About SuStudio Jewelry by Susanna Tam
Ever since I purchased several small sterling silver rings from a street vendor in San Francisco, I have known that my life's path would somehow include making jewelry. From a singular curiosity at how the rings were made and many classes later, it has become a passion.
I am a firm believer in the concept of ‘less is more’. As a result, my designs are simple, yet different, with clean lines. I think that making simple, but unique designs is sometimes very challenging because there are less components to work
with. It is a challenge that I love.
Playing with shape and proportion is essential to my designs. Be it long and lean or petite and round, I strive to elegantly balance whatever I create.
Inspiration comes from a myriad of sources. The usual things, such as the natural world, pictures, and paintings, as well as the unusual, a pile of papers, shadows, scribbles all combine, mix and meld in my mind to form an original design. The beauty of the metal might take center stage or may be accented by the color and shape of gemstones. The jewelry is subtle, sometimes with a bit of whimsey. It doesn't scream for attention, but instead garners a second look from the careful observer. My Asian heritage has also helped to shape my appreciation for design that is pared down to basic elements.
I love the entire creative process from inspiration to concept, from design and illustration to hand fabrication and finishing. Metal is surprisingly malleable and I love manipulating it to my will. I compose each design and then hand form each component out of metal wire and sheet without the use of jigs or forms. I then use techniques such as soldering, texturing, forging, wire wrapping and/or cold connecting as necessary. Then I add gemstones if the design calls for it.
There is not much better in life for me than seeing my design ideas come to fruition except to see someone wearing one of my creations!
I am a firm believer in the concept of ‘less is more’. As a result, my designs are simple, yet different, with clean lines. I think that making simple, but unique designs is sometimes very challenging because there are less components to work
with. It is a challenge that I love.
Playing with shape and proportion is essential to my designs. Be it long and lean or petite and round, I strive to elegantly balance whatever I create.
Inspiration comes from a myriad of sources. The usual things, such as the natural world, pictures, and paintings, as well as the unusual, a pile of papers, shadows, scribbles all combine, mix and meld in my mind to form an original design. The beauty of the metal might take center stage or may be accented by the color and shape of gemstones. The jewelry is subtle, sometimes with a bit of whimsey. It doesn't scream for attention, but instead garners a second look from the careful observer. My Asian heritage has also helped to shape my appreciation for design that is pared down to basic elements.
I love the entire creative process from inspiration to concept, from design and illustration to hand fabrication and finishing. Metal is surprisingly malleable and I love manipulating it to my will. I compose each design and then hand form each component out of metal wire and sheet without the use of jigs or forms. I then use techniques such as soldering, texturing, forging, wire wrapping and/or cold connecting as necessary. Then I add gemstones if the design calls for it.
There is not much better in life for me than seeing my design ideas come to fruition except to see someone wearing one of my creations!
This is my support team, from top to bottom, Max, Foxie, and Ereshkegal. Not pictured, but equally (or more!) important...my husband James!