After retiring from teaching in June of 2010, I went back to visit some of my friends the following fall. I had been working on some jewelry for a church fund raiser and I decided to take my friends a little gift to let them know that although I loved being retired, I still missed hanging out with them. It was in that art room that I was introduced to Etsy. What a fitting place for Simply Suzie’s Handmade & Vintage Jewelry to be born: in the art room of the elementary school I taught in for 30 years! Through the encouragement of a very dear friend, I opened my Etsy shop in September of 2010. I still have to admit; I get a major thrill every time I log on to Etsy and see my jewelry displayed on the web. It looks all fancy and sharp just like what I used to see in my uncle's jewelry store when I was a little girl.

Each piece of the jewelry I make is like my child. The first time I sold a piece on Etsy, I wrapped it carefully in bubble wrap, in a box, in more bubble wrap, and in another box. I took it to the post office and asked the mail clerk if there was anything special I could do to make sure it got there safely. She laughed and said, "You sound as if you are mailing your child away; it’s just a piece of jewelry." That's just it, it's not just a piece of jewelry; it's a part of me!

I love the cool, smooth feel of the semi precious gemstones in my hands as I run the fine silver wire through them and carefully wrap the ends, once, twice, three times around each loop. Although I work mainly with fine silver wire, copper wire is my very favorite. I love the vintage look it has when wrapped, and it works perfectly with all the natural hues of the gemstones.

But before any of that wire wrapping can begin, I must plan in my mind exactly how I want my next creation to look. Once that image is complete, I handform any wire links I will be using and hammer them to add strength and shimmer. Then I lay out the stones and the hand formed links in the pattern that I have imagined. And the wrapping begins. After the piece is finished, I polish it and place it in it’s own linen box. Picture Day arrives when several pieces are patiently waiting for their turn behind the camera to shine and sparkle with all their might.

Handmade things usually last longer and shine brighter in the memory book. Handmade means love! When someone takes the time to make something by hand it means they love what they are doing or they love the person they are making it for. And I love what I do!

My Vintage Side:

There is something magical about vintage items. Perhaps its the idea that someone else held them in their hands, enjoyed their luster, benifited from their usefulness or simply smiled at the thought of owning them. Maybe it's because they have had a whole other life before my hands ever touch them. I don't really know the reason why, but I do know that I have (what some would call) an addiction to them.

I started collecting vintage items so long ago, that they are now called antiques. I have so many collections that some of my friends say coming to my house is like stepping into a museum.

The most difficult thing I have found, with my vintage shop sections, is parting with my beautiful finds. But if I don't, it would mean starting a whole new collection and my little log home in the country, simply doesn't have room for another collection!