about susan beal « West Coast Crafty

about susan beal

Hello!

I’m a crafty girl with a lot of frequent flyer miles! I love to travel, and my husband Andrew and I split our time between Los Angeles and Portland. I’m a freelance writer and non-stop crafter — I sell a line of handmade jewelry and a-line skirt kits under the name susanstars.

I co-wrote Super Crafty with the ladies of the Portland Super Crafty collective, and I’ve contributed how-to projects to Get Crafty: Hip Home Ec, Tease, Making Stuff, and The Crafter Culture. I also write for Venus, Adorn, CRAFT, Cutting Edge, ReadyMade, BUST, and getcrafty.com.

In my spare time, I love to sew dresses from vintage patterns, knit, embroider, make collages, hang out on flickr, read, drink coffee, and go to the Rose Bowl flea market! My big ambition is to make a crazy quilt with all my vintage fabric bits and scraps from projects past. And one of these days I swear I’m going to learn to crochet…

32 Comments »

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Susan,
I am desperately looking for a little recycled rubber bag that says, “I Used To Be A Tire”
When I searched the internet I found that you had a similar bag to the one I have - I looked up ReForm School, but came up with some very nasty websites…
Do you know who makes the bag? There is no tag inside of mine saying where it was manufactured. The person who gave it to me got it as a gift at a trade show.
Any info you may have is much appreciated.
Susan Chiabai
Project Coordinator
Foothills Toyota
Direct line: 360-766-5802
Cell. 360-540-2326
schiabai@foothillstoyota.com

Comment by Susan Chiabai — February 23, 2007 #
hi susan!

I got mine at ReForm School here in LA (sorry you ran across some craziness searching for the shop), and it’s made by a British company called Remarkable. You’ll love it, it’s such a great little bag.

Comment by Susan — February 23, 2007 #
Hey Susan!
I googled sewing and found you…

I’m giving away vintage sewing patterns on my non-crafty blog, and finding few takers.

Repeat,they are free. only “string” is I want them to go to a good home (they were my grandmas) and I would like a photo of any finished product created.

Check it out and Let me know if you or any of your readers are interested…

Comment by Jenn — March 2, 2007 #
Hi! I’m looking for good thrift shops and flea markets (other then the Saturday Market) in the Portland area… My boyfriend and I moved back to Portland after college, and I haven’t been able to get out into the city and surrounding areas and investigate good shops.. any tips or ideas?

Thanks!

Comment by Andrea — March 28, 2007 #
Hi Jenn! I’m so sorry I missed the window for passing on the free patterns to a good home… I was out of town and super busy so I apologize for not spreading the word. Thank you for thinking of me!

Andrea, I e-mailed you but also wanted to post here in case someone else was interested…

Portland sadly doesn’t have very good flea markets, but I have lots of thrift store recs: Better Bargains at NE 100th & Sandy (bring a bag of stuff to donate and get a 40% off coupon), Finders Keepers at 122nd & Powell (furniture is cheap on Saturdays), the Goodwill Bins on McLoughlin in Portland (everything is by the pound), and Red White and Blue on McLoughlin Blvd. in Gladstone (closed on Sundays and cash only). I also wrote up a guide to thrift stores all over the place and a crafty guide to Portland if you’re interested in checking those out.

(note: they’re both from 2005 so please forgive any out-of-date links/info)

Comment by Susan — April 3, 2007 #
I still religiously wear my A-line skirt with the adorable mice that you made. It’s my outfit I wear when I want to be especially cute and irrestible. I love it!!!

Comment by Trista — May 4, 2007 #
Hi Susan,
Love your site! I am a San Diego girl and have had a hard time finding blogs that relate to stuff going on in my part of the word- until you! Quick question- I am going to the Pasadena Flea Market coming up in June and was wondering if you could direct me in where the best section is for fabric/sewing/crafty stuff. I’ve heard it is HUGE, so I wanted to kinda get an idea of where I should go first… I don’t know if they have rows or what, but any advice would be greatly appreciated! Hope you are loving Portland!
kelley

Comment by Kelley — May 8, 2007 #
Thank you for your mention of the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse! Please update your listing to reflect our new address: 4695 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94608, and our website: http://www.creativereuse.org.

Thanks!

Comment by East Bay Depot — May 11, 2007 #
Hi Susan,
I wanted to ask you about joining a small bead group on line. Jen Perkins suggested I contact you. Please email me if you’d like to discuss it at tammypowley[at]yahoo.com

Comment by Tammy — May 13, 2007 #
it was awesome meeting you at Maker Faire!
I posted some photos of you in action if you want to check them out:
http://flickr.com/photos/bonniegrrl/collections/72157600241191362/

Comment by Bonnie — May 21, 2007 #
[...] am the right person to spread crafty love is amazing. Sister Diane is one of my many crafty heroes (Susanstars is one of my others and it was Susan who first planted the seed of Church of Craft in my [...]

