Meet Esla Andrew

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Esla Andrew. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Esla, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

It’s taken me ten years to realize purpose doesn’t always arrive fully formed. Sometimes, it shows up in pieces, scattered across time, waiting to be assembled like a mosaic.

I started making jewelry in high school — mostly beaded pieces, just for fun. I honestly don’t even remember what drew me to it; I just had to make things. Then life shifted, as it does. I became busy with school, with kids, with the day-to-day rhythm of home life. When my children were young, I hit a plateau — that quiet restlessness that can come with the routine. I was incredibly grateful to be home with them, but I also craved something that lasted longer than a clean house.

Picking up beading again filled that space. There was something about putting on a piece I made with my own hands — something no one else had — that made me feel lit up inside. I’ve never liked to wear the same thing as everyone else. I’ve always felt a little different, maybe even born different. My name is different, my style is different — and honestly, I’ve come to love that.

But even while I was making jewelry, two questions stayed with me:
Why did this feel more fulfilling than even dancing, something I’d trained in for years?
And why had I always been so drawn to the Victorian era — not just the gilded glamour, but the grit of old mining towns and the faded elegance of antique wallpaper?

Then, recently, I was touring the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, CA. At one point, I saw a cobweb window — delicate and moody — and as I stood there staring at it, something clicked. I turned to my husband and said, “This is why I make jewelry.” I couldn’t take that window home with me, but I could recreate it — not as glass, but as a piece of wearable art. That moment tied everything together. I realized I make jewelry because it helps me hold on to the places and moments that move me — the forgotten details, the design elements you can’t bring home in a suitcase

That was the moment I truly understood my purpose: I create to honor the stories of the past — the ones whispered through ghost towns, faded photographs, weathered wood. And I want others to feel that too — to wear something that connects them to a place or person they love.

In time, I want my work to go beyond inspiration. I want it to help preserve these historic places through donations and awareness. Because legacy matters — and if I can help it live on, even in the tiniest way, then I’ve done something meaningful.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

When I try to explain what I do — and more importantly, why I do it — the image that always comes to mind is the worn wood of an old saloon bar paired with its aged brass kick plate. That visual says so much about who I am and what Narrow-Gauge Designs stands for: rustic but intentional, weathered but refined, understated but deeply felt. The wood tells stories. The brass was built to last. That’s the feeling I want my jewelry to carry.

I make pieces inspired by old mining towns, forgotten corners of the Victorian era, and the kinds of places most people overlook. My work is never about trends or flash — I’m after that lived-in elegance, the kind of beauty that feels grounded, personal, and a little mysterious.

Right now, I’m working on a new collection that I haven’t named yet, but it already feels like the most me thing I’ve ever created. It’s a mix of everything I love: subtle historical references, the balance between rough edges and soft shine, and that feeling of something both old and timeless. I’ll be honest — my ideas often outpace my current skills. But I’ve come to love that challenge. It keeps me learning, keeps me growing, and keeps me connected to the craft.

That’s also why I recently made the hard decision to pause custom orders for a bit. My customers are incredibly supportive — I owe so much to them — but I needed the space to develop this new work and finally give them something new and meaningful. They’ve waited long enough.

Outside of the studio, I’ve started a small online community for people who love exploring ghost towns, old mining camps, and historic places. We share photos, stories, and a mutual love for the forgotten. I’ve also made my first donations to two preservation societies. It’s a small beginning, but I believe in honoring the places that inspire me — and using my work to help protect them in any way I can.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been: trusting my gut (even when insecurity creeps in), embracing the timing of growth, and letting hard moments sharpen my focus.

1. Trusting my gut (and learning to come back to it)
I’ve always had a strong gut instinct — I usually know what feels right for me. But like anyone, I’ve strayed from it at times. It’s easy to get swept up in what seems to be working for others or to doubt your own path when insecurity creeps in. I’ve definitely made choices based on what I thought I should be doing rather than what felt true. But I always circle back. When I create from that place of alignment, it just clicks. It shows in the work. So the lesson for me hasn’t been about finding my gut — it’s been about learning to trust it over the noise.

2. Letting time take the time it needs
This one’s tough. I’ve had plenty of moments where I feel like time is slipping through my fingers, like I’ll never get to do all the things I dream about. But I’ve learned that growth isn’t a race. Creativity, skill, clarity — they all take time. And trying to rush the process only leads to burnout. It’s been huge for me to accept the pace of my own evolution, and to find peace in the waiting.

3. Letting setbacks fuel me
It might sound intense, but when things go wrong in my life, it actually fires me up. I get this quiet determination — like, “Okay, watch me now.” It doesn’t come from a place of bitterness, just a drive to push forward and prove to myself what I’m capable of. Those hard moments, even the small ones, have often sparked my most creative bursts. I don’t seek them out, but I’ve learned how to let them sharpen me.

So my advice to others, even though it may not be new information? Your instincts are a gift — learn to trust them and return to them when you drift. Don’t rush your growth. And don’t underestimate the power of turning a tough season into your strongest chapter.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Without question, the two people who have been most helpful in my journey are my mom, Pamela Thiessen, and my husband, Kevin Andrew. They help me in every way imaginable — emotionally, creatively, logistically — I’m not sure I’d be doing any of this without them.

My mom has been my lifelong cheerleader. She has a creative eye and a grounding presence, and she’s always believed in my ability even when I’ve doubted myself. She’s worn countless early test pieces, modeled my jewelry, worked markets by my side, and helped me navigate tough moments. She gives me space to talk things through — and somehow always knows what I need to hear.

Kevin, my husband, is truly my behind-the-scenes partner. From finances and tech help to letting me talk through design ideas at random hours — he shows up for it all. He’s filmed videos, supported me at markets, and quietly ensures I have the time, space, and encouragement to keep going. His belief in me never wavers, and that means everything.

And of course, I couldn’t do any of this without my loyal customers — they know who they are. They’ve supported me through creative shifts, cheered on my growth, and trusted me with their stories through jewelry. They’ve helped shape this brand just as much as I have, and I’m endlessly grateful for their loyalty and belief in what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.narrowgaugedesigns.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/thenarrowgauge
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/thenarrowgauge

Image Credits

Narrow-Gauge Designs