Meet Ashley Franke a Brainerd, MN, Jeweler.
Brainerd, MN— Ashley Franke was born and raised in the Brainerd area. She is a local artisan of handmade jewelry that spans multiple mediums, including leather, suede, beads, metal, wire and geodes. After getting her bachelor’s degree in Duluth, Minn., Ashley returned to Brainerd. She has long nurtured her love of jewelry that began by making beaded bracelets as a young girl. A few years ago, she started creating jewelry again and selling it in local shops. In 2024, she opened her new Nora Ray Handmade shop on Etsy.
Ashley attributes her love of jewelry making to her grandfather who was a jeweler and owner of Ray’s Jewelry in Little Falls, Minn. Her greatest joy is watching the end product come together and seeing someone in public wearing her creations.
Visit Brainerd carries many of her up north designs that incorporate pine cones and Minnesota charms alongside leather and wire. You also can get her custom Brainerd Warrior hoop earrings in our shop. So come in today to check out her beautiful work and support a local artist! The Visit Brainerd gift store which is located in downtown Brainerd at 214 South 7th Street. The store is open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm.
