Meet Susan Barzacchini
Telephone wire, in bits and pieces found its way into my hands in the summer of 1974, while living in Germany. Soon, multicolored coils of the wire were being made into rings, bracelets and pendants. It seemed that I just couldn't get enough of the telephone man's wire. Two decades later, I rediscovered wire and jewelry design in a more sophisticated form. Once this reunion took place self discoveries with metal and stone flew in multiple directions. Jewelry became a sort of obsession.
I indulged in multiple classes, reading and media for expanding my knowledge. For years it seemed I had something in my hands to read and learn about the chemistry of metals and physical properties of minerals. For example, did you know that silver, gold and copper all have different melting temperatures and some require a higher torch heat? These three metals will not be melted with a soldering iron and if connected by heat, need a torch. Or how about this; pearls actually improve in luster appearance if worn where they can be exposed to body oils.
For years I created items to give to friends and family as gifts. My gifts started as sketches that came to me in dreams or materialized by designs discovered in nature. Once my materials were gathered, I would create a piece over the course of a day or a few hours. Then there was making a bag or a box out of cardstock, paper or fabric with which to present the gift. The jewelry gift was more than just a thing, it was a piece of me that I gave to those who I cared about.
This same care, of gifting goes into the jewelry that I create and selll. To make the transition of giving a gift to making pieces of art to sell was a luxury that excited my inner spirit. I embraced this opportunity to make items for others to wear with great zest. Soon, I realized that design possibilities were endless. I set up shop, with a huge anvil, torch, acid pot, metal forming tools and multiple pliers, gems and metal. That was when I realized that what I was doing was a dream realized. Working with my hands to create is what I had most wanted to do when I started with phone wire so long ago.
One of my passions is to create pieces that have meaning to the wearer, including special order items that include chosen sayings, children's names, pet names or birth dates with hand stamped lettering. I also make pendants out of photos for that extra special personalized gift. Throw in a birthstone or a chosen gem stone color for personalization. Also, since each person is different, so are sizes of wrists and necklaces. Most of my styles can be altered in size to accommodate the wearer.
Since new techniques excite my sensitive inner artist, I tend to experiment using unusual materials to create items out of polymer clay, soda cans, resin or fibers, so occasionally you will find items for sale using these materials as well.
Each piece I make is created with great excitement and positive ideas and inspirations. This means that you will be purchasing a one of a kind item or limited edition piece of jewelry that is made with heart and great energy.
I indulged in multiple classes, reading and media for expanding my knowledge. For years it seemed I had something in my hands to read and learn about the chemistry of metals and physical properties of minerals. For example, did you know that silver, gold and copper all have different melting temperatures and some require a higher torch heat? These three metals will not be melted with a soldering iron and if connected by heat, need a torch. Or how about this; pearls actually improve in luster appearance if worn where they can be exposed to body oils.
For years I created items to give to friends and family as gifts. My gifts started as sketches that came to me in dreams or materialized by designs discovered in nature. Once my materials were gathered, I would create a piece over the course of a day or a few hours. Then there was making a bag or a box out of cardstock, paper or fabric with which to present the gift. The jewelry gift was more than just a thing, it was a piece of me that I gave to those who I cared about.
This same care, of gifting goes into the jewelry that I create and selll. To make the transition of giving a gift to making pieces of art to sell was a luxury that excited my inner spirit. I embraced this opportunity to make items for others to wear with great zest. Soon, I realized that design possibilities were endless. I set up shop, with a huge anvil, torch, acid pot, metal forming tools and multiple pliers, gems and metal. That was when I realized that what I was doing was a dream realized. Working with my hands to create is what I had most wanted to do when I started with phone wire so long ago.
One of my passions is to create pieces that have meaning to the wearer, including special order items that include chosen sayings, children's names, pet names or birth dates with hand stamped lettering. I also make pendants out of photos for that extra special personalized gift. Throw in a birthstone or a chosen gem stone color for personalization. Also, since each person is different, so are sizes of wrists and necklaces. Most of my styles can be altered in size to accommodate the wearer.
Since new techniques excite my sensitive inner artist, I tend to experiment using unusual materials to create items out of polymer clay, soda cans, resin or fibers, so occasionally you will find items for sale using these materials as well.
Each piece I make is created with great excitement and positive ideas and inspirations. This means that you will be purchasing a one of a kind item or limited edition piece of jewelry that is made with heart and great energy.
Art Nouveau Snake |
Reversable Pendant |
Herring Bone Fringe |
