In every group of people, there is a special someone that just brings sunshine every time they step into a room....even if it's a cyber room.
This is our friend, Susan Bowerman......I say ours, instead of mine, because many of us know her and I can't claim her all for my own. So I had to share Susan on my blog today.
I have not known Susan for a long time, but I know a few facts:
She lost her beloved husband on May 13, 2013. From what I recall, I don't believe she expected that loss to happen quite then....so it was an even bigger blow.
She just kept moving.....and working.
Susan has a beautiful yard that needs care....and she does it herself. Evidently this was not the first big dumpster of tree trimmings she filled!
Susan also has a gorgeous, accomplished daughter and a very elegant mother....here are three generations:
I know Susan from the B'sue Boutiques Creative Group where she joined us early on.....the group was opened close to the end of October, 2012...just before I opened our little shop here in East Palestine.
Ever since she came, she's been a constant support and a sharer of new ideas.
Here is Susan at a show:
And here's an awesome wire and beads necklace that she made:
She also made this awesome bracelet using our matte black bookchain:
When I first began to promote the Build a Line Challenge at the Creative Group Susan had her doubts about whether she should try this three month endeavor or not. There is a lot of work to do at home and she does well enough at her shows; she's a great beader and makes awesome statement pieces as you can see.
But she just couldn't put the idea down. Just as she always tends to carry on, she joined us, threw herself into the work, and ended up winning the challenge. She took herself completely outside her current design set and tried something novel, working with products from B'sue Boutiques
During this time, Susan's sister, Sally was quite ill....in fact, in hospice care. Susan visited her often and even entertained her one day with jewelry making. This day they made charm bracelets.
Susan eventually ended up WINNING the grand prize for the BALC challenge:
The win was bittersweet, because Sally passed a few days after this accomplishment.
Still Susan's spirit burns on, encouraging the rest, deflecting any praise from herself, and busy, busy, busy getting her Virginia garden ready:
I'm sure once she gets it in, her mind will go back to her workbench, getting new things to add to her line and ready for her shows. She is unstoppable.
You can follow her jewelry making here at the Woodside Wireworks Facebook page.
Today, a package arrived at the Post Office that I did not recognize.
Look what was in it!
WOW, look at those goodies!
COFFEE AND CHOCOLATE! And this cool kitchen towel:
Awful photo of me, but Lauren refused to model. Believe me, she would have been cuter.
Jordan was intrigued by the Bacon Chocolate bar....
Showing some teeth! LOL
But see what else.....
That note is THE BEST PART.
SO! here I am full of peanuts and chocolate. I'm feeling mighty fine because this very, very special lady.....and very talented artist.....surprised me with this marvelous gift. I had to share it with you.
AND NOW MISS SUSAN....when you get done out there in the yard, come in to the computer and use that 150.00 gift certificate you won, and order yourself up a bunch of B'sue goodies. I want to see what else you do on your "Deck Out That Denim" line of jewelry!
Most wonderful post and a well deserved win! I am so glad to read this and will share happily! You Brenda do touch us all!
Posted by: Nike Bottalico | April 15, 2015 at 06:14 PM
what a great tribute to Ms. Susan .. thank you for sharing Ms. Brenda .. hugs to all
Posted by: Jann Tague | April 15, 2015 at 06:17 PM
I love this post, because it is filled with so much love. Susan really is 'our friend.' She is such an inspiration to me, as are you, Brenda. Thanks for paying tribute to Susan.
Posted by: Vonda Stephenson | April 15, 2015 at 06:29 PM
How wonderful to get to know Susan more. This is a great blog Brenda Sue. You sure know how to lift us up.
Posted by: Sue Shade | April 15, 2015 at 06:33 PM
What a wonderful tribute to an amazing, spirited woman, whom I'm honored to call a friend. So well written, Brenda. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos and your story, Susan, and Brenda, for writing it!! Love you both!!
Posted by: Marcia Tuzzolino | April 15, 2015 at 06:41 PM
Sniff; sniff yippee OMG this is just the picture perfect blog about the ultimate classmate the "Unsinkable Susan!" Wow how good does it get to have such an amazing women honored for her creative talent and her unsinkable heart!! Thank you so much Susan for cheering me along during our entire Build A Line Process, your “Phenomenal Women” attitude truly carried me through! I am sending so much love and unlimited hugs for all that you do. Yes, yes, yes I am thrilled that you nailed the grand prize as the very first B'sue Boutiques “Build A Line Challenge winner your art work is just out standing!! Thank you Ms. B'sue for such an awesome blog! Always Grateful Louise
Posted by: Louise | April 15, 2015 at 06:45 PM
Chocolate, Coffee and Susan, now that's a wonderful post! <3
Posted by: Dana | April 15, 2015 at 06:48 PM
What a wonderful blog Brenda. I have only known Susan since I joined the group and I feel as if I've known her all my adult life. I love this lady's friendship, spirit, energy, talent, you name it. She is one fabulous lady. Thanks for sharing Susan's story with us. Big congrats again Susan on the BALC win. Love ya Lady!!
Posted by: Irene Hoffman | April 15, 2015 at 07:19 PM
I love Susan. She is an inspiration, and she is hilarious. That is a winning combination in my book.
Thank you for showcasing our dear friend.
