After a 25-year career in the insurance industry, Susan Jean Stark Joseph of Queensbury decided to parlay her enjoyment of wool appliqué projects into a small business.
Susan began to entertain the idea of doing the appliqué work professionally when a wool coat she had made for her granddaughter in June of 2005, featuring woolen appliqué embellishments, was received with such an enthusiastic response that she began to create and sell woolen appliqué kits and patterns to a growing list of clients.
Calling her venture SJSJ Creations, her designs are inspired by historical gold leaf stenciling motifs commonly executed on English and American tin ware, trays, and furniture in the 1700s and 1800s.
Using hand dyed felted wool, the fiber artist uses a classic buttonhole stitch with a single strand of embroidery floss to "paint" on a black wool background. Her work is dimensional and detailed.
"The time involved led me to selling patterns or kits. Most people interested in this art form would want to do it themselves, although I often agree to create custom items myself," she said. She has added the signature woolen appliqués to purses and business card holders, as well as framed works, mats for table tops, and coasters.
Susan exhibited her work in 2006 at Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council events and many are currently on display at Adirondack Quilts, 21 Cooper St., Glens Falls, New York.