Meet the Artist Behind Ashkeepers

Handcrafted porcelain urns made with heart, on Worimi land in Port Stephens, NSW

My name is Ashley Fiona, and I’m a ceramic artist living on Worimi land in Port Stephens, New South Wales. I share this beautiful life with my partner Matthew, our three daughters — Olive, Banksii, and Juniper — our spirited dog Poppy, a wise little turtle named Herbie, and a flock of eight cheeky chickens.

Every piece you see in my shop is handmade — shaped, rolled, carved, and cast with my own two hands in a small, soulful studio. There are no machines, no production lines. Just me, clay, and quiet intention.

Why I Create Ashkeepers

Bespoke porcelain urns for ashes, designed to hold memory, love, and light

The heart of my practice lies in the creation of Ashkeepers — one-of-a-kind handmade urns designed to honour the lives of those we’ve loved and lost.

These porcelain urns are more than vessels. They’re tender, sacred tributes — made to bring beauty, dignity, and comfort to the often silent ritual of grief. Each Ashkeeper is intentionally spherical, symbolic of wholeness and the cycle of life and death. Once inverted, the lid becomes a candle holder — a gentle invitation to pause, remember, and celebrate.

Whether used to hold cremation ashes, treasured keepsakes, or both, an Ashkeeper becomes a deeply personal part of your home and your healing journey.

Rooted in Love and Loss

A personal story of grief, healing, and art as remembrance

My work is born from my own experience with loss. I was just 13 when my mother died in May 2000. I still remember the plastic container that held her ashes — stored away in a dark cupboard, unseen and untouched. It felt wrong. She was elegant, vibrant, and full of life — everything that container was not.

I wanted to create something different: a beautiful, bespoke urn that reflects the essence of the person it holds. Something to nourish the soul and invite connection. A piece to be seen, held, and cherished.

One of my own Ashkeepers now holds treasures from my mum’s life — a few tiny keepsakes, filled with meaning. Sometimes, I light the candle in the lid and sit beside it, honouring her memory. It’s part of my ongoing healing.

Honouring Grief with Beauty and Care

Supporting families through loss with meaningful handmade urns

Grief is not one-size-fits-all. Every loss is different. Every story sacred. My Ashkeepers are created with this in mind — with space, compassion, and the belief that art can gently support the grieving heart.

Through this work, I honour my own story while holding space for yours. My greatest hope is that these sacred vessels offer you comfort, connection, and a way to celebrate your loved one with beauty and grace.

My Support Tribe

I’m surrounded by a beautiful circle of support — my greatest champions.

At the heart of it all is my remarkable husband, Matthew, and our darling daughters, Olive, Banksii, and Juniper. Then there’s Poppy, our quirky rescue dog and ever-faithful shadow.

Matthew is my right hand in the studio — always ready to lend his clever mind to building, engineering, and making the impossible possible. He’s not only an exceptional dad, but a keen fisherman and calm anchor in our days.

Poppy rarely leaves my side while I work. She nudges me to take breaks, reminds me to play, explore, and simply be present. She’s the studio’s heartbeat.

This loving tribe surrounds me with unwavering belief, support, and understanding. They are the warm, grounding presence behind everything I create.