I've been wanting to share with my readers examples of talented Etsy artists whose work reflects The Recycle-ista's principles of recycling and reusing. Today's featured artist, (the first!) is Suzanne from threepeats jewelry. I had the chance to ask Suzanne a few questions about her shop and her work.
How long have you been making jewelry? I’ve been making it for sale for two years but I started before that making it for myself, family and friends
What inspired you to incorporate vintage/recycled materials into your work? I had all this vintage jewelry that I had collected for years. I always admired the workmanship in vintage pieces and I love how old plastic simulates so many other things like stone or glass. But I never wore any of it because it was too heavy or too fragile or too tacky. So I started with some broken pieces I had and reassembled them into necklaces I would wear.
Why do you feel that's important? I enjoy giving new purpose to discarded things. I always find boxes of broken vintage jewelry at garage sales and flea markets and love reworking the beautiful chains and beads into something more modern and wearable. I feel like I’m paying homage to the craftspeople of the past. A lot of today’s costume jewelry styles actually come from ideas used in the past...like multi chain necklaces and chandelier earrings. Besides, recycling materals keeps my costs down which means I can offer my jewelry at very affordable prices.
What's your favorite item in your store right now? I just listed a new necklace called P B and J. (see photo above) It includes some of my favorite one of a kind beads, some of the handmade felt beads I work with and two of my favorite colors, purple and butterscotch.
Would you love to 'quit your day job' and create full time, or are you happy keeping it as a hobby/side job? No, I’m happy keeping it as a hobby. I try to do a lot of promoting but it doesn’t come naturally so I don’t think I could ever support my family doing it. And I love my day job which is teaching dance.
Anything else you'd like to share? I have another blog that’s not related to my jewelry. It’s about living in NYC and I try to keep it light and funny (you have to have a sense of humor to survive in the Big Apple.) http://sittlife.blogspot.com/
Thanks Suzanne for sharing your beautiful work with us!
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