Today we’d like to introduce you to Telor Henderson.
Hi Telor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I used to say everything happened by accident, but it all started in 2018 or ’19 while I was up late one night with some scraps of leather cord trying to figure out how to make a bracelet and posted the end product as a joke, saying that I would be adding jewelry maker to my resume, but I actually started receiving orders, so jewelry-making became a thing. After months of trying to figure out what to even name my new business, I eventually took the names of two of the most influential people in my life, my grandparents Osey and Andrew, and came up with Asey.
My grandmother is an extremely crafty woman who can make just about anything, and my grandfather always had some type of hat on that I would always find and wear as a kid, so I naturally gravitated towards hats but never knew I would end up making them. My curiosity around hatmaking began towards the end of 2020, and after some YouTube digging and research, I took a leap of faith and tried my hand at it, so what you see today is a product and testament of effort, consistency, hard work, determination, and the will to learn and try new things.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth at all! It has been fun and rewarding though. I was basically teaching myself new skills with zero knowledge or teaching and also had to learn how to run a business and juggle my day job. Also, as a creative, I can sometimes be my biggest critic, so there’s the battle of remaining confident and having those thoughts of whether this will actually work or how to even elevate this business that I had no experience in, but over time you just learn to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep a firm grip on your vision.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a custom hatmaker and also make jewelry for both men and women occasionally. Today I am most known for the custom hats that I make, and I truly enjoy what I do. I believe that a proper hat automatically makes you feel good and walk with confidence, so I’m proud that I get to do what I love and give back to people by making hats that reflect their different personalities and styles. What sets me apart from others is the versatility in my work. You will rarely if at all, see the same hat twice. I love experimenting with different patterns, textures, shapes, and concepts. I also love a good challenge, so if I’m asked to do something I’ve never done before, I won’t turn down the opportunity.
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness is both a choice and a commitment. It’s a lifestyle of practicing an attitude of gratitude. Sure things don’t always turn out how we intended for them to, but life always works out how it’s supposed to for you. My happiness is my responsibility and a daily gift I get to give to myself, and as long as I continue to pour into my own cup I’ll have an overflow for others. Life is just better for me when I choose to be happy regardless of anything going on around me.
Contact Info:
- Email: asey.inquiries@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/asey_apparel
