Mary Ashley Craftery

Today's talk show I interviewed Ashley from Ashley Mary Craftery. This woman is an extremely talented, kind-hearted, innovative, strong, and worth listening to what she has to say artist. She is even an audiologist (a healthcare professional that diagnose,treat, manage, and balance ear problems). In the interview she talks about where her journey to art began, and how she got to where she is today.

At a young age, Ashley was exposed to art through her grandfather who was also extremely creative. He stared he Host Campers Program at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. During this time he created various art pieces by drilling wholes in flower pots, putting lights,and creating patterns on them, while adding birds sometimes in these pieces. He even created strands of lights to on awnings for the campers. Ashley would help him with his various projects, while staying with him in a camper all summer long. Honestly, what an experience to be at a beach all summer long, in a camper. Amazing. No wonder she is such an amazing person being at a young age to experience the outdoor life surrounded by nature. Yes, she is an animal lover. All of her experiences help pave the road to the creative local artist she is today.

Believe it or not she does not just do her creative artwork for money, but she does it to help others who suffer from mental illness, and who are stressed out. The art work she creates with epoxy resin is ocean themed, and is used to give others a calming affect. Also, when she was a young child straight through her college years she loved coloring using bright colored pencils, markers, and oiled crayons.

I met Ashley at the Ice Festival in Revere, MA. There were many talented artist there, but her art work stood out, amongst all the others. I bought a couple of pieces from her, and the people I gave them to could not believe how beautiful they were. You can check out artwork on https://ashleymarycraftery.com/, and her instagram page is @ashleymarycraftery. You can even find her on facebook.

During the interview she mentions during her college years when she would get stressed out and need a break she would relax by coloring in coloring books times. By the way 15 minutes of coloring is one hour yoga session to the brain. It is fair to say that Ashley has a strong connection and passion with art from the time she was young, and now as an adult.

After college she became an audiologist, and eventually became in charge of the center she was at. Then she went to another audiology job, and COVID hit. During COVID things got stressful in the medical field. She even talks about the mask policy at the time. Also, people were more irritable, less patient, while the health care providers had to try to protect themselves, as well as their family. She decided to go back to art for a break. She never realized her passion for art would turn out to be one of her greatest successes.

Originally, she was only going to create her art pieces just to catch a break, and eventually go back to work. Once people started to see how talented, and creative she is they started buying her artwork, and now this is her main job.

Ashley does custom orders if anyone is intersted please message her at [email protected]. Her website might not show what you are looking for, but she is willing to hear what you want, and she will let you know if she can do it. Currently, she is even working with people to create pieces with loved ones' ashes. She is always looking for new ideas, and would love to hear from you. One more important thing I would like to leave everyone with regarding our interview she gives back to her community by doing fundraises, and charity events. This upcoming weekend she will be doing a fundraiser for a family that lost their love one in Georgetown, MA at the Pembroke School. She even does the farmer's markets. Please listen to her full interview on my talk show at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cheryl-a-nocera/episodes/Ashley-Mary-Crafterys-Story-e2h8c00.

This is an interview from a very passionate local artist who truly loves her work.

Cheryl A Nocera