August 11th, 2021

Welcome to Susan's World
Connection, to me, is a vital aspect of  being a maker. Whether creating for a client or for my own inventory, my hand-fabricated pieces each embody my energy and intention as a maker, yet only come truly alive on the wearer. It brings
me great pleasure to see this happen. As to what moves me, I find beauty in forms and colors everywhere, especially patterns found in nature and architecture. This has led me to accumulate a rather large palette of unique and graphic gemstones to create with and be inspired by. The gems act as a counterpoint to the various metals I work with. 

If there is any one concept that inspires and infuses my work it is the expression of the feminine divine in the physical world. We humans are compelled to adorn ourselves in one way or another. Why not do so with objects that enhance the quality of our lives, expressing energies of compassion, beauty, and wholeness?

I was truly fortunate that my upbringing fostered my imagination and an appreciation for the arts. Back then, “screen time” was limited to a few tv shows each week, phones were attached to walls, and playing outside was encouraged. Indoors, there were a treasure trove of art supplies and a well-stocked “dress-up”trunk to occupy me and my sisters. Many of our “games” were scenarios we dreamt up and acted out. Of course it was all about the costumes...some things haven’t changed.

Our family often attended cultural events, theaters, and museums. The Baltimore museum, not far from our home, boasted one of the largest collections of Matisse paintings in the country. My parents owned a massive set of full-color museum books that I loved to pore over on rainy days. With our mom, we experimented with a wide range of crafts including sewing, leather, macrame, paper flowers, string art, collage and more. I wrote and drew a lot, and made my own paper dolls, with outfits I designed myself. At some point, we started taking Sunday drives in the nearby countryside in search of interesting antiques. On these trips, I became a collector of vintage beads, costume jewelry and clothing. 

​I’ve always been a maker. Although my arts education was focused on costume design, printmaking and painting, a fascination with baubles and intricate hand-craft has remained with me throughout. Before I ever dreamed of picking up a torch, I had, at various times made jewelry from paper, macrame, antique beads, and found objects.

After ten years as a studio artist in 2D media, I decided to learn metalsmithing for jewelry making. The thing that appealed to me so much back then was the chance to play with FIRE, to make beautiful and lasting objects, to ponder and engineer all the intricate details of a design. I still love those things, not to mention that I get to use an awful lot of cool tools!

I’m excited to now be working with Amy at Aimee Jewelry and Gallery, and look forward to sharing my unique perspective with other art lovers in the community.

Susan Saul
August 2021

Darn Cuff

Susan Saul

Sonoran Sunrise Earrings

Custom Ring Sketch

Tourmaline Dream Necklace

Enchanted Forest Ring