Hello! I’m Laurel Hilton. My husband Ash and I run Ash Hilton Jewelry from our home in New Zealand. We are a true family business – Ash’s sister, Siggy, works alongside him in the workshop, our dear friend, Pip, works with me in the office, and Ash’s dad, Jim, keeps us supplied with ethical beach gold that he gets from his sluicing buddies on the coast. Our team is rounded out by our 6-year-old son Henry, who’s in charge of stealing Ash’s pliers, and our 3-year-old son Truman, who makes sure there are plenty of tiny diamonds dropped between the floorboards.
I’ve lived and worked with Ash for the last ten years. He’s always insisted that he’s not an artist, which is B.S. because he totally is! From the stories I’ve heard, he was the kind of kid that made his own gliders out of balsa wood; as an adult, he sews his own jeans and makes the world’s best paper maché stormtrooper helmets.
Ash got into making jewelry back in 2003, after his mum suggested that he take a jewelry course. It was a natural fit, of course, as he’s a born maker. His idea to engrave tiny native trees onto the surface of his pieces struck a real chord with people. It also sparked this business of ours, which has allowed our family to do things I never dreamed were possible.
We knew from the very beginning that we wanted this business to be sustainable, both in an environmental sense, and for us a family. We learned pretty quickly that we’d have to be really open with our customers about the fact that we split our time equally between work and the kids. We might not be as expedient as ordering from a giant online retailer, but we touch each piece, we talk about your ring over dinner, and we totally remember you when you come back to get another tree engraved to represent your newest baby.
We owe so much of what we love about our life to the Etsy community. The people that shop here understand that weddings are wonderful, but are also big parties that get swept away in drifts of confetti and glitter. There are few durable items left after the big sweep, and we love that our rings are one of them: they become heirlooms that help tell the couple’s story to future generations.
Ash and I are always planning and scheming about what’s next for us as a family and business, and to be honest, those plans and schemes always keep us excited, but often have very little to do with what actually happens. We had an epiphany a few years back: we don’t need to grow bigger and bigger as a business; we’re pretty happy where we are. So now, the focus is about getting better at what we do so that we have more time to do the things we love.
Follow Ash Hilton on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Flickr.
Workshop and family photos by Rachael Brown Photography; jewelry photography by Laurel Hilton.
Shop the Ash Hilton Jewelry Collection
2 Featured Comments
ladyeuphrosilie from ladyeuphrosilie said 5 years ago Featured
I own a couple of Ash Hilton rings (a trio of fruit) and they are fabulous! I am really pleased to read about your creative processes and even more pleased that your business is a family enterprise. Great work!
Laura W said 5 years ago Featured
About 3 years ago I saw one of these rings on etsy and told myself that it would be my wedding band, no matter what. This past fall on a dock over a lake in Northern Ontario, my husband and I exchanged a pair of pine tree rings from this beautiful shop! So happy that we have a little piece from the Ash Hilton family. You guys are so wonderful!
131 comments
Helen Mills from 1820BagCo said 5 years ago
Beautiful items, congrats on the feature!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 5 years ago
LOVELY story...enjoyed the feature!!! Congratulations and many blessings for your continued success!!! :D
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 5 years ago
....BEAUTIFUL works of art!!! Simply Stunning!!!
littlechook from littlechook said 5 years ago
"We had an epiphany a few years back: we don’t need to grow bigger and bigger as a business; we’re pretty happy where we are" This! The rings are lovely and you guys are lovely.
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
Amazing work! Congratulations on the feature:)
DeUno from DeUno said 5 years ago
Very beautiful! Nice work! Congratulations on the feature!
Vadim Moroz from IconPainter said 5 years ago
Very nice work! Congratulations!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 5 years ago
Congrats on your feature!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
ladyeuphrosilie from ladyeuphrosilie said 5 years ago Featured
I own a couple of Ash Hilton rings (a trio of fruit) and they are fabulous! I am really pleased to read about your creative processes and even more pleased that your business is a family enterprise. Great work!
Zoui from XZOUIX said 5 years ago
such a beautiful jewelry shop! congrats :)
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful store and much success :)
Dikla Harel from Albertinaboutique said 5 years ago
Beautiful story!!!! Loved your shop!!!! Congrats on your feature!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 5 years ago
Very pretty. Congrats on the feature.
Aisha Erika B and Lamin Fatty from HipOrange said 5 years ago
Great Story. Very inspiring! Beautiful creations! Big Love from us. <3 <3 <3
KP from oldspoolquiltery said 5 years ago
Special work for a special occasion. Well done!
sewmygoodnessllc from SewMyGoodnessLLC said 5 years ago
What a great idea of having the engraved trees represent family members!!!!Wonderful! Congrats!
