While The Local Store has only been host to Ashley Walton-Beal’s quirky jewelry and metalwork pieces for about one year, crafting has been part of Ashley’s life since she was a kid. Fast forward to around 2019 when her fate was sealed: Wandering through a craft show, Ashley came across the art of metal stamping.

“It was quite difficult to do at first,” she recalled. “My first few projects were very interesting.”

"I really like the individuality of metal stamping items by hand because none of them are the same." –Ashley Walton-Beal

With a starter kit gifted from her husband, Ashley found her love of the perfectly imperfect process of metal stamping. “I really like the individuality of metal stamping items by hand because none of them are the same. Even if I make the same basic design, it always come out just a little bit different and I love that!”

With a personal knack for crafting earrings – a best-selling product at The Local Store for Ashley – her niche interest in custom work is perhaps the most rewarding aspect. From custom-stamped metal keychains, pieces for pets, necklaces and rings made from spoons, and more, another key focus in Ashley’s jewelry is mental health.

From custom-stamped metal keychains, pieces for pets, necklaces and rings made from spoons, and more, the beauty of Ashley Walton-Beal's pieces lies in its handcrafted individuality.

Always on the hunt for new, fun quotes to stamp into her pieces, Ashley doesn’t shy away from mental health-related sayings, an effort to spread awareness around the topic. Leaving a trail of beads, charms, and jewelry making supplies from her home office to the basement workbench is all part of the process.