Jonathan Ashley was stationed in Hawaii during his service in the Marine Corps, then lived in various other U.S. locales, working in restaurants and interior design, before he and his partner settled in Arlington five years ago.
Their Ballston apartment now doubles as a glass art studio called JDAsh Design, where Ashley makes colorful suncatchers ($20-$90), plant propagators ($18-$45) and mosaics crafted from discarded mirrors and salvaged picture frames (starting at $36).
He also designs custom stained-glass windowpanes, such as a brilliant composition of peonies and wisteria that a client recently commissioned as a surprise anniversary gift.
His Pride-themed pieces, which include reflective glass objects ranging from rainbow window ornaments and mobiles to soldered trans flags, are especially popular.
“At first, I didn’t know how they would be received,” Ashley says. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the reception and how it’s affected my business. It makes me really proud when people purchase these works and display them in their front windows or their yards.”