Ashley Keeper is the founder of KEEPER, a jewelry collection inspired by aerodynamics. Her pieces, sculptural and almost mystical in style, explore the liminal space between motion and suspension. We're always drawn to people who follow their curiosity or hone in on a particular obsession in this way, so we had to get a look into Keeper's mind.
What’s the best compliment you received recently?
I’ve been told a few times that I give off Sara Connor vibes from "Terminator." That’s some badass energy and I’ll take it!
With the collection, we received an awesome product review recently. In explaining a customer’s purchase: “Because it looks like a relic from an alien race.”
What’s the last thing you read?
"The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin
Click the mymind + button in your browser to save this as a book. Search "creative" or "Rubin" or "books" to find it later.
Filled with some beautiful reminders, this book gave me the permission to create with no audience or outcome in mind. Carving out time to do so is healing the suppressed artist within this designer.
What do you want to read next?
"How to Create A Mind by Ray Kurzweil"
My partner just gifted me a signed copy after your founder recommended the book to me. I’m looking forward to reading it.
A quote that’s meaningful to you?
Designer Massimo Vignelli spoke at my university not long before he passed. Hearing all his achievements, a grad student in the back was eager to know how successful creatives get their first big break. The answer still moves me to this day.
“When a fire is burning, it’s impossible not to see it.”
Highlight the text, quotation marks included, to save it to your mind as a quote.
Best gift you’ve ever given?
I’ve had the pleasure of working on some beautiful custom engravings for customers. There are two in particular that come to mind:
The most recent was helping a group with a gift for their friend after his mom passed, with a message in her memory.
After the 2020 explosions in Beirut, I released a style named BEY for Beirut airport. (Each design is named after a different airport code.) A customer gave their Lebanese partner this necklace with the message, “This Too Shall Pass.”
I’m honored to be involved in making such special gifts possible. And in general, I believe in the power of design to transcend physical objects into modern heirlooms. That’s why I named the brand KEEPER.
Where do you want to travel to next?
Anywhere in nature.
What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?
I would fabricate large scale sculptures of my jewelry pendants and install them in different landscapes around the world.
What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?
Getting a new motorcycle to go riding again. I sold my first cafe racer earlier this year, while moving from Mexico to Germany.
What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?
The paracompass from the first "Dune" film. I’m a huge sci-fi fanatic and find Villeneuve’s work profoundly inspiring.
Right click an image to save it to your mind. On mobile, long press and share it to the mymind app.
A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?
The Grasshopper plug-in for my 3D software. I’ve always wanted to explore parametric modeling and am developing a collection with some very cool surface details at the moment.
The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?
As a recovering New Yorker, @subwaycreatures takes me right back to the zoo.
If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?
I dreamed to build a treehouse as a kid. I loved to build things so my brother and I tried to make one. Apparently a permit was required where we lived, so it was torn down.
My inner child lives in a treehouse. While living in the jungle of Mexico, my apartment really felt like one. Being immersed in the trees acted as a constant reminder just how small I am. My vast inner world shrinks and it’s the ultimate cure for overthinking. ⚘
