Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Brazeal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My business started as a way for my son and I to spend time together. I had recently had my daughter and she took up a good chunk of my attention so I wanted to spend quality time with him and he chose making soap. We would make soap and sell it on Facebook or the office I worked at and even a few handmade market events. I decided I wanted to try and make some resin coasters to sell along with the soap to have something cute for it to sit on.
I have always wanted to create something myself and try and make a little business out of it. Nothing big, just a side gig.
Then I had a friend of mine ask me if I would put her wedding flowers in some coasters for her. I told her no way, that sounds way too difficult and I would ruin your flowers. My friend being the hype girl she is said, do it anyway!
Now 3.5 years later here we are, going strong and it’s now my full time job! I’m very grateful to my friend for pushing me out of my comfort zone and giving it a try!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In no way has it been a smooth road. Epoxy resin is an extremely difficult medium that takes a-lot trial and error along the way.
I actually stopped taking resin orders thinking that part of my business was over because I didn’t want to have it in my home any longer, around my family. The smells and VOCs can be very dangerous. I worked only on frames for a while and tried to focus on mastering my flower pressing skills. After turning away a few orders I quickly realized that I really wanted to keep working with resin.
My husband suggested building a shop in our back yard, this of course felt like a dream come true to me!
We were able to get it up pretty quick and I was able to start excepting resin orders again. I’m very grateful to his support and help through the last 3.5 years, I would absolutely not be able to have this business without him.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a flower preservationist. I take wedding and memorial flowers and dry them either by pressing them or by keeping their 3D shape. Then I will either assemble them into a frame or in a resin piece.
I’m very proud of the tables I have made. Mostly because they are the biggest pieces I have made. But honestly with almost every piece I make, whether it is a frame or resin piece I tend to fall in love with it. I love working with so many different people, I meet them and tend to get to know them through the process. I really enjoy chatting with them about what the are envisioning and making it come to life.
I think something that sets me apart is that I take custom orders and will spend hours searching for the perfect bezel for their jewelry or tray to incase their flowers in. I love trying new things and I want my customers to be able to cherish their flowers in their own special way.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
It might be a surprise to some, the amount of time I spend working on each piece. I know a lot of people are surprised by how long it takes for flowers to dry and that is just the first step. There is a lot of work that goes into each order, but it is so worth it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.evermoreblossoms.com
- Instagram: @evermore_blossoms
