Jewelry Designer — Susanne Waraksa

Susanne Waraksa is a jewelry artist and a very proud Milwaukee Native. She earned her BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she started out as a drawing major. In an interesting mix of her studies there, she discovered some jewelry courses and was so enamored with the process and pieces that she pursued this passion and has been designing for clients ever since. Susanne has spent years perfecting her craft. She attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry arts in San Francisco and numerous other workshops by leading artists in the industry.

Susanne considers herself a sculptor of small objects. Her pieces have a lot of interplay between geometric planes and soft flowing forms, which create intensity and tension within her sculptural pieces. She works very intuitively, starting with an idea or quick sketch. She allows the process to determine the outcome of her pieces instead of premeditating their final stages. Diamonds, pearls and other precious stones are often incorporated into the process and delicately woven into the composition.

Everything has come full circle for Susanne. She is now working side by side with her son ( Nick Waraksa ), designing under the aesthetics of Wounded Line. In these designs, next to an intentional crack or break within the composition, there lies a delicate string of pearls or diamonds to symbolize how beauty can sometimes grow from weakness and embrace our vulnerabilities.

Q & A

Favorite color?
Olive Green

How would you describe the collection you are showing?
To show the balance we need in life. Industrial and organic images in harmony.

If you could have one wish come true, what would it be?
To always have the energy to keep going

How would you describe Milwaukee’s fashion scene?
Conservative but progressing faster

Where do you draw your inspiration?
Antiques and stories