Hey, kids, my Uncle's got a barn....

"...let's put on a Show!"

Maybe not in a barn, but in 1985 a group of women jewelers were talking and that was essentially the suggestion. “I originally met Marie Susinno at Montgomery College, back in 1981. Later she, Pat Perito and I took lessons from Deborah Dubois, as did most of the other founders at one time or another. At a certain point, everyone who makes jewelry on a regular basis, is faced with a growing inventory, so we decided to try to sell it. . . even though that's not what motivated us [to make jewelry] in the first place,” says Judy Sugar.

“Since I live in Garrett Park, I knew that our town hall, a charming space (formerly a small church) was available for rentals. So I suggested that a small group of us rent it for a show. There were seven of us: Haesun Chung, Deborah Dubois, Joan Levy, Desi Midgett, Pat Perito, Judy Sugar, and Marie Susinno. A woman I worked with suggested the name: Pleiades, the Seven Sisters. It was fairly successful for a first-time effort. . . and so, we continued, growing and expanding into a larger space.”

Judy has always admired beautiful jewelry. The idea that she could make it herself, plus the opportunity to learn under Komelia Okim’s direction in a first-class program at Montgomery College was too thrilling to pass up and a new path was taken. “I was fascinated by ancient-looking jewelry and tried to made jewelry that looked like it came from a different age. Then I became interested in unusual stones, and made simple jewelry that featured the stones. Now my work takes me to simpler forms, without stones, often oxidized a dark color.”

When finding it difficult to come up with new ideas, Judy begins by playing with the metals to see where it leads. Most begins life as sheet metal, wire or tubing (usually sterling, occasionally gold). An accidental result can send her off in a completely different direction and one piece can lead to another. The materials alone often prove inspirational, a beautiful stone, an interesting texture or shape also play a role. “It’s always good to challenge yourself to make something new—try new techniques—keep it interesting.”

If you'd like to purchase or commission jewelry from Judy, please contact her at jbs20896@aol.com

Please join us November 15-16, 11am-5pm at the Women's Club of Bethesda, 5500 Sonoma Road, Bethesda MD (Just south of the beltway on the corner of Old Georgetown and Sonoma Roads). Admission is free.