Jewelry Love: Suzanne Early Designs

December 22, 2020

Jewelry Love: Suzanne Early Designs

Jewelry

By HollyPhillips

Acrylic Cuff, Jewelry, Jewelry Love, Suzanne Early Designs, Vintage Brooch

I have a very last minute gift idea for you.

I am crazy for this local creative fusing the old with new with her chic cuffs.

Enjoy getting to know

Suzanne Early Designs

Charlotte, North Carolina

What is your background?

I have always been drawn to and surrounded by creativity and design. I spent the first 10 years of my career working in the wild ad agency business and the last 15 years (and counting) as an outside sales representative for Cowtan & Tout selling textiles to the interior design trade. Fabric and interior design are my first love and I am so inspired by all the amazing designers I work with in NC and SC. Suzanne Early Designs was born out of a need to find a little creative outlet that I could call my own.

What inspires you and your designs?

Over the years I have inherited lots of costume jewelry from my late Mother and Grandmothers. While I treasured the beauty of these pieces, I rarely got the opportunity to wear them. On a whim, I glued one of my favorite brooches to a lucite cuff and was delighted to get lots of compliments. I love the thrill of hunting down these vintage beauties from the 1950-1980’s in antique shops and through online dealers and am always delighted by the craftmanship that is rarely seen today. The real joy comes after the successful composition which involves carefully clamping and gluing with the reward of seeing the old come to life again!

What is your favorite piece?

I LOVE anything bamboo!

How has Charlotte influenced your work?

Charlotte is blessed with so many talented artists and designers. There is inspiration everywhere and so many impressive entrepreneurial women to look up to.

Charlotte surely lives up to its name as The Queen City!

What is your favorite restaurant in Charlotte?

The Pad Thai and Tom Kha Coconut Soup at BASIL are to die for!

What is your favorite cocktail?

I love any-and-all cocktails, but especially love a buttery and oaky Chardonnay.

Dream trip?

Lake Como is high on the bucket list!

Dream commission?

This would be a long shot…but something involving large cushion cut diamonds and lots of emeralds set in an art deco style…commissioned by me, for me of course!

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

You can never go wrong with the latest coffee table design book that fits the host’s style.

Your favorite up and coming artist?

Caroline Boykin

I absolutely adore the mix-media work of Caroline Boykin. Her signature mix of acrylics and ceramics is stunning and so fresh!

What is your most treasured possession?

Are pets possessions? If so, my most treasured are my two kitties, Georgia and Bits, who delight and entertain me every day!

What are you reading?

I love to read, but rarely have the time and attention to do so. I read Boy Swallows Universe at the beach this summer and it is now one of my all-time favorite novels!