Laila Leja from handmadegiftsbyLaila said 5 years ago
You have made so many nice items! Congratulations on the feature!
Laura from PetalAlley said 5 years ago
I love the idea of a family business and it sounds like you manage it all so well. Congrats. :)
Renee from RandMhandmade said 5 years ago
Great story..you make everything look like fun!! Love your shop!!
Kim from RiverHomeVintage said 5 years ago
A talented family with beautiful ideas.
Bernadeta from LaReveuseVintage said 5 years ago
Gorgeous rings!
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 5 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Laurel & Ash for sharing your lovely story, beautiful art and inspiring epiphany with us. Peace.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 5 years ago
It sounds so familiar to work with kids around. It is such a blessing. Beautiful shop. Congratulations on the feature.
Christina from TheWildPlum said 5 years ago
Delightful! Congratulations!
Kelly from treasurebooth said 5 years ago
This made my morning! Your jewelry shop was one of my first major discoveries when I originally joined Etsy 7 years ago. Still love those power pole earrings :) Congrats on the well deserved feature.
Hey Chica from HeyChica said 5 years ago
Your jewelery is quite unique. I enjoyed reading your story and having a peek behind the scenes, congrats!
Monica from Monicaj said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Nakkashe from Nakkashe said 5 years ago
Love the style of your jewelry, congratulations
Tina St. John from TinaStJohnJewelry said 5 years ago
Wonderful story..Love what the kids do. Ha! Congratulations!
Diana from LeSeForYou said 5 years ago
Nice story and wonderful design! ☆CONGRATULATIONS☆
BonTons from BonTons said 5 years ago
Beautiful work, Congratulations on the Feature!
Craft Adorned from CraftAdorned said 5 years ago
Fantastic feature! Congrats and thanks for sharing!
Lisa from StoneRowStudio said 5 years ago
Lovely designs! Congratulations and best wishes for continued success!
Nancy from HerMajestysPug said 5 years ago
Bravo!!! J'adore your beautiful work!!! Congrats on being featured!! And here's to beaucoup more success!!! Pugs & kisses
Nancy from HerMajestysPug said 5 years ago
Bravo!!! J'adore your beautiful work!!! Congrats on being featured!!! And here's to beaucoup more success!!! Pugs & kisses
ACR from WoodsyWools said 5 years ago
Great pieces, congrats!
Judy W from JudyHandmadeCreation said 5 years ago
Congrats on your feature!
NeatoKeen from NeatoKeen said 5 years ago
Love the family affair! Your designs are so charming. I particularly love the trees and tiny diamonds. Congratulations - wishing you continued success on Etsy!
TwigBerryStudio from TwigBerryStudio said 5 years ago
You have such a beautiful studio! It sounds like you all truly love what you do. I love the engraved trees for each member of the family, and I love how you incorporated the tiny diamonds into the ring. I especially love how you pull elements from nature into some of your pieces. So much fun! I'm looking forward to browsing through the rest of your lovely shop!
Shulamit Raanan from ShuliDesigns said 5 years ago
Wonderful feature and amazing Shop! Thanks for sharing with us!!! Congrats :)
Jacqueline from JacquelineTribble said 5 years ago
Beautiful work!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 5 years ago
Lovely designs, awesome feature!
Second Studio from secondstudio said 5 years ago
Congrats on your feature! Great idea!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful story, beautiful shop!! All the best!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
Awesome design, work and shop!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
Congratulations!!
Andrii from OakKitchenBoards said 5 years ago
Beautiful!!!!!!!
Stacey from GraphixLLC said 5 years ago
Beautiful story and designs! Congrats on the feature!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 5 years ago
Beautiful life story, beautiful designs. Congratulations to the entire business team of Ash Hilton Jewelry shop.
Sarah Milligan from iHeartStitchArt said 5 years ago
Your story made me smile and smile... it's obvious you have a lot of fun together! Congrats and wishing you much continued success!
Liz and Phil Van D from lizystuff said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs! Congratulations on the feature!
Catherine Modschiedler from veryvintagecath said 5 years ago
Lovely feature. Wishing you lots of joy and success.
Laura W said 5 years ago Featured
About 3 years ago I saw one of these rings on etsy and told myself that it would be my wedding band, no matter what. This past fall on a dock over a lake in Northern Ontario, my husband and I exchanged a pair of pine tree rings from this beautiful shop! So happy that we have a little piece from the Ash Hilton family. You guys are so wonderful!
