Through her business, Suzy W Design, Suzy Williams creates and sells jewelry inspired by landscapes and animals.
“I do a lot of landscapes because that’s what kind of motivates me – I’m always out and about,” said the artist, who moved to Durango from Moab, Utah, this year.
Williams uses precious metal clay to craft many of her designs.
“It starts out as a clay form, and when it’s fired in a kiln, it’s got an organic binder that burns off and then it’s fine silver,” she said.
She hand-carves a stamp with a pattern – such as Delicate Arch or an owl – stamps the clay, reworks it as it dries and fires it.
Williams said she is thinking about teaching a class at the Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club.
“A lot of people have been asking me to do it,” she said.
Williams said she started designing jewelry full time a year ago.
“I’ve been doing it for years and years and years and always just gave it away to friends,” she said. “Then one day, someone chased me down in the grocery store in Moab and said, ‘I need some of your work in my store.’ ... I was able to quit my job and I’m still alive.”
ngonzales@durangoherald.com
