Introducing “ENVY” By Ashley Ortega

Ashley Ortega, also known as AO was always taught that no matter what you like to do or what you are good at, that is your art in life. In this last year is when she was really able to tap into her creative side. Before this last year she was always extremely athletic and competitive. Basketball was always her strength and her outlet, nothing compared to the sanctuary that was offered to her while she was on the court.  As she have got older she was able to tap into more outlets and more areas of creativity, that she never knew existed.

Envy By AO’s Story

Many people ask me, “Who taught you how to make jewelry? Where did you learn to make jewelry? What’s the story behind you making jewelry? And what is SO different about your jewelry?”

Well, honestly I started making jewelry for one reason, I had a dinner to go to, so I went out and bought a pair of earrings. These earrings cost me $15.00, and I thought I would get more than one use out of them, so I was excited. By the end of the night, one of the earrings had broken. The next morning I woke up, I looked at the earring in disbelief and anger. I had just spent $15.00 on a pair of earrings that only lasted me 4 hours, if that? As I really looked at them more and more I came to terms that I could fix them, so I got up and went to Michael’s Craft Store. The original plan was just to fix my broken earrings, then I started making my own earrings, and then started experimenting with bracelets. As time has progressed, I have taught myself to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rosaries, and even hair accessories. The final question I always find more appealing to answer is, What is SO different about my jewelry?  Well, it says it all in the name ENVY. This name surfaced from my twitter name believe it or not, and slowly became the meaning and purpose of my jewelry. Envy is a very strong and dominating word, with it comes resent, desire, and even a bit of passion. In every piece I work on, I really focus on that piece, the customization, and what I want it to mean or symbolize for the client. Each color, shape, style, and stone selected means a lot more than what meets the eye. This is where Envy comes into play, its easy to be jealous of something you see just from an outside perspective. Envy is deeper than just the jewelry and what people see, there is research, thought, and maybe a little spiritualism put into it. I also think that Envy By AO has an edge that not many others have, I make some of my own beads used. Making and molding the your own beads, adds a lot of value to each of my pieces and designs because its a process not many are eager to take.

Thank you for your support and interest in Envy By AO.

You can Check out pieces from Ashley’s “ENVY” collection below