Hello! My name is Sue and I’m one of those creative types who is slowly realizing I’m a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. I’ve ventured through several creative endeavors in my life, including writing, early American arts, jewelry-making, sewing and most recently needle felting.
My business, Red-Tail Designs, specializes in horse hair and porcupine quill jewelry. People send me locks from their horses’ tails and I plait the hair into bracelets, earrings, key chains (and hopefully soon, necklaces and rings). I also make pieces for sale through my online store and several local stores.
Porcupine quillwork is a Native American Indian art in which porcupine quills are embroidered onto leather in intricate patterns. I use natural (black and white) and dyed porcupine quills to create original cuffs and earrings and custom pieces.
I taught myself most of the crafts I do, including quillwork, horse hair weaving, and a number of beading styles. I regularly teach these techniques throughout the eastern Pennsylvania area.
I’ve been sewing more these days, although my sewing machine and I have a love-hate relationship. I love it when it works; I hate it when it doesn’t (I have the same thing going on with my computer). Making coffee cuffs is a fun way to experiment with different fabrics together.
My new love is needle felting. You use a needle to manipulate wool roving and create something like sculpture. It’s so fun. It will be interesting to see where this obsession leads, especially if I can integrate it with the horse hair and quillwork.
Have a look around my site. I hope you’ll find some craft that tickles your fancy. Let me know what you think!
Susan Newquist, Red-Tail Designs
813 Porter St., Easton, PA 18042 610-905-8399 Susan@redtaildesigns.com