Pingback by “I must not neglect my blog” « Welcome to Craftchester — June 14, 2007 #
Hey Susan,

I live in a small apartment in Hollywood. I’m really need of a workspace like Etsy Labs. I’m also in need of a store much like Urban Ore. Is there any you could recommend, or suggestions for someone that needs a workspace and cheap eclectic recyclables?

Thanks,
-James Marshall

Comment by James Marshall — July 3, 2007 #
Hi Susan - you’re cool. A friend forwarded you’re item on Cafe Pallino. Sounds like when you’re in Portland you are in the neighborhoods of inner SE. I do an email newsletter called Neighborhood News and it would be fun to feature you - shoot me an email. I’d love to know more about where your stuff is available and what you’re up to in inner Southeast.

I think my favorite t-shirt is either the In Square Men’s Bar from Central Square in Cambridge, Mass (the bar has since been torn down) or my Incredible Casuals shirt from their gigs at Cahoon Hollow beach on the Cape (in case you’re interested!)

Lindsey

Comment by Lindsey McBride — July 3, 2007 #
Hey Susan! I love your work and I am trying to find the kit or pattern for your wrap around skirt. Any ideas of where I can order this?
Thanks,
Straughn

Comment by Straughn — July 17, 2007 #
Hi Susan, I am blogging on you today! Check it out at http://www.craftynation.com - would love your feedback on the video and would love to have you on the show someday! I am from So. Cal originally, and miss it so!
xxoo
Toni Lyn

Comment by Toni Lyn — July 27, 2007 #
[...] Susan Beal is the author of Super Crafty: Saving the World from Mass Production, and she is definitely Super Crafty. She sews, knits, embroiders, designs jewelry and makes collage. [...]

Pingback by Inspire, Empower, CREATE! » Blog Archive » Southern California Crafty Guide: Introducing Susan Beal! — July 27, 2007 #
Hey Susan - I’m a fellow Portlander (I *think* I met you very briefly last summer at Church of Craft) and I’m having such a hard time finding Adorn mag in town. Powell’s doesn’t seem to carry it, Target doesn’t (I think the Adorn site said they do), none of the craft shops…any suggestions besides subscribing?

thanks!
- Julie

Comment by Julie — August 2, 2007 #
Hi Susan,

Love your blog. Noticed you’ll be in SanFrancisco soon and wanted to tell you about Mission Indie Mart on Saturday August 18th 11-6 at 25th and Guerrero. It’s a small sale featuring local crafters. I’ll be there selling my handmade jewelry.

-ali

Comment by Ali — August 7, 2007 #
Hi Ms. Beal,

I am an Editor for a small community youth and arts magazine, printed on recycled newsprint, that is distributed free of charge. Distribution is between 6,000 and 8,000 copies, depending on our funding. I am in a bit of a bind and I was wondering if you could help.

Our articles come from volunteer contributors but sometimes, deadlines are not met. We have a department called Know-how, which is empty right now, and I would like to know if we could reproduce your article Make a Mini-Shrine for print.

Could you please let me know if we have your permission to reproduce your article in our community arts magazine.

Awaiting your reply,

Gabriel

Comment by Gabriel — August 16, 2007 #
Hi Susan,

I just wanted to let you know that you’ve received a wabisabi brooklyn piece as part of your September Sampler. I hope you enjoy it! Here is a bit more information about us:

CONTACT INFORMATION
MaryAnne LoVerme
wabisabibrooklyn@gmail.com
(917) 365-7659
wabisabibrooklyn.com

Get Schooled about wabisabi brooklyn!

They met teaching in Manhattan, but Naomi Strom and MaryAnne LoVerme of wabisabi brooklyn were soon getting together for regular days of arts and crafts.

“It started off as a way to relieve stress,” says Strom, “But before long we realized we wanted to share our creations with others.”

“We were simultaneously needing a creative outlet and frustrated by the endless amounts of paper waste in our lives,” agrees LoVerme. “Decoupaging with the idea of wabi-sabi in mind really helped us to turn a negative into a positive.” Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic concept that means finding beauty in imperfection. Decoupage, for those who do not remember its stronghold on 1970s arts and crafts, is a form of collage.

“We want our pieces to embody the meaning behind the name of our company,” says Strom. “We’re always doing that in our daily lives, so it reflects the way we try to see the beauty in the grittier parts of Brooklyn, and that really comes across in the pieces we create.”

Using the paper that floods in through junk mail, they decoupage coins and other shapes, coat them with a protective resin and put them into their original designs, often using vintage elements in addition to the recycled paper.

Whether in Strom’s Kensington residence, or in Carroll Gardens, where LoVerme grew up and still lives, the two create uniquely beautiful jewelry using vintage elements, recycled papers, and humble metals such as.

At the request of male friends, they are also starting to make more men’s items, like cuff links made with decoupaged nickels.

“We’re really just getting started, and are excited at all the possibilities decoupage presents,” says LoVerme.

