We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Susan (Suzy) Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Susan (Suzy) below.

Alright, Susan (Suzy) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was raised in Chicago by a ballet dancer and a professional musician. My life has always been filled with art. Performance art, although I loved it, wasn’t my strongest media! I love music, and play(ed) the piano, guitar, silver flute and Native American flute. But I wanted something more. I wanted to be a painter, however I focused on Photography and Creative Writing in college, getting my BA in both English and Social Psychology with Photography as my minor. My plan was to write the next great American social commentary novel, or collection of short stories, or poems that I would illustrate with my photos. Then life happened!
2 children, numerous moves and becoming gallery and frame shop owners with my then husband meant I had to put my own creative efforts on hold a while longer.
About 30 years ago, my children wanted to made jewelry to sell in our gallery. I helped them get started and was thrilled that they not only enjoyed making things, but were successful selling their work too! Finally I realized that I could “paint” my world around me with gemstone beads, shells, pearls, coral and glass beads. I was already selling lots of other artists gemstone jewelry, and I discovered that my customers and clients loved my creations! I was learning about the healing properties of the beads, and since I was also doing some hands on healing, the jewelry seemed like the next tool for me to use with my clients.
I used to sell in numerous galleries, but after 2020, most all of them have gone out of business, so I focused on my website and Etsy shop last year.
2022 has brought me new found opportunities to sell to the retail collector once again! Shows and online and in person representation include:
Western Art Collector Magazine
Native American Art Magazine
The Laurel of Asheville Magazine Ventana Fine Art; Canyon Road; Santa Fe Prana Blessings; Santa Fe
Santa Fe Studio Tour
Santa Fe Studio Arts Collective FourElements BeadWorks studio

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I owned multiple art galleries over many years and I loved to feature emerging artists, especially jewelers. I wasn’t selling my photography in our galleries, but realized that those photos of the world around me were my gemstone jewelry making inspirations! I could “paint” my photos in gemstones.

I make necklaces, bracelets and earrings using gemstone beads, pendants, Pearls, seashells, Coral, glass and some vintage beads. I prefer to work with Sterling Silver, although I do use 14K Gold, Gold filled or plated clasps and components also.

I know that every gemstone has innate healing energies or properties, and after I’ve designed and created my work, I research the healing benefits of the gems that I’ve used. Sometimes the combination of gemstones creates a powerful piece both energetically and visually!

I also love to make custom jewelry for my clients. Wedding party jewelry, Mama jewelry using the birthstones of the family members, special event jewelry such as graduations or anniversaries and specific jewelry for healing.

I feel that my creations are very much from the heart while be well thought out. I don’t mass produce anything. Every creation is one of a kind, and my clients really appreciate that they will have a one and only piece!

I’m most proud of creating lasting friendships and bonds with some of my customers. When I can get to know someone and their likes and needs I can totally customize the jewelry for them. The satisfied and happy clients become friends and many refer others to me.

I guarantee my workmanship. If something I’ve made needs repair, unless it is broken by the customers error, I will restring that piece for free. If I need to lengthen a piece, I usually charge a nominal fee for the additional materials.

FourElements BeadWorks Mission

Inspiration can come any time, from anywhere while you’re doing anything. With that in mind, my dilemma is only that I have other things I have to do everyday. I can’t just make jewelry!
The great thing is, when I look out the window, play with my dog, visit my grandkids or do the dishes, the ideas keep coming, because my life keeps happening! FourElements BeadWorks was born out of this daily gift of creative expression known as Jewelry Design. I see the sunset after a rainstorm, and a series of colors and shapes forms the basis for the next collection that I create. A trip to the ocean, the desert or the mountains gives me unlimited “data” for every new collection.
Earth, Wind (Sky), Water and Fire are the beginning and end of each design. As I finish a set, and the title comes to me, I say Thank You to these Elements for inspiring the spark of creativity and the name of each piece. Thank you for showing me different images as I look to each of the Four Directions. Thank you for allowing me to have access to wonderful beads coming from this Earth, our Waters and some even from The Sky and Fire.
I am driven to make affordable, beautiful jewelry from natural stones, shells, corals and pearls from across this planet. I love being able to both blend into fashion trends and personal taste. I also respect and appreciate the natural vibrations of each and every bead that I use. They have the innate ability to help and heal those who wear them, even if that person isn’t aware of it. The energies within semi-precious stones are well documented, and certainly have been utilized by hundreds of cultures over the ages.
Custom orders are welcome, and specialty collections are ongoing. Currently, I make Mama Necklaces that include the birthstones of Mama, her children and even grand children as requested. Wedding party jewelry is a favorite of mine, and Birthstone Jewelry sets are always on my workbench.
Some call me a Beadaholic. Some say I’m compulsive. Some just say thank you for these beautiful necklace sets. I say, thank you to this Mother Earth for blessing us with these amazing Four Elements.
Suzy …..

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The best reward to me is a happy and satisfied customer who thanks me, tells me that the jewelry is just right and then they return to me for more purchases. I love when someone is a customer and then purchases my work as gifts. That’s a real testimonial!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I moved away from my gallery to take care of my father and had to watch the slow decline of sales of my work because I wasn’t in the gallery to meet and greet or explain anything about my creations.

Then I moved a few more times. Each time I would find a few local galleries or shops to carry my gemstone jewelry, but eventually, primarily due to Covid and the initial lockdown, most of those locations either went out of business or trimmed back on purchasing inventory.

I already had my website and my Etsy shop, but wasn’t relying on them for sales. Once I realized that I HAD to rely on web sales, I concentrated my efforts and started out with a customer who actually purchase 33 necklaces over the course of 2 months in the spring of 2020!! I was so thrilled and encouraged that I’ve really stayed focused on website and Etsy sales.

I do have several local/regional galleries and shops carrying my jewelry and that is also extremely encouraging.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fourelementsbeadworks.com
• Instagram: fourelementsbeadworks
• Facebook: FourElements BeadWorks
• Other: FourElement BeadWorks on Etsy www.ventantafineart.com