Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Mathers.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ashley and I am 24 years old. I grew up in Ocean City, NJ and love living in this small town! In 2016 I started working at a local pottery studio for about 7 years. I ended up becoming the manager and fell in-love with running the studio. What started as a job became an epiphany for me, an avenue I was not expecting to dream. I happened to get a job there and ended up loving it. I got to learn more about the business as my role grew and knew that this was meant for me.
In spring of 2022 I attempted to open up a Studio in OC, but it fell through. I accepted that it was probably going to be awhile until I could find the perfect space for me. So while I waited, I started to focus on learning more as well as hosting workshops at other businesses.
In 2025 the opportunity of a life time was offered to me. 411 E 8th Street was vacant and open to rent. The only left to do was to say yes!
At 23 years old, my life changed for the better. I was finally making my dream a reality! I opened Memorial Day Weekend 2025 and coming up on a year May 23rd 2026. “Coastal Creations Studio” a Walk In Make Your Own Art Studio! Where we offer Mosaics, Painting, Collage, Vision Boards & More! Everything I worked towards was coming together smoother than warm butter! It felt like TV show I was watching from inside.
This has been the most incredible journey of my life. It is a privilege to help others create art and to find their artistic voice.
The studio is more than a business, it is a space for community, connection, and creation. I hope to inspire other young woman to follow their dreams and go after their goals in addition to inspiring everyone to create more art!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I mentioned previously that this was not my first attempt trying to open a studio. In 2022 I attempted to open up a studio & it ended up falling through. It was hard to not let that discourage me from achieving my goal.
When I did get to open up my studio, I really did not know how I was going to do. If I was even going to be able to pay my rent. I also was not used to being in the spot light and opening the studio really started to shine a light on me.
If I wanted people to come support my business, I needed to break out of my shyness and work up the courage to talk about my business.
Overall on this journey I have learned, resilience, strength, and hard work truly pay off. I learned to keep going even when nothing feels like it is going right, I learned to be bold and brave with myself and I learned that you can never dream to big.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Studio offers Mosaics, Canvas Painting, Vision Boards, Jewelry Making & more!
Walk in to create or sign up for a class. I collaborate with local Artists that sell their work, teach classes, and even live paint at the studio! My overall goal is to be a hub for community, connection and creation.
Vision Boards are my favorite project to watch others make. A vision board is a visual collage of images, affirmations, and goals representing your ideal future.
In the beginning of 2025 I put art workshops on my personal vision board. In May 2025 I opened my Art Studio.
A vision board needs to be somewhere that you can see it everyday. When you set the intention to look at your board and see the goals you set for yourself, it leads you to start making more progress towards them. I love seeing other peoples goals and always feel so inspired by other peoples passions and desires.
My studio is mainly known for Mosaics. I have a variety of boards you can choose to design with colored glass. My most popular items that people mosaic are Mirrors and Flower Pots
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coastalcreationsstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastalcreationsocnj/?igsh=MTZrMG5odHJ4bXZrZA%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Coastal-Creations-Studio-61574989546371
