Willow & Ash Designs: Where Woodworking Meets Storytelling

 

At the intersection of craftsmanship, creativity, and connection lies Willow & Ash Designs—a handcrafted wood art business bringing meaningful, personalized décor to life. Specializing in intricate scroll saw pieces, laser-made gifts, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes, this small business blends traditional woodworking with modern techniques to create truly unique pieces of art.

Whether it’s layered wall art, ornaments, bookmarks, or jewelry, every piece from Willow & Ash Designs carries intention and heart. Nature, storytelling, and personal moments are at the core of the brand, resulting in art that resonates deeply with customers.

The name Willow & Ash Designs wasn’t just chosen at random—it holds personal significance and creative symbolism. “Willow” represents flexibility, resilience, and creativity, qualities that embody the artist and the journey. It’s also a subtle nod to the names of the owner’s children, William and Olivia—“Will-O.”

“Ash” is a powerful word in itself. Not only is it a strong, beautiful hardwood, but it’s also the name of the artist behind it all, Ashley Dawes. The combination reflects both a deep connection to nature and a sense of identity—two things that shine through in every handcrafted piece.

Though Willow & Ash Designs officially launched in 2021, the seeds of the business were planted much earlier. The artist behind the brand didn’t start out as a woodworker. In fact, her creative roots began in visual arts and DIY projects. The spark for woodworking was ignited in 2015, inspired by her father and uncles—hands-on creators who were always building and fixing things.

While her husband was deployed in 2016, she began taking on small DIY projects, and quickly found herself immersed in the world of woodworking. The moment she tried a scroll saw, everything changed. It became her favorite tool—a perfect blend of precision, challenge, and creativity.

Originally, woodworking was just a fulfilling hobby. But tools aren’t cheap—and as interest in her work grew, it became clear that this passion had the potential to become something more. Starting a business allowed her to turn her creative freedom into a sustainable venture, while maintaining control over her work and her time.

Though she never set out with the intention of becoming an entrepreneur, demand for her work naturally turned the dream into reality. What began as a hobby evolved into a growing business with a loyal customer base, an online presence, and an ever-expanding product line.

Willow & Ash Designs officially launched in January 2021—an intentional decision that also made bookkeeping simpler for the former accountant-turned-artist. Starting a business came with a learning curve: pricing, branding, marketing, sourcing materials—it was all new. But the passion never wavered.

“I had no idea what I was doing in the beginning,” she admits. “I was just making pieces and hoping for the best.”

The turning point came during a fundraiser for Makers for St. Jude, where she created a large scroll saw lion that raised over $1,100. That moment confirmed her belief that her work could make an impact—and deserved a larger platform.

Like any small business journey, Willow & Ash Designs has been full of valuable lessons:

• Your time is valuable — Underpricing leads to burnout.
  
  

• Marketing matters — Even great art won’t sell if no one sees it.
  
  

• Community is everything — Fellow makers provide support, inspiration, and collaboration.
  
  

• Failure is part of the process — Not every product will succeed, and that’s okay.
  
  

• Love what you do — Passion keeps you going during hard times.
  
  

• Separate your finances — Creativity and clarity can coexist with solid accounting.

The journey has included plenty of surprises—both exciting and challenging. Social media has played a larger role than expected, connecting her with a community of supporters and customers. Self-teaching everything from laser cutting to web design has been an unexpected but rewarding part of the job.

Some memorable milestones include:

• Participating in the Makers for St. Jude fundraiser.
  
  

• Getting accepted into large holiday markets.
  
  

• Selling out at a market for the first time.
  
  

• Collaborating with trusted brands like TruFlat and Walrus Oil.

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Balancing family life with running a business is an ongoing challenge—especially with ADHD in the mix. Learning to pace herself, avoid burnout, and say no when needed has been essential.

From slow social media growth to figuring out how to scale production while preserving quality, Willow & Ash Designs continues to grow through thoughtful adaptation and persistence.

At its core, Willow & Ash Designs is more than just a business—it’s a story of resilience, creativity, and connection. It’s a space where handcrafted art becomes meaningful décor, and where personal moments are turned into lasting keepsakes.

“Starting this business has been one of the best (and hardest) things I’ve ever done,” she reflects. “But at the end of the day, I get to do something I love, create meaningful pieces, and connect with people who appreciate handcrafted work. That makes all the challenges worth it.”