Well, hello! Long time no see! After blogging for more than five years it's funny how easily a month (or longer) can slip by.
Let's go back to August 2010 for a minute shall we? It was then that I was feeling at a creative crossroads more than ever. I love what I do, but it isn't all that I want to do. There are other creative avenues I want to exlplore. So, since design and affordability are HUGE passions of mine, I began Ashley's List.
In the back of my mind I thought of this as an unofficial year long project. If it led to other things, great! And if not it was something I wanted to put out there. I read many many design blogs and every shelter magazine I can get my hands on. Many are great, most are aspirational. That is not to say they aren't inspirational as well, because they are. But I wanted to create something that I felt was largely missing: something that was aspirational and affordable.
It was a lot of work, a lot of fun work, but a lot of work. So, unless it led to designing people's spaces, or blogging for a publication or another blog it unfortunately wasn't something I could maintain just for fun, at least with that volume of posting.
If nothing else, it did make me examine more closely what it is I love to do more than anything. What could I do every day for the next several years and not get sick of? I know creating tops that list. Period. The end.
After that comes something fairly simple: making people happy, BUT affordability is closely tied to that.
And lastly, a common thread through all of my work, no matter what medium, is the exploration of color.
With that knowledge, none of it really new knowledge, but now very conscious knowledge, I decided to make a year long plan of creating.
The first step is patterns! I love, love, love making these. I could do this all day every day. Hours slip by when I work on these, and if that isn't a telltale sign I don't know what is.
It incorporates 1) creating 2) interior design 3) color exploration and hopefully 4) making people happy.
I envision these as wallpaper, upholstery fabrics, throw pillows, all types of surface design. In my dream world I get to license these to awesome companies.
Here is my ever-growing flickr set of patterns and below are a some samples. And I hope it goes without saying if there is any interest in licensing any patterns you see please feel free to email me at ashley.goldberg@gmail.com
the first two and the chevron one are my favorite these are awesome, great job. I started making patterns too, but mine aren't as good as this. i don't know how to make a pattern that you can't easily tell where the repeat it. maybe some day. how did you make your patterns, drawing painting, graphic designed? so far i've just used gouache on white paper, scan and use spoonflower to see the pattern repeated. any tips? thanks for sharing. they are sweet.
Posted by: Lilah | October 20, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Are any of these on Spoonflower? I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to sew stuff out of these!
Posted by: beth lemon | October 20, 2011 at 02:53 PM
thanks so much!!! I don't have any on there yet, but I was thinking I should do that with some of them : )
Posted by: ashleygoldberg | October 20, 2011 at 02:58 PM
You mean you aren't converting these to prints for Etsy? ...bummer :(
Posted by: doris | October 20, 2011 at 05:54 PM
I of course, want them as dresses. ;) love them.
Posted by: ami | October 20, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Holy Patterns, Ashley! I LOVE these! Please make these available on Spoonflower!!
Posted by: Kristine | October 27, 2011 at 04:18 PM
girl, I have missed ashley's list more than you know! but I totally understand all the hard work you put into it. my favorite blog will definitely be missed. but so happy you are back to creating full-time. these patterns are incredible!
Posted by: katie | October 31, 2011 at 08:35 PM
These are awesome, Ashley! I can definitely see them as fabric, not only for upholstery or other interior items, but as cute, 50s style dresses. Keep it up, lady :)
BubblegumCigarette
Posted by: Emily Jenks | November 02, 2011 at 10:49 AM
It was a lot of work, a lot of fun work, but a lot of work. So, unless it led to designing people's spaces, or blogging for a publication or another blog it unfortunately wasn't something I could maintain just for fun, at least with that volume of posting.
Posted by: cheap nfl jerseys | November 08, 2011 at 04:41 AM
these are all so amazing!!!
Posted by: JustBean | November 10, 2011 at 02:02 PM
These are so beautiful! Keep going!
Posted by: Amy | November 13, 2011 at 08:19 PM
You have an amazing collection of patterns! The colors and random strokes are so lovely. And couldn't agree more to 'cheap nfl jerseys's comment: This is a lot of works :D and FUN works too!
Posted by: Yee Von | July 31, 2012 at 02:38 AM