We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's designer interview is with jewelry artist Susan W. Saltzman of SToNZ. She creates the perfect companion pieces for a summer day at the beach: her sterling silver jewelry incorporates natural beach stones and sea glass that she gathers from the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio.

How did you get started as a designer? I have been making art as long as I can remember. (Arts & Crafts camp? Art classes at the museum? Sign me up!) My art passion led me to art school (Go Blue!) where I followed the path of commercial graphic arts, earning a BFA in graphic design and illustration. This in turn, led me to designing greeting cards for American Greetings for many years and eventually running a graphic design/illustration business from my home studio while I raised my twins. If you are an art person you know that working with your hands is an addiction you cannot shed. So, I am back to my passion of making jewelry. I have also always been a beach girl, collecting sea glass, shells and beach stones from every beach I visit in my travels. When I discovered I could actually combine my two loves: making creative and fun stuff (I have also sewn clothing, wood burned, painted furniture, dyed silk scarves...the list is endless) with hanging out on beautiful beaches collecting natural treasures, I knew I'd found my dream!

Coincidentally, (though I believe there ARE no coincidences) right around the time I was developing SToNZ , I stumbled upon the website etsy and realized that this was the perfect place to debut my creations. Etsy has enabled me to explore the business of selling handmade jewelry with the support and encouragement of other creative and inspiring artists, and to reach out to people around the globe who appreciate what am trying to do.

What inspires you? People who smile. People with a great sense of humor. A beautiful day. A long walk on the beach. Having my breath taken away by the beauty of this good earth. The changing of the seasons which always brings surprises in our part of the country. Knowing that these bits of nature I gather, were here long before I existed, and will be here long after I am gone.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I am not very fashionable. (Ask my teenaged daughters.) I am happiest in jeans, black boots, silver jewelry on my wrist, ears and neck at all times, lots of black and maybe a lttle white... Lots of linen in the summer and velvet or leather in the winter.

Who are your favorite artists & designers? I have always loved the jewelry of Lisa Jenks. Georg Jensen. I am in awe of Massimo Vignelli. Frank Lloyd Wright. Marcel Breuer. Joseph O'Sickey. Carl Krabill. I am inspired by the whimsy, humor, endless creativity and sheer talent of Debra Banyas, Terry Speer, Bo Sterk, Mary Jo Sinclair, Rocky Gribner, Robert Crumb, Mirjana Ugrinov, Rae Dunn, Debbie Tomassi, Roberta & David Williamson, Revilo....and so many others.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Practice your craft until you get really good at it. Read books, take classes, look at what other designers are doing and find a way to differentiate yourself in a new and unique way. Do something no one else is doing. Be an original. Keep your standards and your quality high. Give the best customer service you can. Understand your value and surround yourself with people who inspire and encourage you.

Where can people find your work? Three.home on Main Street in Chagrin Falls, Ohio carries SToNZ.
Other than that, the only place to find SToNZ is on etsy for now! I am looking into other venues but for now, I am happy with these!

www.stonz.etsy.com
flickr.com/photos/stonzware
beachstonz.blogspot.com