People always ask me how I got into jewelry making. I always tell the same story. It all began in Africa... Uganda to be exact. I found myself on the other side of the world for a four-month architecture internship after graduating from college. I returned a young woman with a desire to change a life for the better. What I didn’t know at the time was that my life would forever be changed.

 

I brought back to the states three full bags of Ugandan paper jewelry, an intention to sell each and every piece and a goal to raise money for a dear friend I met while living in Uganda. Upon selling the jewelry, I quickly realized that there was a style that was more popular than the others, so I began taking apart the earrings and necklaces that didn’t sell and re-stringing them in the same fashion that the Ugandan women did, using all of the original pieces. This is when the jewelry bug bit me.

 

Every last piece of Ugandan jewelry sold within months and shortly after, I moved my life to south Florida, enrolled in a jewelry school, and in September of 2010, I finished as a Certified Master Jeweler. My first commissioned piece came shortly after from an old friend who wanted me to take several pieces of her mother’s jewelry and put them into one ring for her. That extraordinary ring gave life to what is now ash hoffman jewelry.

 

My private studio opened it's doors to the public in 2017. I still spend my days repurposing old heirlooms and continue to evolve and grow my own personal line of one of a kind pieces, incorporating turquoise and diamonds and unique stones whenever possible. I live near the sea in my hometown of Myrtle Beach, SC with my husband and our two children. 

 

As a native of Myrtle Beach, I am passionate about giving back to my community. I am grateful that, through ash hoffman jewelry, I can participate in various local events and charities throughout each year. Thank you for your support in the art of handmade jewelry. I hope will enjoy your piece of ash hoffman jewelry as much as I enjoy making it.

ashley hoffman hidalgo photographed by Scott Smallin

hair and make up by Beautiful Salon and Spa

email : ashhoffmanjewelry@gmail.com

studio telephone : 843.808.9373

available by appointment only