Welcome to my first email newsletter! This is something I often encourage clients to do… and, well, hadn’t done for myself. Oops. So here I am, finally taking my own advice and excited to share a little of what’s been happening.

My favorite clients have always been the ones who want a true creative partner. Design is the deliverable, but the real magic happens in the creative concept, the idea or solution that makes the whole project make sense. This year, I’ve lived in my usual space somewhere between “I’ve taken on too much!” and “oh no, I have no work coming in!” Along the way, I’ve been learning a new web content management system (CMS) and really enjoying it and the ease of use for clients to update their own sites, welcomed a handful of new clients, and continue to enjoy coming up with creative solutions.

Nearly all of my work over the past 6+ years has come through word of mouth and your recommendations and reviews truly mean the world to me. As a thank-you, each December I donate to a charity in honor of my clients. Throughout the year, I jot down meaningful organizations I come across, and this year I’ve chosen to donate to The Victory Center and BG Kiwanis. Both of which stood out to me over the past year. Thank you for making it possible for me to support these causes.

Enjoy the remaining updates! There is a little tease of something new, a peek at recent work, one business note, and a whole lot of gratitude. I’m forever grateful for each of you. Thanks for taking a few minutes to read during this busy time of year.

With love, Ashley

I casually shared a thought that had been floating around in the back of my mind with my husband, Shane, and it escalated quickly. Once I said it out loud, he made it a reality. Say hello to my new creative art space: Studio Marie!

I’ve been feeling a pull toward more hands-on work and this space gives me room to spread out, experiment, and make a mess. Without having to clear my office table for a video call! It is a peaceful place that I’ve already enjoyed using.

There are still a few finishing touches (finish painting, a logo and branding are in the works, and we’re currently negotiating with winter to keep it above 60 degrees), but I’m so excited about what this space will become. I’m hoping to share it with others soon with plans to host a class or two this spring and 4-H project work nights for my fellow 4-H parents this summer.

A quick holiday painting made in the new studio. 2026 goal is to improve my painting skills!

On the business side, rising costs in software, healthcare, and the usual overhead have caught up with me. Starting in 2026, I’ll be increasing my rate by 15% to keep things sustainable. I hope the experience, care, and value I bring continue to shine through. I’m always happy to chat if you have any questions or concerns.

I took a lovely trip this past September with a longtime friend (since first grade!), and it turned out to be the perfect mix of unplugged time, hiking, and great conversation. She shared a few possible destinations with me, and we ended up choosing our trip based on the house we found, which landed us in Sedona, AZ for five days. It was never a place I’d really thought about visiting but it was absolutely beautiful.

I have a lot of new work to add to my portfolio (and to finally share on Instagram and Facebook), but here’s a fun one I wanted to show you first!

Black Swamp Fireplaces & Grills: a Kellermeier Company
Kellermeier Plumbing & Heating has been selling fireplaces and grills since 2004, and with their deep expertise in heating and cooling, they’re uniquely positioned to help customers choose the right products, install them correctly, and keep everything running smoothly.

For this project, we created a new Black Swamp Fireplaces & Grills logo that complements the Kellermeier brand while still feeling like its own thing. The goal was to build on Kellermeier’s trusted reputation but also give Black Swamp a clear identity as the go-to spot for fireplaces and grills.

The final logo is versatile and has a sturdy, nameplate feel—something you could imagine on an actual fireplace or grill. A clean black outline, an icon that ties back to the KPH website, and a coordinated color palette all help the two brands work seamlessly together in co-branded spaces.

Between client work, farm wife life, my kids, volunteering for 4-H and (new this year) Kiwanis while also becoming a Sunday school teacher, plus whatever else comes my way, my heart is full and blessed beyond measure.

In one way or another, you are on this email list because you have kept me busy with rewarding design and creative work, support, camaraderie, an acquaintance along the way, or some combination of any of those. Thank you so much for your support!

This newsletter will be irregular at best. Enjoy some news and ramblings from me from the current moment when they come but also feel free to unsubscribe. Have a wonderful 2026!