Collaborating is a Cool Craft with Sue Lacy

I recently caught up with jewelry maker and metalsmith extraordinaire Sue Lacy of SueLacy Designs. I’ve mentioned Sue in a few posts before but I wanted to interview her and let you get a little closer look into some of her interests.

Greg Turner: How long have you been creating jewelry?

Sue Lacy: My first jewelry would have been around age 8 or 9.  I made flower necklaces out of clover, telephone wire rings with colorful spiral petals, and bracelets out of woven gum wrappers.  ECO-chic at an early age, don’t you think, with themes of harvest and recycling  I picked up where I left off about 10 years ago, starting with beading, wire wrapping, and then later metalsmith techniques.

GT: How long ago did you go rogue and venture out to pursue jewelry making as an entrepreneur?

SL:  I either gifted or kept all of my jewelry until the Summer of 2010.  So many of my friends and family were wearing my jewelry (or got married in my jewelry) and I certainly had enough of it myself.  I had a lot of encouragement to do this, and I finally realized it’s not a hobby; it’s what I really want to do.

GT: Where can people find you and your work?

SL: My web site is at SueLacy Designs and from there you can find out about any events or shows coming up, or find me on FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Etsy.  My Twitter name is SueLacyDesigns and I’m having a lot of fun there, so please join me!  And of course, some of my work can be found at Fringe Outfitters.

GT: Tell me about yourself.

SL: I’m married to a great guy and have the four most awesome daughters on the planet. I enjoy biking, kayaking, blogging, and outdoor gardening.  But don’t give me a house plant unless it can suck water out of the air or verbalize it’s needs — that’s just not a strong area for me!  I’m a Buckeye and OSU grad, and I studied metalsmith techniques at Columbus College of Art and Design.

GT: What’s your favorite place to dine?

SL: We have so many great restaurants here in Columbus.  A few of my favs are Cucos on Bethel for Mexican,  Shi chi on Sawmill for Japanese,  Nancy’s on High for home cooking.  L’Antibes in the Short North is to die for, and (yes in the same sentence) I can’t say no to Skyline chili.

GT: What’s your favorite place to visit in Columbus?

SL: The Columbus Zoo.

GT: What has been most thrilling about this venture?

SL:  My work was featured at The Ohio Craft Museum during Nov-Dec 2010, at their 11th annual holiday show Gifts of the Craftsmen.  That was very exciting.  I’ve also loved meeting local artists and making so many new connections in Columbus now that I’ve jumped into this venture.  Working with Fringe Outfitters has been great fun.  Columbus is becoming such a fantastic, vibrant city.  I really think it’s entering its renaissance, and I want to be part of that.

GT: Where is your favorite place to travel?

SL:  I have a daughter living in Washington, D.C., and I also never get tired of sight seeing there.  So let’s rank that first.  I took a recent trip to La Jolla, California.  It has the most amazing coastline.  Key West ranks up there, too.

GT: What are you most looking forward to when the weather breaks?

SL: I can’t wait until sundown comes at a reasonable hour.  Also a nice long bike trip on the rails-to-trails in Yellow Springs, followed by a cold beer on the deck at Ye Olde Trail Tavern, then off to all the artsy little shops in town.  Never gets old.

GT: What’s your favorite color?

SL: I’m such a color nut.  It can be mood changing, don’t you think?  To steal text from my first blog entry on SueLacy Wired, I don’t have a single favorite color.  It’s the mix that really takes my breath away.  Blue with green; sky, trees, ocean.    Individually they are pretty, but together, they are invincible.  I think that’s a good metaphor for life.

GT: Thanks for working with me.