Choosing to switch career paths is not easy, but Greene entrepreneur Anita Ashley said her choice not only to brings something new to the community, but also allows her to have fun and do something she loves.
Ashley is the sole proprietor of Ceramic Garden, a shop designed to allow people of all ages to explore the wonder of creativity and make memorable gifts or other collectibles.
“People come into my shop, have a great time and walk away with something that they may have never thought they could do,” said Ashley.
Originally from Long Island, Ashley said her life’s work was in bookkeeping, a profession she began doing while in college at SUNY Stonybrook. “You don’t always know where you will end up,” said Ashley.
Ashley said her ties with upstate New York and the Greene area started years ago when her family relocated here for her father’s job. In the following years, Ashley’s family was relocated again and she herself ended up in Pennsylvania for roughly two years.
Having lived other places throughout the country, Ashley said her time traveling was beneficial. “It is good to see what is out there. I am glad I experienced it,” she said.
Working in Manhattan, Long Island and other metropolitan areas before settling in Arizona for a decade, Ashley said the decision to come back to upstate New York came easy. “It was time,” she said.
Ashley is most proud of her daughter, Jessica. “She is a great girl,” she said, describing her daughter, who now lives in Arlington Va., with her husband.
Ashley herself comes from a family of eight children and in time they all went their own ways and some of them chose to settle in Greene.
“My sister was here and I wanted to be near my family, so coming to Greene was perfect,” said Ashley.
Coming back to Greene roughly a year and a half ago, Ashley said she wanted to open her own business and wanted to have fun doing it.
Painting pottery as a hobby became her business ambition, and Ashley said she wanted to bring something new and creative to the village.
Settling in a storefront in downtown Greene, Ashley said, was the best choice. “I thought being downtown would bring it into the village better,” she explains.
Ashley supplies the space which is comfortably set with matching tables and chairs, an open, light atmosphere and the chance to pick whatever piece of pottery one may like to paint.
After purchasing pottery, patrons get one full day in the studio to paint their piece, after which Ashley will glaze it and fire it in the kiln. “It really is just so much fun,” said Ashley, who said she has just as much fun with it as her customers. She opens her studios to new painters, repeat painters, children and groups for such things as birthday parties, bachelorette parties or just group gatherings. “People can do out to dinner or to a movie together, but here they can laugh and interact and create something they will treasure forever,” she said.
Ashley said she loves being part of the community and the response she has received since arriving back in Greene has been great.
To learn more new and existing products or to paint your own pottery, call Anita at 656-5888 or visit theceramicgardenny.com.
Editor’s Note: “Chenango Stories” puts the spotlight on those people whose compelling stories you might not otherwise hear. If you know someone who is interested in telling their “Chenango Story,” contact Jill Kraft at 337-3075 or e-mail: jkraft@evesun.com.