Canton, Ohio Vendor Feature | Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets

April 17, 2014 • Leave a Comment

Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets

I got to visit Susan of Susie Kay's Keepsake Brooch Bouquets and see her awesome work this past weekend. I also got the chance to photograph all of her beautiful bouquets - and let me tell you - her work is STUNNING! Seriously, I highly recommend all brides check her out! Below you will find Q&A's chock full of information about Susan and her creations as well as lots and lots of pretty pictures! You will also find out how to get in touch with Susan and where you can find more samples of her work. Check her out... you won't be disappointed!

Q&A

Q. Who are you and what do you do?

A. I am a wife and mother of three children, taxi service, chef, personal assistant, dog walker, treasure hunter, and small business owner. I have Crafting ADD and love looking at items, and changing how they are used. Pinterest is a very dangerous place for a person like me, with Crafting ADD. So many possible projects, so little time in the day!

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Design, and also I am a Graduate Jeweler Gemologist. My main business focus is creating unique Brooch Bouquets for brides and their bridal party. This combines my love for creating, with my love of Jewelry. It takes a unique individual to want one of these creations, and I really enjoy meeting these different brides. I love the hunt of vintage sparklies! I have collected more than I will ever get to use. It is quite the addiction, and you will find me at Estate Sales, garage sales, and antique stores, always on the hunt.

How cute is Susan working? And how gorgeous is that studio? LOVE!

Q. When did you start your business and what inspires you to keep going?

A. I had these two lovely Great Aunts. Their names were Margie and Trudi, and they were known to the family as the “Golden Girls” because they wore matching gold Lame’ pant suits with sequin tube tops to my wedding. (they were in their 70’s at the time!) These lovely spinster sisters were full of joy and were the life of every party. When they passed, within weeks of each other, I was fortunate enough to inherit all of their costume jewelry. I have many of their pieces today, and they still smell of their perfume. After inheriting this large collection of Bling, I saw a picture of a brooch bouquet somewhere. I put the thought and the collection together, and used many of their pieces in my first bouquet. I have had an Etsy store since 2011. I up-cycle jewelry as well, and I create mittens out of old wool sweaters. (ADD again!) I am inspired by the memory of these lovely aunts, and hope that I can have a fun filled life like they did.

Q. What is your favorite part about what you do?

A. I really enjoy working with brides. They have so much ahead of them, and I am blessed to be included in such a meaningful, and sentimental item for them. A brooch bouquet is a Keepsake, and I am honored to be the creator of something that they will cherish for a lifetime, and pass on to other family members. I love when a bridal theme comes together. When a bride sees their creation is a very special moment for me. It is very gratifying to see the joy in their face.

Q. What do you pride yourself on most?

A. I pride myself on having unique designs, and also the execution of that design. Being a trained Jeweler and having a Design Degree, I have the skills that many do not have. I use quality brooches, quality wire, and I really take my time in arranging the pieces so that they look really nice, and are unique. If it doesn’t look right to me, I take it apart and start again, until I get the look I desire.

Q. What else should people know about you and your work?

A. Just about any Item can be incorporated into a bouquet. If you have a sentimental item that you would like to carry on your wedding day, it can probably be wired to work into your bouquet. I have had Bridal customers ask their friends and family to bring a brooch to the bridal shower, to add to their bouquet. This cuts down on the costs for a bride, adds to her collection, and also is very sentimental because the brooches are chosen from her family and friends. They then send me what they have collected, and I create their bouquet using these items. I have wired that “something Blue” to be carried down the aisle. I have added Military wings and medals, grandfathers button off of his coat, Breast cancer awareness pins, sea shells, feathers, broken jewelry, necklaces, lockets, etc…..Just about anything can be done!

Many brides want fresh flowers, but also want brooches in their bouquet. Having me wire the brooches that they want to use can do this. The bride can then take them to their own florist to be added when he/she creates the fresh flower bouquet.