AboUT tHe ArTisT... Susi D.
THE AF TEAM - Jessi, Susi, and Kelly

Hi there, I'm Susi....the Artist behind Artsy Fartsy Jewelry.  Welcome! I am glad you
stopped by to take a look at the fun, funky, beautiful jewelry I make recycling plastic
containers from common household products.

Contrary to what I have been told, a vivid imagination is a GOOD thing.  For two years
now, my imagination has been a faithful muse...inspiring me to check the "rubbish room"
of my apartment building at least daily.  Not all ladies digging through trash are crazy or
homeless!  My grandchildren will someday have exciting stories to tell about the
adventures of making a late night "trash run" through all nine stories of my building
looking for plastic containers.  
But that's not where this story begins.

Artsy Fartsy is my brainchild. Compelled to find interesting art mediums, after a class
with Bobby Hanson - famed Tin Artist, Sculptor and Author; I was determined to find a
way to recycle and reuse the brightly colored plastic of household containers.  It took
nearly six months to develop a technique to successfully cut the plastic and assemble
jewelry that I would seriously consider wearing.  But that's not saying much....just ask my
daughter Jessi ("that's nice Mom - that looks like something you would wear").

In December 2008, I entered my work in the Bead It III Jewelry Show at the Del-Ray
Artisans Gallery in Alexandria, VA and was THRILLED to receive an honorable mention
for one of my stacked disk beads and sold it to one of the judges!  And so it began.  

Thanks to the encouragement and continuous supply of containers
provided by local artists and my dear friends at the
Northern Virginia Bead Society (www.nvabeads.org) --
Artsy Fartsy Jewelry stepped out in primary colors onto the local art scene.

Surprisingly, (at least to me) our first show season was tremendously successful, both in
sales and in positive interest in the business. Now after two years and increasing interest
in our expanding product line, Artsy Fartsy has become a highly sought after vendor in
the local craft/art circuit with a loyal following.  As far as I can tell, my work recycling
plastic into jewelry, beads, and other art is unique.  

So here's the website I've been promising -- delivering Artsy Fartsy to the Universe and
beyond.  The purpose for developing a website is to share the designs and the concept
of recycled plastic.  I work with customers either through e-mail communications when
designing custom pieces or through direct sales at the shows we attend (check the
calendar for when and where).  Stop by and say hello....I love to talk about my "stuff."

So consider the possibilities next time you take a look down the grocery store aisles at
the cleaning product, shampoo, and baby product containers ....then let me know what I
can design for you!  Artsy Fartsy Jewelry sends a message about recycling, is fun and
funky to wear, and makes a great conversation starter...I should know, I get asked about
my jewelry all the time!   

HEY!  It's GREEN BLING -- it must be Artsy Fartsy!
Sept 2010
"Trash is the failure of imagination"
~ Aaron Kramer, artist