About The Artist

If jewelry danced, sang, and-quite simply-breathed, it would look like this.

It's a testament to the vision of the artist, Susan Jo Rochlin, that her work comes so vividly alive. But maybe not surprising…if you get to know her.

Spend a few minutes with Susan, and her personality shines through. She makes you feel instantly appreciated. The source of her jewelry's warmth, vibrancy, and intelligence becomes quickly apparent.

"What can I say; I love what I do," says Susan. "I get inspired every day. In every moment, there's something beautiful to be appreciated. I guess I'm trying to bring a little of that beauty back into the world through my art."

Travel

It's a world Susan has spent a lifetime exploring. In the early '80s, she and her husband moved aboard a 47' sailboat with their two teenage sons, and began cruising. But even before living on the ocean, Susan traveled extensively. "I worked as a travel agent," she says, "and one of the great, secret perks of the job was Fam[iliarization] Trips, which I took full advantage of." Her travels span the globe.

These experiences are readily apparent in her work.

Color

Susan's vibrant use of color reflects the diverse cultures she visited. Frequently bold and festive, her jewelry expresses the majesty of the people and lands she's visited.

"I'm also drawn to the ocean, its natural splendor. I incorporate its palate-the shifting hues of waves and shoals, cobalt depths and sea foam shallows-into many of my pieces."

This love of the ocean inspired Susan to include a signature element into all of her jewelry. No matter what she's designing, every piece contains at least one unique pearl. It also inspired the name of her company, as pearls are the Mermaid's Jewelz.

Wearable Art

Whatever colors she uses, Susan keeps the end user in mind. "I consider my work wearable art, so I'm always thinking about how it will be used. It may be how lustrous the pearls look against the skin, or how a spray of color enlivens a more conservative blouse."

Lifetime of Art

Art has always been a part of Susan's life. In addition to her award-winning jewelry, Susan has worked in needlepoint, beaded flowers, and-for nearly a decade-Chinese brush painting. Her instructors in this delicate art form, Chow Chian Chiu and Chow Leung Chen-Ying-both considered National Treasures of China-accepted very few students in the years before they retired.

Susan now incorporates this work into her jewelry. "I've also been using the paintings and calligraphy of Angela Chang, a fellow student."

Collaboration

"In 2000, my sister, enamellist, metalsmith, and author, Karen L. Cohen, encouraged me to collaborate with her. I've always found her cloisonne and other enamels, Kuem Boo metal, and fused glass inspiring. We started to create truly unique jewelry, pieces that explode in a sea of textures and colors. Karen's shown three of our collaborations in her book, The Art of Fine Enameling.

"In addition to my sister and Angela, I also use mola art from Helene Breebaart, an internationally renowned designer from Panama, who has created these small intricate appliquéd pieces specifically designed for my jewelry."

Process

Susan's process is much like a contemporary sculptor's, working with the elements of her design as the object reveals itself.

"I tend to work intuitively," she says. "Frequently, I start with a significant central element like the enamels, paintings and molas I mentioned. But it might be an antique Chinese pottery shard, a comet or blister pearl, or some other object. Other times, I'll want to work with a specific color scheme and find the perfect focal piece, already waiting in my studio."

She then begins gathering beads, stones, and other embellishments. "I like to hold them in my hands and then look at them spread out before me. That's when the ideas begin to condense into something solid." Once the palate is conceived, she begins giving shape to the piece.

"I allow everything to grow organically, says Susan. "While working, I may add an extra pearl, sparkle, or stone as I feel is needed." Each addition adds to the completed vision. "I don't know how to explain it, but I just know when it's right. There's something about the energy of the piece that somehow makes it seem complete."

Training

"Although I've taken classes in beading and metalsmithing, I'm mainly self-taught," says Susan. In fact, with a certificate from the esteemed Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) Pearls course, Susan has significant training. She's become a bit of an expert.

Customers

"One of the nicest compliments I've received is that several people told me they redid their wardrobe to showcase my jewelry. I hand craft each piece to try and make truly unique works of art. Hopefully, my customers enjoy wearing them as much as I enjoy making them."

The spectacular pieces of Mermaid's Jewelz are something only Susan could have created. Their unique liveliness and singular vision elevate her fine craftsmanship to true art. Susan puts her entire personality into each piece: her warmth, her energy, her generosity. Could an artist (or customer) wish for anything more?

Awards

• Best of Florida Artists, third place in Art Jewelry for Flower of the Field, 2006, book being published [click to view piece]
• 13th Annual Courtyard Open Juried Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention for Blue Horizon, 2005 [click to view piece]
• WITVA Show "Art in Bloom", First Place for Cherry Roses, 2004 [click to view piece]
• WITVA Show "Artist Visions", Honorable Mention for Chinese Candy, 2004 [click to view piece]
• Lapidary Journal Bead Arts Award 2003, 2nd Place for Garden of Delights [click to view piece]

Exhibitions

• WITVA shows, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
  
• The Cornell Museum of Art and History, June 1-September 13, 2004, Delray Beach, FL
  
• Helio Gallery, March 2004, 2005, Body Jazz 2
  
• New Visions' Culture and Agriculture, 2004, Marshfield, WI
  
• The Baum School of Art, Nov-Dec, 2003, Allentown, PA
  
• Denise Bibro Fine Art, Dec 2002-Feb 2003 and Dec 2003-Feb 2004, New York, NY
  
• Salon Des Refuses at Gallery 721, Nov. 2002, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  
• The Wilson Gallery, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, Mt. Lakes, NJ

Publications

• "Wander*About," by Susan Jo Rochlin, in "Bead & Button Magazine," Kalmback
  Publishing Co., April 2010, Issue 96, pg. 62-64
• "Dragonfly", by Susan Jo Rochlin, in "Step by Step Beads", Primedia Magazines, Summer 2003, Volume 1, Number 2, pg. 58-61
  
• "The Art of Fine Enameling", by Karen L. Cohen, Sterling Publishing Co, ISBN 0-8069-7869-4, Aug. "02, pg 51

Associations

• Palm Beach Bead Society; current member
  
• American Craft Council; current member
  
• South Florida Jewelry Arts Guild; current member
  
• Broward Art Guild; current member
  
• Intracoastal Weavers Guild; current member
  
• Florida Tropical Weavers Guild; current member
  
• SNAG, current member

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