Cheridah Spaulding from CheridahSpaulding said 5 years ago
Beautiful work and beautiful location and beautiful relationship. Much blessings.
Alaskalisky from AlaskaGoldRush said 5 years ago
Awesome!
Shelly Daood from BoundtobeCreative said 5 years ago
Love your rings! I love the family business thing you got going on...so cool! Congratulations on the feature!
Jema Watts from BadgeShack said 5 years ago
I love your story and your items. May have to request an anniversary ring from you in the future.
CharyCoronado from BusyGypsy said 5 years ago
Very beautiful business and your dress is gorgeous! Congratulations!
sugarflowerdesign from sugarflowerdesign said 5 years ago
So, so excited to see Ash and Laurel featured! Congratulations to both of you on the fantastic coverage. It's awesome that the world gets a chance to learn more about the lovely people behind this work, and their gentle footprint on the world as they make it.
Ash and Laurel from ashhilton said 5 years ago
You guys!! Just waking up in New Zealand to all of these amazing comments and just bawling away in my little office. We feel so, so incredibly grateful for this whole community. Thanks for all the kind words, you've made my day-week-year-life.
Natalia Snemis from expressyourself said 5 years ago
Awesome design! Congrats on the feature!
stacey from TessCloset said 5 years ago
Love it!! Congrats on the feature!
Megan C from AlaskaBagCompany said 5 years ago
wow amazing shop! Congrats
Chizuko from tamakiistanbul said 5 years ago
A happy family:)
Amber Hickey from BesosjewelrybyAmber said 5 years ago
Such beautiful and unique pieces! Congratulations on the wonderful feature! :)
Kelly from LucyRoseDesigns said 5 years ago
Great to see a fellow Kiwi being featured :) Your work is amazing, I loved reading your about page and that family photo is just gorgeous!! Congratulations on the feature and all your success so far!!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 5 years ago
Love your photography! Great shop, congratulations on the future.
Elan from HapaGirls said 5 years ago
Very Inspiring...! Love your craft....!! Congrats on the feature.
kwill49 said 5 years ago
Such engaging designs! Seriously, so happy to see Ash and Laurel featured, along with the special contributions by Henry and Truman. The happiness and collaborative environment with Siggy and Pip really come through in the pictures. And of course the jewelry is lovely.
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 5 years ago
Love the way the whole family is involved, makes the creations even more wonderful. Your designs are lovely. Best wishes in 2016!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 5 years ago
Incredible designs! I really love your workspace. Congrats on the feature!
Mike and Jess from JessiesOrientalRugs said 5 years ago
I love your rings, congrats on the feature!
wanida kunchiang from wanidacotton said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations!
Caroline from Carolinelenox said 5 years ago
Your rings are beautiful!
silkyskyjewelry from silkyskyjewelry said 5 years ago
Ohhh i love them all. And love the last photo too! Congrats!!
Jenicia from PaperType said 5 years ago
"...we touch each piece, we talk about your ring over dinner, and we totally remember you when you come back to get another tree engraved to represent your newest baby." This just perfectly embodies what a family business should be. Love it.
Sandra from PreserveStudio said 5 years ago
Congratulations on being featured. Very deserving as your rings are unique and beautiful. Best wishes for continued success on Etsy.
Sibora Reed from AquarianAgeGems said 5 years ago
So Awesome! I love your idea for using recycled materials! Great designs too :)
Etrennes from Etrennes said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs and work! Wishing you all the best for continued success!!!
Patti Jacob from envisionandCREATE said 5 years ago
Love your designs! Unique and special! Best wishes and continued success and enjoyment in your work!
QQ Lee from LittleBlueMoon said 5 years ago
always find it amazing how ppl can handmake jewellery...
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 5 years ago
Beautiful items, congrats on the feature!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 5 years ago
Lovely work! Congrats on the feature!
Carol from MasCollected said 5 years ago
Your feature brought me much joy. I love when homage is paid to trees. We owe so much to trees. They have such symbolism. What wonderful designs and rings. Really lovely.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Beautiful work!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 5 years ago
Such a sweet read! Congratulations on the feature and achieving your goals and dreams as a family. You're an inspiration! :)
Ninew Noikhong from IvoryTreeHouse said 5 years ago
Nice works, congrats!
Rasa Rabaciene from PRINTDECOstudio said 5 years ago
Your works are stunning!
Julia K Walton from FireHorseVintageHQ said 5 years ago
I love the rings with trees on them - unique and beautiful :o)
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 5 years ago
Gorgeous designs! Congratulations on the feature and continued success!
