I can’t remember a time when I was not making something with my hands--from stringing dried cantaloupe seeds into a necklace as a young child, to sewing my own clothes as a teenager, to growing into an adult who gravitates to creative pursuits.
Before finding the pleasure of making bead jewelry, I delved deeply into the handcrafts of pottery, macramé, and off-the-loom weaving. There were offers to purchase my work for which I was flattered, but when I thought of becoming a craft artist for a living it seemed a risky endeavor. I decided instead to join the family business and found expression in the visual arts as a film editor and producer of medical and educational media.
After 20 years, I moved from the film business into other work but always the need for creative expression bubbled to the surface. In the Spring of 2003 when turquoise and coral jewelry was popular in department stores I decided to try my hand at stringing beads for myself.
After making a few necklaces I was hooked. I immersed myself in the process and techniques of creating beaded jewelry, taking classes with several expert teachers to learn the skills of stringing, knotting, finishing and wire-work. I also soaked up knowledge of the vast selection of semi-precious stones, pearls and hand made glass beads and how to use silver to enrich designs. I was challenged by the opportunity to create pattern by combining colors and shapes. Best of all, when this “art work” was done I had a new piece of contemporary jewelry.
When I wore my jewelry, responses I received from friends and strangers told me I hadn’t lost the touch of creating art. I hope you will enjoy wearing one of my designs, which are meant to reflect your own personal aesthetic aura and to enhance your beauty and individual style. I also hope that the pleasure you receive wearing the jewelry equals the pleasure I have had in making it.
Sue Campus
New York, NY