I'M SUSAN, AND PAPERWEIGHTS ARE KIND OF MY THING!
Ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated by glass paperweights that frame photographs of iconic landmarks, quaint country churches, and portraits of loved ones captured generations ago. While these keepsake paperweights enjoyed immense popularity in the early 19th century, they gradually faded into obscurity.
After I collected a large number of clear paperweight that lost their images over time, I started to personalize them with a variety of interesting materials. My designs incorporated decorative paper, fabric, leather, vintage costume jewelry, pressed flowers, metal accents, antique ephemera, and a variety of small curiosities. I created a few special paperweights for friends and family. The rest were sold at a weekend craft fair - my first ever. Not only were they a huge success, a large number of people wanted to know if I sold "blank" paperweights they could personalize on their own. That's what sparked the idea behind PhotoWeights more than 25-years ago.
The positive response I received at that spring craft fair inspired me to develop a line of glass paperweight kits virtually anyone could use to design their own paperweights. I also set out to introduce this forgotten art form to new generations of crafters through the use of more contemporary materials, design layouts, and techniques. More than a quarter-century later, I'm thrilled to continue doing what I love, and help others create paperweights they'll love, too.
