Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Hill.
Sue, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Upstate New York and was always looking for something creative to occupy my time. I went to our local park daily to make woven potholders, beaded necklaces and just try out activities that used color, texture and ingenuity. Fast forward to high school where my friend taught me Native American bead work stitches that I would make into bracelets and earrings. I needed to be working with my hands and my brain daily. I was lucky enough to take a silver working class in high school that placed my feet on the path of exploration of adornment and the world of colored stones.
I went to Colorado College in 1984 thinking I would study physics…. I was very interested in solar power. But, as I continued to follow my passions, they led me to a BFA with a combined major of art, music and dance. Go figure! I became a passionate outdoor enthusiast living in the beautiful state of Colorado. I was a counselor at Sanborn Western Camps all throughout college and went on to teach Outward Bound out of Marble, CO. I decided to move to Telluride as it had been a great escape in my college years, always a wonderful stop on the way to Canyonlands. I wanted to be a ski bum for a year….
Fast forward 30 years, and I am still here in this special little valley way up high in the mountains wanting to be a ski bum/artist forever. As soon as I secured a crash pad in 1988, I set up a primitive jewelry studio in the basement of our rental. I continued to explore my love of adornment while holding down a waitress job to pay the bills and eventually going to school to become a massage therapist. Natural healing was a part of my passion, and I did lots of home study of plants and healing techniques. Over the years I continued creating my unique jewelry pieces. I was a local standard at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art for more than 20 years. I started attending the Telluride Farmer’s Market in 2004 and have done so every year since. What a wonderful venue to sell your work and have interaction with the people who love your style. I still love to create beautiful things…. it is what makes me happy. I have continued on my journey of healing arts and have become a certified Homeopath. Nature is so resonating and I see the threads between natural healing and stones that project a healing energy.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was lucky to have a supportive family in my path to become an artist and alternative healer. Of course, most of my family thought I was nuts, but they continued to support my ‘dream’. I always said that I was going to live in the ‘Boonies’ growing up…. how accurate that was! I have been very fortunate to have plenty of places to sell my wares and support myself and my family through my artistic endeavors. This year is especially difficult in the Covid-19 times. Our local farmers market is not allowing artisans and most of the craft markets around the state are not happening. I feel for artists struggling to make ends meet. For the last ten years, my wonderful buyers asked if I have a website so that they can purchase throughout the year. I am of that generation where a computer and selling online is totally foreign and scary. In this Covid normal, I am realizing that I need to step up out of my comfort zone, and do it! Create a website and sell to the world. Not there yet but working on it!
Sue Hill Designs – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I create handmade jewelry. I use a variety of beads and stones to create necklaces, bracelets and earrings. I also fabricate pieces from silver, gold and stones and often incorporate found objects and recycled leather. My love of my natural surroundings and my deep spiritual faith in yoga and meditation, help to suffuse my work in meaning and intention. I am most proud of my return customers who tell me they look forward to buying a new piece every year that they visit Telluride. As of right now, you can only purchase a piece that I created in Telluride. It is such a unique, hard to get to, outstandingly beautiful place…. I am proud to call this valley home.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I would have to say, having a one woman show at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art. The gallery represents some of the most well known jewelers on the planet. But that being said, being on the front lines of the Telluride Farmers Market, and having people tell me the piece that they bought 10 years ago is still their favorite and they never take it off!
Pricing:
- Most of my pieces are under $100.
Contact Info:
- Website: MadeinTelluride.com
- Phone: 9707081801
- Email: suehilldesigns@yahoo.com
- Instagram: suehilldesigns
- Facebook: suehilldesigns
Image Credit:
Sue Hill
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