I make unusual, odd, and silly earrings out of old school shrinkydink plastic. I handdraw and color them and then bake them with love. I like to make silly characters that interact and try to make each of them unique and fun. I was born and raised in Austin and I think a lot of that Keep Austin Weird mentality has rubbed off on me.
How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?
I discovered shrinkydinks as an adult while I was in college and was amazed I’d never tried it as a kid. I love to doodle and draw and I’ve found that handdrawing and designing earrings is the perfect medium for the kind of creatures and oddities I create. I got a BS in Creative Advertising so that’s the ideal day job, but I love creating these earrings for my own personal joy.
Is there a story behind the name of your shop?
Its an old user name I came up with just to send good vibes my way. I find it ironic because I usually try to create things that I think will make other people smile as they wear them.
Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?
I work mostly by myself. Occassionally I’ll ask my friends and family for ideas or what they’d like to see as an earring set. I try to think about upcoming holidays or seasons that would make the earrings more relevant. This is my favorite thing to work on when I have free time.
Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?
I sell them mostly online at http://www.etsy.com/shop/smileforsuzy but also have them for sale at Storyville on the drag in Austin. I love to hear about the people that buy them and what they personally mean to them.
Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?
I’m in love with the clutches they make over at Tsuru Bride.
What inspires and motivates you?
It’s a release for me to create things. Sometimes if it’s been too long since I made something I get antsy about it, and it feels great just to know I made something out of nothing. I love to fill blank canvases with ideas from upstairs.
Thanks Suzanne. And if you would like to be interviewed next, please head over to DIY Interview.
Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook and FriendFeed, or learn more about her love of the handmade.
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