artist statement

My work emerges from my

interest in movement, both

dynamically and literally.

I do this by investigating negative

space and unusual geometries.

I aim to update the shapes and

archetypes that we use for

adorning ourselves to reflect our

ever-changing society. It is also

important to me that my pieces

are highly interactive to the wearer.

Movement promotes a personal

relationship between jewelry and

its wearer. Spacial movement

is achieved through forms which

lead the viewers eye all around

the piece, that are interesting

from all angles and have insides

and outsides that the eye can

explore. In addition, moving

parts within a piece allow the

wearer to play with it, to

expend nervous energy, pass

the time or simply as a method

of admiring its beauty. Through

this interaction the jewelry

becomes much more personal

and more enjoyable.

.

biography

Susan Waldes developed an interest

in jewelry in her early childhood.

Gem hunting and lapidary work

were family hobbies and lead

Susan to begin cutting stones

around age eight. Immediately

this evolved into an interest in

using the stones she was cutting

to make jewelry. At age twelve

Susan began taking summer

classes in metal work . Over

the next four years she continued

taking classes and was able to

build up a studio in her home

where she sharpened her skills.

At sixteen Susan finished high

school and began working in

the jewelry production field.

Here she was able to develop

her skills even further, however

she became dissatisfied with the

limited work she was doing.

Susan decided to attend art

school, majoring in metals and

jewelry at The Savannah

College of Art and Design.

While in school, where she was

able to exercise her artistic

abilities, Susan worked in a retail

jewelry store honing her

marketing skills. Susan earned

her B.F.A in 1998 and has

combined her artistic vision with

her marketing skills to create

her own line of handmade jewelry.