, I knew it was what she wanted and needed. We both teared up and embraced. She was beyond grateful for the ring and I was beyond grateful to be a part of that for her.

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

My name is Ashley Andrighetti. I am a wife, a mommy to a wonderful 8-year-old son and 3 crazy dogs!
In 2016, I was recovering from two major hip surgeries while my husband was deployed. I was searching for something to help manage the pain I had which led me to the amazing properties of natural crystals. I surrounded myself with these crystals; carrying them with me wherever I went. I wanted to share with others the benefits the crystals gave me, so I thought the best way would be to create jewelry out of them. This way people could get the same benefits of it and have something beautiful to wear as well.

I specialize in rings, necklaces, and earrings made of precious metals and natural crystals. My jewelry is made through metalsmithing. Some pieces can take a day to make, while others can take more than a week. Each come with their own unique challenges and obstacles, but no matter the difficulty of the piece, each one has a piece of my heart and soul in it.

I think something that sets me apart from others is not only the care I take in creating the jewelry but also in learning and understanding my customers. Through learning about them I am able to help them find a piece that not only matches their aesthetic desires, but also their mental, spiritual, and/or emotional needs.

I am most proud of my line of memorial jewelry.  So many have experienced loss in their lives and want a way to keep those they loved and lost close to them. Seeing the faces of those who now have something that brings them that connection is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

I love working with people; collaborating with them to create jewelry that is as unique and individual as they are. I love learning and trying new things and am always open for a new challenge.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This may sound odd, as it is not fully a part of being an artist, but I truly enjoy meeting and connecting with people. I am so incredibly lucky to be artist: to create things that I am passionate about that challenge my mind and hands, but there is nothing like seeing the faces of the people who buy my pieces or want to learn about how it’s done. Sometimes I get incredibly blessed and I really get to know them. People come to my booth at shows or contact me online and we have real discussions about life, about our struggles, and truly connect.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first started creating jewelry, I was in a really low and vulnerable place. I had just had my second hip replacement in a year, my husband was deployed, and my mom, who was helping me take care of my 2-year-old son, was just diagnosed with cancer. I needed something to mentally take me away from all that was going on. It was the best thing I’ve ever done. 4 years later, though, the pandemic hit. It shut down everything I had been working towards. Not only that, but my husband was deployed again, and my poor mom, who was helping me with my then 6-year-old son, was diagnosed with cancer for the 3rd time. This time I had to stop creating.
I have a lot of pain from numerous surgeries in my life, and I suffer from fibromyalgia. At this time my pain was out of control. It sapped my energy and forced me take seek rest all of the time. I ended up taking 3 years off from making jewelry, and I didn’t think I would ever be able to go back to what I love. I thought I was done.

Then one day, a woman who had purchased a ring from me a long time ago messaged me on Instagram. She had lost her ring and asked if I would be able to make another one, since she loved it so much. I couldn’t say no to that, so even though it took me a lot longer than it had in the past, I made her that ring!  As I was making it, I felt that passion grow inside me again; the need to create, to go to a place that is just for me.

It takes me longer to finish pieces now due to my increased levels of pain, but regardless of the pain, I’m back in my studio, my happy place. Thankfully, once I started creating again the restrictions from the pandemic were lifted, and all of the art shows were open again. My husband is back home safe from his deployment, my mom went into remission, and I am back doing what I love, doing the thing that can take my mind off of my pain and the troubles of life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @handmade_lovejewelry
• Facebook: andrighettihandmadelove