Indigo Canyon Soap Co. from INDIGOCANYONSOAPCO said 5 years ago
Your work is fantastic! I think your "epiphany" is wonderful. That's what makes it all worthwhile. Enjoy and best of luck to all of you. I wish I had some advice on missing pliers and tiny items in floorboards, but I've not mastered that in my home yet either. :)
rosebudsvintage from WillowsWear said 5 years ago
Kudos on the Feature and love the story of your growth. Much continued success for a young couple.
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 5 years ago
Love the story, love NZ, great shop, congrats on the feature!
Seipelo kele from seipeloart said 5 years ago
congrats beautiful work!
Pamela Hiltunen from CVCVintage said 5 years ago
Simply STUNNING.. xoxo
Mysiolina from WatercolorGardens said 5 years ago
Very, very nice family bussines. Your rings are so beautiful!!! Congratulations!
Elena Muchnik from lenkamuchnik said 5 years ago
You are great! Thank you for your story about yourself!
Linda Foerster from HollyCreekHome said 5 years ago
Love your designs with their simple elegance and grace! May have to get one for my husband who is in need of a new wedding ring after 40 years!
Brooke from BrookeJewelry said 5 years ago
Lovely jewelry and story. Congratulations on the feature, success and finding that "sweet spot".
Nadia B from BasicKnitwear said 5 years ago
Congrats on your feature!
Vintage De Mar from VintageDeMar said 5 years ago
When family comes together, magical things start to happen! The best of luck to you all !!!
Prayer Notes by Cynthia from PrayerNotes said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Family makes everything come together, nicely! Much joy and continued success!
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 5 years ago
these are beautiful pieces! Congratulations on the feature :)
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 5 years ago
Beautiful rings, congrats on the feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 5 years ago
Lovely pieces and great work space! I enjoyed reading your story. Congrats on the feature!
Katie Anne from MiddleCoast said 5 years ago
so sweet, so romantic, so my husband and I <3
GypsyInMyBlood from GypsyInMyBlood said 5 years ago
What gorgeous work you do! Congrats on the feature!
CHIC FLAG from ChicFlag said 5 years ago
What handmade is all about, great feature! Congrats......
Elizabeth from littleglamour said 5 years ago
love love love your story - reminds me of exactly why I started my own jewellery business....best of luck to you all from snowy Canada!
Snazzy Living from Snazzyliving said 5 years ago
Unique designs. Love the collection.
Pathumwadee Pathumwan from Hippiegardenshop said 5 years ago
lovely design : ) Congrat your shop !
Yarn shop from PetiteWool said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature!
Emily Lim from shuqi said 5 years ago
Beautifull work. Congratulation for be featured.
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 5 years ago
beautiful family story! congrats on the feature and lots of success in future
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 5 years ago
Nice ! Very classy stuff.
Camille Turner from DelicateAndLayered said 5 years ago
I love your jewelry and I think it's cool that you get to work with your family .
Ginger Faye from gfayedesigns said 5 years ago
Lovely work!
Elena Sviridonova from MilenaAleksandra said 5 years ago
Good job, great idea!
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 5 years ago
Beautiful personalized rings. Congratulations on you business success!
Katyooshjewelry jewelry from Kattyoosh said 5 years ago
Great Story. Very inspiring!
Patricia Ramirez from patsdesign said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop, Congrats!!!
Sara from UrbanFarmhouseTampa said 5 years ago
Love your story!
Rebecca Handy from RebeccaHJewellery said 5 years ago
What a brilliant read - lovely work
Matana from MatanaJewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations of being featured!
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 4 years ago
Just getting caught up on the blogs, absolutely beautiful rings!! Congratulations!!
Rebeca from SecretDiamonds said 4 years ago
Great Work!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 4 years ago
I love the idea about engraved ring. I love it.
Stephanie Allen Heirloom Hourglass from UnitySandCeremony said 3 years ago
LOVE!!
Julie Frolova from KissedByFireJewelry said 1 year ago
I came to the same epiphany last year: I couldn’t handle the load of work I had to do all by myself when I miscalculated and focused on expanding my tiny little niche....Instead I will reel it back and focus on perfecting what I have done and learning more. It is incredibly difficult to run a business on your own as a single mom, so I doubt I will ever get so good to get featured, but I get so much insight from reading about other shop owner’s experiences and I can relate to so many of them surprisingly....I wish everyone a successful new year ahead and don’t forget about living life as you work - it is so easy to lose oneself....