Sue designs and makes a range of acrylic jewellery using a process she developed herself, called ‘Fossilized Plastic’. With this process of dying and embossing plastic Sue is able to capture the fine details of leaves and plants creating a fossil like surface. This is transformed in to bold, colourful jewellery full of rich patterns.
We asked Sue a few questions about her work and inspiration.
Describe your work in 3 words?
Wild, Colourful, Acrylic.
What inspires you/your work?
My inspiration is to share what has cheered me up and got me through the tough times. It all started at a difficult period of my life when I was going through a tough time. In order to cope with it I started to empty my head of everything and just be in the moment. I become aware of what was around me. I became enormously comforted by how beautiful the world is. So I started working with plants leaves and flowers and developed this method of capturing the detail of the plants . The leaves perish in the process so each piece is unique as all leaves and flowers differ from all others. They are a memory to each individual leaf. I want to convey the narrative of nature claiming back the man made so I confront the synthetic with the wild, by using plants to produce beautiful and individual acrylic jewellery.
What made you decide to be a jewellery designer?
I want to design pieces that are part of peoples lives. That are worn. Not hung in Galleries or put in glass cupboards, but part of people’s lives.
If you weren’t a jewellery designer what do you think you would be?
I would probably be a textile designer.
What’s the most exciting piece you have ever made?
Even though I have been commissioned by museums and made statement pieces for catwalk shows I have to say that I always find that the next piece I am going to make is the most exciting to me. I get inspired and just want to make it.
What tool can you not live without?
My polishing machine.
What do you love most about being a jeweller?
Coming up with new ideas and then realising them. It is so exciting to see them being worn. Then when I get lovely comments from the people who have bought them, that means a lot to me.
If you could choose anyone to wear your jewellery, who would it be?
I have customers from all ages and styles so this is hard to choose. so: from Zoella and Anne Hathaway, Kirstie Allsopp to, Iris Apfel
What is your favourite piece on lovedazzle?
I would wear these Heritage Earrings by Grainne Morton if I was choosing for myself; http://www.lovedazzle.com/shop/Earrings-by-Grainne-Morton-Heritage-Earrings12.aspx
See Sue’s full range on lovedazzle
lovedazzle jewellery blog 