Ashley Peterson (55) started metal fabrication and making art from the scrap parts of motorcycles as a way to both let his creative abilities grow and to sustain himself during a period in his life when his primary business was struggling.
Ashley explained he has been self-employed since 2006, but recently the amount of work he’s been receiving has drastically dropped, leaving him unable to make ends meet. He noticed other people making ornaments from metal and thought he would try it himself. He started making ornaments from scrap parts and soon noticed he had a true affinity for it.
He continued to say he started by doing small projects and restorations. Now he mostly makes trophies and awards for biking clubs, he also makes scatter cushions and vinyl.
He noted everything he crafts, originates from his imagination.
“Nothing I do can be repeated, I don’t work with a plan. I would decide what I want to do and as I go along, I would change it. Everything is unique,” said Ashley. He added that 90% of the people he works for, tell him to come up with the ideas for the crafts himself.
Aside from ornaments he also does restorations on fridges and other vintage metal works such as furniture and even toys. He added all the materials he uses he finds at scrap yards or have been donated to him. He continued all the spray work he does himself.
He noted he has been making metal ornaments since 2017, however, Covid-19 took its toll.
The divorced father of two grown children continued to say in his spare time he works on his bikes and is the public relations officer for Mestizos Riders, a social motorcycle club.
