Ashley Wallace was eight years old when her grandmother first taught her the art of beadwork, and she still studies the first piece that they collaborated on whenever she gets stuck and needs inspiration. Wallace says that beadwork gives her a connection with ancestors and immediate family members who practiced the craft and who have passed on. She actively researches historical Chickasaw art and southeastern designs, constantly seeking out new techniques and approaches. She also never revisits the same design twice, meaning that each artwork of hers is unique and carries a part of her personality.