Wabisabi brooklyn creations and are available online at wabisabibrooklyn.com, at artez’n at 444 Atlantic Avenue between Nevins and Bond, at Mongo at 246 Smith Street near DeGraw. They also frequently sell their work at Brooklyn Indie Market, on Smith Street near Union.

Cheers!
MaryAnne LoVerme

–
http://www.wabisabibrooklyn.com

Comment by MaryAnne LoVerme — September 5, 2007 #
Greetings,

I have a new line of aesthetic meditation products and am looking for some feedback. All welcome.

http://www.daintydeity.com

Comment by Dainty Deity — September 20, 2007 #
Hi Susan. I used to live in Portland and your blog makes me miss it more than already did! Lots of fun crafty stuff going on there. I’d love for you to check out my blog and consider adding it to your blog roll: http://www.katiehacker.blogspot.com.

Keep up the crafty goodness!
Katie

Comment by Katie Hacker — October 16, 2007 #
Woo hoo!! I just came across your blog whilst looking for blogs on Portland! I want to move to there! ! A friend of mine went..came back to Atlanta , sold her house and will be moving to Portland next week. What a great city! I love to craft and make art! Wheeee!

Comment by Pam Aries — October 26, 2007 #
hey! just picked up super crafty (the book) on a whim and am totally in love! ive been a crafter most my life…i love looking at all the web pages you are connected with but i live in the south east US. do you know of any blogs/events/sites

Comment by Erin — October 29, 2007 #
Hi Susan
I promised to let you know when Of All The People In All The World opens in LA, we’re at the Skirball again from 29 Nov to 30 Dec. http://www.skirball.org/index.php?option=com_ccevents&scope=exbt&task=detail&oid=22 Maybe you won’t be in LA again this year, but there’s always New York in January… we’re just waiting for the OK to announce all the details at the moment. All the best!
Karen, Stan’s Cafe x

Comment by Karen — November 19, 2007 #
Hey Susan!
I’m a huge fan of West Coast Crafty. You make everything seem so exciting!
I realize this is abrupt and probably inappropriate, but I was wondering if you would do me a favor. I’m a high school student in San Francisco organizing a scarf drive in the city. You know, folks knit scarves, donate them, we get them to folks in need (In this case, they’re being donated to the Bay Area Rescue Mission). It’s my first try doing it and it would mean the world to me if you mentioned it on your blog. Everything is at http://www.myspace.com/warmandfuzzySF.
It’s entirely up to you, and I understand if you would rather not. I’ll be a reader no matter what
Yours,
Ellen

Comment by Ellen — December 29, 2007 #
Hi Susan,
My husbands company might (likely) move us from Southern OR (GP) to Portland and I was wondering if you could give any info on safe places to live. That is pretty much the only criteria. He works from home so we don’t have to be in a certain location but are mostly wondering where to avoid. Any advice would be great.
Thanks a TON!
Regina

Comment by Regina — January 8, 2008 #
Hi Susan,
I came across your blog as I was doing some research on some printers and was wondering if you’d mind answering a few questions I have. What’s the best way to reach you?

Thanks so much!

Comment by Bobby — January 22, 2008 #
Hi I wanted to tell you about my ELLIOTT SMITH photographs — I did a shoot for his record company -perhaps his first one ? ( very causal one ) whilst hanging out on a rooftop in the West village one afternoon in NYC in Summer of 1995 They were for KRS his first label and the promo pics were sent out then and are all around on the web now ….
In any case I am getting ready for an upcoming show and will be making some prints of images not seen ever by anyone -beside me the pulicity people and Elliott perhaps ? not sure if he did take a look …….

I thought you may be interested –let me know I’ll keep you posted — and can send jpgs soon

I put up my boyfriends ETSY store for you to take a look ! -not to confuse you at all –though you may be interested in his stuff also …..

That is where I found you ETSY.com which is something I just (very late in the game ) discovered) while making the site for JESSE .
Cheers

TRISHA CLUCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Comment by ELLIOTT SMITH PHOTGRAPHS from 1995 — January 23, 2008 #
Hi Susan,

I am thinking about writing a jewelry book. Just curious as to how difficult it was to pull yours together.

Many thanks,

Jackie

Comment by Jackie — March 28, 2008 #
Hi Susan,
A quick question: can you recommend a pregnancy-safe jewelry glue? All the glues I’ve found are toxic and cause birth defects. Can’t wait to get your book…It should arrive next week!

Be well,
Eliza

Comment by Eliza — April 21, 2008 #
Hola, Susan,

Lovely blog.
I was in Portland for the weekend, and stumbled across perhaps the best vintage modern shop I’ve ever been to - was in the South East part of town I believe - called Janus Home.

They had an incredible collection in an old industrial space.
I am going to have them ship a rare Brazilian piece I found back to Spain for me!

Portland is wonderland!

Peace.

Comment by jakob — June 9, 2008 #