About the Designer

 Ashleigh George-Carter

In the beginning: As a young girl growing up in Africa, I can remember sitting mesmerized on my mother’s old brass bed, as I carefully examined the enchanting treasures hidden in my grandmother’s jewelry boxes. The rich smell of the velvet lined leather boxes, filled with delightful jewels that sparkled and gleamed, captivated me for hours, and I knew then, my lifelong love of jewelry had begun.

Part of the journey: In 2004 I gave my life to the Lord, and it was not long after that I felt God calling me to find a way to share his WORD by using the passion and talent he had given me to make jewelry. It was a heavy burden on my heart and the first few pieces I designed never came out in the casting(which had never happened to me before). Trying not to feel discouraged, I thought and knew that if the enemy was trying to thwart these plans, God must definately be in them. It took several tries and many many hours to create what I was aiming for, and it continues to be a work in progress. My goal was to create beautifully decorated, classic pieces, but at the same time they needed to have the meaningful, encouraging and strengthening scripture on the back, it seems to be a natural thing now, but it was not easy in the beginning.   Writing Scripture on the pieces is something I do not take lightly, before I choose or feel led to them - I fast and surround myself in sermons (mainly from Charles Stanley and Tony Evans). As I get ready to write the verses out, it is a beautifully humbling experience, I often find myself SO excited as the words become more and more alive, but then also feel near to tears most of the time as I start to write them out. As it says in:

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Design inspiration: The Bible is the backbone, but I also love historic and meaningful objects (many of which you will see are used as the 'props' in the photos on the site). Antique furniture, calligraphy, and antique jewelry are some of my favorites. For me, all of the above hold the rich stories and memories of their creators and the people that have loved them. I imagine and hope my pieces of jewelry will do the same - to stand the test of time and gather their own stories, as they are loved and passed down through generations.

A lil bit of background: Life has taken me all around the world, from where I grew up in Zimbabwe, and met my special husband, to South Africa (to study 4 years of Jewelry Design and Manufacturing) then to the United States, and even to the Bahamian Islands, where I lived with my husband, two children, three dogs and four cats. Change has been in the air recently, and our family with my two beautiful children aged 7 and 8 are now experiencing a bit of 'Africa". But for right now, my 'Jewelry Journey' has allowed me to set up shop in Texas, where Devoted Dove Jewelry has found its home, please enjoy our site.