Pink of Perfection

My cousin Ashley is a little firecracker. Not only does she have guns to rival Michelle Obama, but with her company Sunup Jewelry she hand-makes the most gorgeous glass jewelry that is an beguiling mix of durability, delicacy, and whimsy. Not unlike her. Her etsy store has more than a few charmers I’ve got my eye on…

Tell us a little bit about Sunup Jewelry and what you have learned about yourself and the way you work since starting your own
 business?

Sunup Jewelry began roughly two years ago, but has really taken off only in the last year. Jewelry is certainly my favorite part of an outfit and I’m sure I’ve been making various bracelets, earrings and necklaces since I was a kid. The reason fused glass really strikes my liking is twofold. A big canvas would completely deter me if I were a painter; glass gives me a very small canvas, usually only a square inch or two, on which to work. This concentrated surface area prevents me from being too overwhelmed. Secondly, I love the surprise element that is involved with a kiln – the wait and anticipation, the uncertainty of how your product is going to turn out. I live for the moments when I get to open my kiln and see my finished jewels.

Several months ago I jotted down in a notebook the reasons why I would not thrive as a self-employed person. But alas! Life is ever-changing, and here I am, self-employed. To my surprise – and relief – I’m much more happy with my life now (since quitting my day job) than I ever thought possible. The world really is your oyster.

I never thought I would work well without having structure to my day. After several months of waking up whenever I’d like, and having no one to tell me to do anything, I’ve found that I rather enjoy working when I feel like being productive. Sometimes it’s really nice to work late into the night when there are no distractions, and then have the morning to sleep or go for walks.

What do you love most about living in Portland? What do you love least?

There are lots of things competing for the top spot on the ‘love’ list. I love that everyone who lives in Portland is just head-over-heels for this city. We all seem to adore it and get excited when talking about it. I also love the fact that this city allows me to make a living doing what I love. Living is cheap, so I don’t have to make a fortune to get by. I get a kick out of looking out my window and seeing someone on a 6-foot tall bike pedal by (and it happens frequently!). There are theatres that sell movie tickets for $3 and then let you watch the film while eating a calzone and enjoying a cold local beer – all on nice couches and tables. The abundance of restaurants that never let you down, the amazing summers… the list is endless. What do I love least? Well, not much, but I suppose it’d be nice to see my friends and family a little more frequently; I don’t get back to the East coast very often.

What most inspires you? Who most inspires you?

There isn’t one person or thing that inspires me most. I guess I select different qualities from various people and try to mimic those things as best I can. Some people have loads of positive energy, others never appear to be sad, and some keep trudging along despite their poor luck. These are the vendors at the Saturday Market, they are the coworkers I’ve had in the past, they are family, they are enemies.

What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

There are two quotes that will surely forever be treading water in the back of my mind:

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” - Napoleon Hill
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard

Love that Annie Dillard quote. What’s your ideal day look like?

If you mean ideal, ideal, then I’d win the lottery, of course. But realistically, I’d magically wake up in a studio apartment (without roommates) to zero alarm clocks, go out for coffee, make some glass without anything breaking and my silver leaf refusing to rip on me when I cut out my little hearts or dragonflies. Then I’d go play tennis outside with a friend, have a drum lesson, go waterskiing, get a massage, win free lifelong health insurance (maybe this is getting a little unrealistic…?), go shopping at Anthropologie with an unlimited gift card that I’d find on the sidewalk and then discover proof that there is another life after this one and that it’s not just nothingness forever. My ideal day is essentially what I do everyday. Which, really, is a dream come true.

What’s in your fridge right now?

Brie, pear hazelnut fruit spread, soy milk, artichokes, pesto, and maybe some eggs.

Last but not least: what’s your favorite 80’s dance song?

Er… I’m not one for dancing much, but my favorite dinosaur is a pterodactyl; can you use that?