Everyone has a passion for something, but for Ashley Wege she has taken her passion for creating her own things to the next level, as she started her own business selling her creations.
“I used to knit and crochet, but then I got more into personalized things,” Wege said. While having a small business is not new to Wege, personalized jewelry is her newest creation.
“With the laser, we just celebrated three years together. And probably knitting and crocheting about 14,” Wege said. Starting out, it wasn’t so easy to learn how to use a new machine and start from scratch again but now she has the hang of personalizing jewelry. “I bought a very expensive laser and had absolutely no idea how to run it; The first time I pressed the run button, I was very nervous that I was just going to burn down the whole shed,” Wege said. She has found that creating and making things results in some heartwarming experiences.
“The most rewarding thing is when I make something for somebody that is very sentimental to them,” Wege said.
“I love to do things out of . . . a family member who’s passed handwriting,” Wege said. Being a business owner, and a teacher, that loves to create things and be able to give that joy to others, however school is her main priority.
“I just have to say, during the school year that teaching comes first, and then during the summer the business can come first,” Wege said. Sometimes being a teacher and a business owner can have its challenges, and both of the jobs can collide.
“We got a big order in the beginning of May, and I just had to say, as soon as school’s out, we’ll get to your order,” Wege said. Knowing what it’s like to have a small business, Wege supports other small businesses as well, to help boost them.
“So with my acrylic, I order from a small business in Texas; I order pattern plywood from a small business in North Carolina; My jewelry, I order from a small business in Georgia; . . . just trying to also support other small businesses,” Wege said.
Her business is growing by the day. More and more people have found her work and have been ordering, now that she has started selling her work at some Rock Creek home games. Even though it can be stressful to be a business owner, thankfully Wege has help from her friend Kellie Milner, who is also a teacher. Wege enjoys using her creativity to construct items that will make others happy.
