Inspiring Conversations with Sue Ann Joe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Ann Joe.

Hi Sue Ann, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Over the course of my life, I have had countless hobbies. My garage is filled to the brim with materials from sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, quilting, modeling, beading, drawing, photography and dancing (I’m an Argentine Tango addict). I have always found it frustrating shopping for jewelry. The designs were so beautiful but I would always spot some mundane element that I felt did not belong. I strongly believe that every component of a piece should be integral to the entire design. I would buy those pieces if I could only make adjustments to them. I was destined to explore the world of jewelry sooner or later. Well, one day I could no longer resist the urge. I spontaneously searched Google for “jewelry-making classes”. And there they were! Classes at Austin Community College. I found myself seated at the bench the very next semester. There was no going back now!

Every class introduced me to an interesting new technique. I eagerly embraced each and every one of them and began to explore all the possibilities. I could manipulate metal in so many ways! I could cast pieces, hammer unbelievable shapes, saw the most intricate designs, bend surreal shapes and so much more! As with every hobby, there were some rough spots in the learning process. To this day, the most difficult challenge is – the torch. The bane of my smooth sailing. Countless times I have cried and begged my torch to cooperate. It was easier for me to blame the torch than my lack of skill! This definitely was the most challenging skill for me to master and it continues to challenge me.

After I had plowed through all of the available evening classes at ACC, I tried to negotiate with my bosses at work to make time for me to attend some classes during the day. The work week was forty hours over four days with half a day on Fridays. I asked to have Fridays off and to make up the hours during the week. Unfortunately, it was not an acceptable option for them and I had a difficult decision to make – to give up jewelry, my passion or to give up my career. Could I quit a job that I had worked so hard to get? I had worked there for almost ten years!

The path to this job had been very difficult. After ten years of being a stay-at-home mom to two young boys; I needed to re-enter the workforce – but how? Technology has passed me by over the course of these ten years. It was me, the human who was obsolete! What do I do now? How do I get myself back in? How do I become marketable again? It is time to reinvent myself and start over – take a class, learn a skill and be productive.

I did not want to pursue the same career I had before. I decided that I wanted to learn something new; to have a different career. When I was in High School, I took a drafting class. I was the only female in the class. Ever since I had wondered what if I had continued down that career path as my teacher had encouraged me to do. I chose to challenge myself and began classes at Austin Community College for drafting. Drafting, as I had known it in High School was done on paper with mechanical pencils. Today, it is done with a program, autoCAD (Computer-Aided Design), on a computer. I completed the courses, received my certificate and began job hunting. My first job was designing storage and shelving solutions for a storage company. After about a year, I was hired by my current firm, a structural engineering company with excellent bosses and co-workers. To think that I would consider giving up this job for a hobby.

That’s right, a hobby. Despite receiving compliments, participating in shows, opening an Etsy shop and making sales, it was still just a hobby to me. There was no stress for me to make a profit, especially during the pandemic. At the end of 2021, I decided it was time to shift gears. It was time for me to turn my hobby into a business. It was time for me to focus and develop a line of jewelry which would appeal to customers.

Alright, 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?
So far, my biggest challenge in operating as a business has been taking good product photos. It’s so important for me to convey the essence of my pieces to online shoppers. I have struggled with how the metal surfaces and textures are “seen” by the camera, reflections (mainly my own) appearing on pieces, natural versus artificial light, types of background and light boxes, just to name a few of the obstacles! I have been slow to post to my Etsy shop due to my dissatisfaction with the quality of my photos and my desire to produce a professional look. As a friend pointed out, the more pictures I take, the better I will become. So, with that thought in mind I have started adding more products to my shop, knowing that I will improve in time.

Another hindrance is the limitation of equipment available for small jewelers like myself. The one method of jewelry-making I have come to love is casting. Sadly, I can no longer cast since it requires a large space and expensive equipment. To me, casting is like drawing a circle freehand as opposed to drawing a circle with a compass. There is such freedom in designing a model piece to be cast into a beautiful metal of art. Alas, I must limit my process to the equipment I possess and can afford. On the positive side, these limitations will help me define the product lines for my shop.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am working on defining my brand and style. I try to incorporate clean lines and simple shapes into my work. I find asymmetry in design very dynamic and many of my pieces reflect that. Textures are also important components in many of my products. My jewelry also reflects my heritage and my love of nature. Many have Chinese characters/kanji, floral designs and hearts in the design. When a buyer is matched with the perfect piece, one just knows…that is it!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have been invited to present some basics of jewelry making to a class of middle school art students. I am eager to introduce them to a different form of art – a creative process which is more tactile and dimensional than paint on paper. What an exciting and challenging opportunity for me to introduce young people to another creative outlet and perhaps, even a career path! I believe that it is never too late for people like me to begin down a new path nor is it too early for others to begin their own journey.

I would like to send a word of encouragement to those who have found themselves out of work over these last two years. I know my circumstances in starting over may have been less stressful than yours. No matter the situation, it is nevertheless equally difficult for each to start over – but never too late. There are tools, people, and resources (e.g., Austin Community College) out there to help. Most of all, it takes determination and drives – or even desperation – to get there! Go for that dream! I wish you success.

Contact Info:

• Email: sueannjoe.jewelry@gmail.com
• Instagram: sueannjoe.jewelry
• Facebook: Sue Ann Joe.jewelry
• Etsy:  etsy.com/shop/sueannjoe

Image Credits
Cornelius Carter – Personal Photo Michael Spagon – black and white