Introducing Susan from Born in Paper. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Byron Bay, Susan hand makes all of her amazing creations.
Find out why Susan started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
Nestled in the hinterland of Byron Bay, I work away either in my studio or very large shed. Once I gather the clean office waste from local businesses, I get busy, pulling the paper. Using flowers and grasses to add to the paper, and seeds - seeded cards are now so popular.
I also offer workshops that bring people together through the process of recycling office waste and bring it to life in the form of personalised journals, wedding invitations that are as individual as you like, colours to match your day, guest books, cards and gift tags, the possibilities are endless. I do make quite a mess, but it's a happy mess. You will also see me working away preparing our Red Cedar Mould and Deckles, putting the kits together - all made right here in Byron Bay.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I think it's fair to say that my obsession for the beautiful paper textures and colours (and even the smell!), has quite literally been ingrained in me since birth. My father was a passionate printer and founded the local newspaper, The Byron News, starting it from a small-town local paper to thriving print production.
From a newborn being rocked to sleep by the hum of the Heidelberg Letterpress, to playing with long shreds of paper, to a teenager where my passion for paper only grew. Not only paper, I have had a life of craft, carving hebel, pottery, quilting, yet paper is my true passion.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
I am inspired a lot by nature, by colours that grade from light to dark in any shade, landscapes, sunsets, sunrises and raw natural material. I love threads and cottons so I often put them in my paper, adding pops of colour. I love layering my papers to create shadows between each layer in artwork. A lot of large artwork is coming together with large pieces all hand poured, left to dry, then layered.
Where did you learn your craft?
As the daughter of a printer, I grew up in a family printing business where if you sat to watch TV, you had to keep your hands busy, mostly collating invoice or statement books in triplicate printed for local businesses, carbon at the back, then preparing to bind them together the next day.
It was a hands-on childhood, and I was surrounded by a creative family.
I remember my father making soap and paper, always experimenting, not a lot. As his business was extremely busy, and growing, a Mills semi trailer arrived each week with a palate of broadsheet paper to unload, so I learnt to develop negatives, metal plates for offset printing, and set lead type for the letterpress...
I also am a granddaughter of a very clever dress maker and the niece of a fine quilter, so creating is so very much ingrained in my soul, spending as much time learning. Teaching workshops, my years experience in NSW Gov position as a Learning and Development and Training Officer really was enjoyable, and I love being able to teach others.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
The importance for me, is to keep the craft we are making alive, to make one off products that are not like any other, to use the imagination in readiness to keep creating.
The ability to connect with people wanting custom orders, hear their story and make just what they need, are all so important in keeping the handmade journey alive.
Susan is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Ultimate Artisan Gift Destination ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Born in Paper already, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
