My name is Sue Runyon. I am originally from Michigan and have always had a love of art and design. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing in 1989. As a military spouse, I've had the opportunity for world travel and have lived many places in the United States with my husband Dan and son Caleb. In 2005, I moved with my family to South Korea for two years. It was a great experience.
From South Korea it's just two hours by air to Beijing, China. In Beijing I was introduced to all the wonderfully affordable and lustrous pearls available there. As an artist, my eyes were opened to the limitless jewelry design possibilities of pearls and natural gemstones.
1. Me on the great wall 2007. 2. Shopping for stones at Beijing's outdoor "dirt market."
3. Shopping for pearls at the famous Hongqiao Pearl Market.
Once I returned to South Korea, I learned the art of stringing pearls in the classic style. I was also able to purchase gemstone beads and quality findings at the historic Dongdaemun Market in Seoul. A family trip to the "lost temples in the jungle" at Siem Reap, Cambodia (Angkor) offered further inspiration. At first I just made designs for myself, but when my pieces started selling right off my neck, a business was born!
1. My family in Cambodia 2007. 2. Shopping for silk in Cambodia. 3. At Red Rock Canyon, Nevada 2008.
We have now moved back to the States, but I have retained my contacts in Asia which allow me to purchase superior quality materials at great prices and pass those savings on to my customers. Now that I've been designing jewelry a while, I am branching out learning new techniques and working with new materials.
My design philosophy is that the Creator is the ultimate artist. I am inspired by the luster of pearls and endlessly fascinated by natural gemstones and metals. I feel there is no need for fussy, trendy designs that tend to obscure what is naturally so magnificent. My designs focus on the materials and what looks flattering on the wonderful women who wear them. My practical nature insures that my pieces actually work and will last through years of wear.
Our trip to Peru 2009
1. at a jewelry co-op near Sicuani, Peru 2. at Chivay 3. My family at Machu Picchu
God Bless,
Sue Runyon
My Other Interests: drawing, reading Bristish Murder Mysteries, hiking, traveling, TaeKwonDo, yoga, quilting, baking, gardening, soap making, tutoring kids in reading, watching PBS and HGTV
"Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalms 34:5
