phone: 608.251.5088
email: sue@suespins.com
Welcome to my website. I hope you enjoy browsing through my jewelry as much as I enjoy creating each individually handcrafted piece. I have been creating jewelry from postage stamps for over 20 years. All my pins are made with authentic postage stamps & are available in limited quantities as availability permits.


ABOUT THE ARTIST Susan Werner at her booth at the Art Fair on the Square, Madison, WI

Here I am in my booth at my favorite hometown art festival—The Art Fair Off the Square—in Madison, Wisconsin. Having direct interaction with my customers and seeing their response to my artwork has always been a source of great enjoyment for me.

The central focus of my jewelry is postage stamps. I started collecting stamps as a child. When I was 8 years old, my 18 year-old brother joined the army and started sending letters home from all the places he was stationed...including the Philippines, Thailand and Japan. I took one look at those foreign stamps and was hooked! They spoke of exotic places far away from the Wisconsin dairy farm where I was growing up. That started me on my path to becoming an enthusiast for all stamps—most especially U.S. as well as international. I have been making my living solely through selling my artwork at juried art fairs and galleries since 1984. During that time, I have won a variety of purchase, invitational and "best of category" awards. I am the sole artist and do not employ any assistants.

My husband, who I met in college during the 60's, is also committed to being the sole proprietor of his cabinet-making and rehab re-modeling business for over 20 years. Our own home, which will soon become 100 years old, has been the grateful recipient of his woodworking expertise. Together, we are dedicated to being self-employed and have been successful in that endeavor by offering quality workmanship to our clients and customers.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

My jewelry consists of polymer clay pins and pendants, designed around one of these amazing little gems of art called postage stamps. The process includes using a mint-condition stamp and protecting it with a non-toxic matte varnish. Each piece may be further embellished with glass beads, wires, metal charms, as well as polymer clay designs to further enhance its' unique quality as a sculptural piece of wearable art.

I love the universal appeal of postage stamps. When exhibiting at art fairs, it's great fun to see people connecting with the stamp images. The subjects are limitless. Whether it's the art of Georgia O'Keefe; the professions of nursing or teaching; sports such as bicycling or baseball; famous people (from Susan B. Anthony to Elvis); flowers; animals; history or places that call to mind a special memory...there truly is something for everyone. I hope you have fun looking at my web-site, find images that speak to you, and enjoy wearing my postage stamp pins.