Beauty for Ashes Designs
Artist StatementI am an artist, speaker, and survivor leader who has dedicated my life to fighting human trafficking. When I was younger, I could not physically escape from child trafficking, so I found my escape and my voice for the very first time through my art, music, and writing. My favorite mediums I use for my unique pieces are a combination of wood burning, watercolors, and polymer clay.
Years ago, I discovered my love for working with clay during art therapy. Now, I make beads from polymer clay for my handcrafted, survivor made jewelry collection Beauty for Ashes Designs. I have also found a lot of healing from making artwork and jewelry using a soldering iron to create wood burning designs. The same type of tool that was once used for torture and for branding me with, is now the tool I use to burn scripture from God's word into my wood pieces. God has taken something that was once used to harm me and is now using it for a purpose to raise awareness about injustice. Read more about me on the Homepage> or read my Testimony>. To see more of my artwork on Facebook click the button below. -Ashlie Bailey
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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2
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In the clay making process, the designer molds the clay into the shape that he desires. For the clay to hold its shape and become strong, it must first pass through heat. When it passes through the heat, the vessel is not burned. It becomes stronger. Isaiah 64:8 …We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand. Gods word does not say that we will never go through the fire, but in Isaiah 43:2 it says …When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Just like when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went through the furnace and were not burned; when we walk through the fire, God promises He will be with us and we will not be burned. What should destroy us, God can use to actually make us stronger. Even when we go through the fire, we are not ever left in ashes. When I take an ordinary piece of wood and turn it into art, it also takes heat. In the beginning of the wood burning process, there are lots of ashes. When the design is complete, there are no more ashes. The only evidence of the fire that is left is the beauty of the design. God can take our ashes and brokenness, and make it into the beautiful. Even in the fire, we are not destroyed. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.