Love and Worn | Ashley Houlihan

I love leather, I love local, and I love handmade.

I’ve been drawn to jewelry and crafts since kindergarten, even selling beaded necklaces to kids in my elementary school. Art was always the highlight of my day, but I went to college to get a business degree because I should “get a job, right?” It wasn’t until my senior year in college that I took Fiber Arts and fell in love. I was teaching other kids in that class and giving suggestions to everyone on where they could go with projects. But by that time it was a bit too late to redo college.

Seven years later, while working at Anthropologie, I started making jewelry and accessories, adding something special and focal to my outfits. Tons of customers wanted to buy them off my body. Making jewelry and selling it is the first job (besides being a wife and mom) that I have loved! It makes me happy to tears that others love it too.

I care deeply about the environment, and I love leather, so I upcycle unwanted leather into jewelry and continue its story. My company, Love and Worn, is a rustic, nature-inspired jewelry and accessories company based in Billings. I draw, ink, burn, cut, stitch, and shape leather in a variety of ways, designing each jewelry item or accessory to be easy to style, memorable, soft and comfortable.

My most featured design is a feather-leaf, crafted into headbands, earrings, bracelets, and hair clips. Other accessories and gifts include a variety of cuff bracelets, state leather decal hats and necklaces, leather braided/pendleton fabric headbands, and more.

Loved once upon a time, then forgotten;
Re-purposed Leather Goods,
given Love and Worn again

With two little ones younger than 3, finding time is difficult. But I know this is just a season, and I have cut back to be more present with my kids. But I always think that God has given me this talent, and if I don’t create, no one will get to enjoy it, and that would make my heart sad. Seeing a girl look and feel cute for a wedding or date or just around the house, and knowing God has been leading me to do this, it fills my heart daily with gratefulness. In the future I could change what I make or teach others. Honestly, I have no idea what lies ahead, but I do know my love of Art will always be at the center.

I forage for inspiration from my surrounding home and camping travels. I display a few Love and Worn items at the Ebon Coffee Collective. Check out my website or follow me on Facebook to see my full product display at an upcoming show. I love Billings, and I love creating beauty and art in this town.