Local Las Vegas jewelry artist Ashleigh Edwards is quickly establishing a name for herself and her designs. With an exclusive collection featured at Gaia Flowers, a presence at the popular arts and music street festival First Friday, and an online Etsy boutique, Edwards is gaining popularity while offering shoppers one-of-a-kind creations.

I first discovered Edwards at a First Friday event. Her jewelry caught my eye because her pieces are so unique. The designs are very earthy and organic while maintaining a very modern and feminine style. While Edwards’ pieces have a certain Boho sense to them (many of her pieces are re-purposed and eco-friendly), they’re not what I would label as “granola.” Hey, I’m all for saving the earth, but I don’t hug trees and wear Birkenstocks. So while I can appreciate upcycled fashion, I certainly want to remain chic. And I can do that as I wear jewelery from Ashleigh Edwards Designs.

Edwards describes her line as “global glamour.” She finds the process of jewelry design to be therapeutic. And while Edwards has been designing for over six years, influenced by her mother’s passion and her father’s insistence that she can accomplish anything, she has been selling her pieces in Las Vegas for just the past three months. “I can’t keep up,” says Edwards. “I didn’t expect for it to be like this in just three months,” she adds, referring to the momentum of her sales.

“I was thrilled to have Ashleigh join us,” says Gaia Flowers Head of Marketing Heidi Kyser. “I like that fact that she has some pieces that are upcycled and repurposed. That’s a big part of Gaia, being eco-friendly.”

Prices are comfortably affordable, with some necklaces priced as low as $20. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind, but they all look beautiful when layered together. So when purchasing an Ashleigh Edwards Designs piece, considering purchasing two or three at a time for a hip, fashionable layered look.

Edwards will have a booth where she will be selling her jewelry at this coming First Friday, which is this Friday. Look for her near The Gypsy Den at 213 East Colorado on August 6 between 6 pm and 9 pm. During First Friday, visit Gaia Flowers at 4 East Charleston, where you can find an Ashleigh Edwards Designs collection sold exclusively at this shop. If you can’t make it to Las Vegas, visit Edwards’ Etsy boutique at www.etsy.com/shop/Ashleighedwards.

WIN ASHLEIGH EDWARDS DESIGNS
You can win this fabulous braided bracelet with a floral design. Wear now or in the Fall. Just leave a comment below letting me know what you think of Ashleigh Edwards Designs or tweet me at www.twitter.com/lollieshopping.  Receive one entry for a blog post comment and an additional entry for a Twitter reply, for a limit of two entries per person. Giveaway offer ends August 31, 2010.

Other Jewelry Designs from Ashleigh Edwards Designs:

This piece is my favorite. I tried it on, and it felt so good, laying flat against my neck. The stones felt so cool and comforting.

These two necklaces are sold separately, but look how great they look layered.

I adore these earrings Ashleigh Edwards gave me as a "thank you" for this blog post. I wear them all the time and I find women staring.

The artist Ashleigh Edwards wearing one of her own designs.