Sue From AllofaSutton

In this week’s featured crafter, we talk to Sue from AllofaSutton. Sue is a fellow member of the Colorado Etsy Mile High Team. Read on to learn about how Sue’s lost and found treasure turned her into a jewelry maker.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

My name is Sue Sutton and I’ve been making jewelry since I was 24, in radio since 26, video memory making, stamping, and scrap-booking since my 30’s. I have a fantastic husband and two wonderful boys-Ryan, 17 and Kyle, 13 (my finest creations!) I grew up in Wisconsin, lived in NYC and Mamaroneck, NY San Diego, CA and settled in Greeley, CO

Where can we find you? (website, craft shows, etc.)

I have an Etsy store, www.allofasutton.etsy.com I blog at www.suesutton.blogspot.com and www.bigcountry979.com/pages/sue.html. I twitter-follow me as SSdeejay, and I’ve just started on Flickr as suzignarly. I don’t do craft shows regularly anymore, so reach me through my sites!

What first got you interested in your craft?

For jewelry making: I was working at a health club in NYC and saw a pair of handmade earrings in the lost and found and thought, “cool, I could make those.” No one ever reclaimed them so I took them for inspiration and started making earrings for my friends. In the beginning they didn’t even have ear hooks on them! Friends and relatives started giving me their old broken costume and vintage jewelry and I was off and running! I eventually added necklaces, bracelets and ‘junk’ pins to my collections.

For video making: I took radio and TV classes at the local college and got hooked on video production and have been making memory videos ever since- banquets, sports, senior class, graduation, memorial, etc. It’s a seasonal job and there isn’t a lot of money in it but the creative process is very satisfying.

For stamping and scrapping: I blame my friend Julie for getting me hooked! If only there was enough time for all the supplies I’ve bought over the years *sigh* The great thing is now I’m having fun doing mixed media ATC’s and ACEO’s with all my different supplies…as soon as something turns out right, I’ll list it in my Etsy shop.

Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).

I love to re-purpose and upcycle old stuff into new, so anything is a target for my creating! My hubby says, “you use stuff that has no business being jewelry” I know, isn’t it great?! My pins in particular are mini pieces of mixed media art-more fun than expensive and always one of a kind. I’ve discovered that ladies don’t always like to wear pins so I’m expanding into 4 x 6 artwork…it’s jewelry for your walls! Look for those soon on my etsy site along with ATC’s and ACEO’s

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I am a radio personality on several stations part time and do freelance video projects as they come up. I’m on the volunteer board of our local swim club and I do alot of volunteer work with my sons’ activities and school. I love to walk, ride my bike, swim laps and garden. I have a Zuma scooter and ride whenever it is nice out.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I know alot about country music songs, so if you need a song title or artist with only a few words of the song to go on-I’m your gal! I encourage you to visit my sites and I’d love to visit yours! Feel free to send me links of your work, blogs, etc and I’ll check you out!