Posted by: Melissa Latimer | April 15, 2015 at 07:37 PM
Louise said it all so well. Sniff sniff for me as well. I appreciate Susan so much for all of her inspiration, humor and love she shared especially through the BALC, all the while having to go through so much in her personal life. I was so glad she shared Sally with us. It makes you want to make the most of each day. Thanks to you Brenda for such a wonderful post and thank you to Susan for being in our lives. Hugs to you both.
Posted by: Janet Calardo | April 15, 2015 at 08:09 PM
This is fantastic, and so is Susan!
Posted by: Susan ~ Killam Creative | April 15, 2015 at 08:59 PM
A wonderful post honoring a spectacular person!
Posted by: RobinMiller | April 15, 2015 at 09:01 PM
Really good "portrait" of Susan. We got a cool inside look at her life and times.
Posted by: Lee Koopman | April 15, 2015 at 09:33 PM
Susan really is a special lady-and so are you Brenda. I love the group that has allowed me not only to learn new techniques, but get to "know" some pretty special people.
Posted by: Tommee Caldwell | April 15, 2015 at 10:18 PM
What a wonderful post and what a wonderful, special lady. I believe that Ms Susan is the original Wonder Woman :-)
Loved reading this. Shhh it got me a little bit teary too.
Posted by: Marica Zammit | April 16, 2015 at 12:23 AM
This is great
Posted by: Deb Beechy | April 16, 2015 at 02:22 AM
Enjoyed reading this post about a very special lady, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jackie | April 16, 2015 at 03:58 AM
Aww, what a lovely tribute for our dear, Susan. So nice getting to know you even more. LOVE the pic of you, your mom and daughter, just beautiful! Glad your able to enjoy the sunshine. <3
Catherine S.
Posted by: Catherine | April 16, 2015 at 04:08 AM
Brenda, you blew me away with this tribute! Thank you so much for keeping all of us inspired, and for being our friend. When I saw that kitchen towel, I knew the special lady I had to give it to, especially since our alumni class if filled with the most vibrant group of girls ever. Much love to you, dear lady. You made my day! Thank you so much. I can't wait to get this yard in shape so I can add some more mixed metals to my line. Time for a change of color! xoxoxo
Posted by: Susan Bowerman | April 16, 2015 at 06:54 AM
I had the pleasure of meeting Susan in person about a year ago. We live in the same metro area, but prior to that point we were just cyber acquaintances. She saw I was doing a craft show in her neck of the woods and graciously stopped in to say hello. Even in that short meeting, I can tell you she was just as kind, funny and charming as you imagine she is. What a well deserved post of recognition for a truly nice person. :-D
Posted by: Tammie Everly | April 16, 2015 at 07:39 AM
Such a nice post about a great on-line friend.
Posted by: Maria Clark | April 16, 2015 at 08:07 AM
Now you've got me sniffing too and I don't mean that in a bad way. What an inspiring woman Susan is and a darn fine artist as well.....
Posted by: Sherry Russell | April 16, 2015 at 08:44 AM
So many wonderful comments for one who really deserves them. I agree wth all of them. Keep on being the wonderful person you have always been. Love Sandy.
Posted by: sandy Evans | April 16, 2015 at 10:10 AM
Susie rocks! Always has--always will! She is an inspiration to me.
Posted by: Denise (Joyner) Sutton | April 16, 2015 at 11:10 AM
What a wonderful post! Susan is an inspiration with her lovely jewelry and her life. Thank you Brenda for all you do for us. The community you have created supports and inspires. I am so glad to be a part of it. Xoxo
Posted by: Chi | April 16, 2015 at 12:29 PM
What a wonderful lady!! So great to read about Susan and AMAZING that she keeps cooking on-=-still full of love and joy! :):)
Posted by: Alexandra Sefton | April 16, 2015 at 01:30 PM
What an amazing and heartfelt tribute to our beauty fuel Susan. I've never seen such a giving beautiful person with such a beautiful spirit and soul.Susan has always been an amazing designer and I so happy she won the challenge she so deserved it. I just want to say I love you bunches Susan and I'm proud to call you friend!
Posted by: Kristy Le | April 16, 2015 at 02:03 PM
This is so wonderful and thoughtful. I really got to know Susan during the BALC and am grateful to call her friend. She has great spirit and determination, and is such a wonderful person. I am so happy she won the challenge! Keep cooking on Susan!!
Posted by: Micheale Collie | April 16, 2015 at 02:28 PM
So well deserved!!
Posted by: Judy King | April 16, 2015 at 04:52 PM
The prize could not have gone to a more deserving person than Susan. The line she created is absolutely beautiful and I wish her well as she continues to build upon it. I have only had the pleasure of chatting with Susan on FB and becoming a friend of hers. I feel so blessed to be able to know someone as wonderful as she is. Thank you for sharing this story about Susan and also it does surprise me that she sent a Thank you gift to you Brenda it suits her personality to do something so kind.
Posted by: Jane Wallace | April 16, 2015 at 07:54 PM
Congratulations sweet lady 😉
Posted by: Frankie | April 17, 2015 at 09:41 AM
Susan, I didn't know all these things about you. You are always smiling, for sure. I love your garden. That bracelet is spectacular. I am sorry for the passing of your sister, Sally. I know that you made her last days so much better with your visits. You are very inspiring. What a nice surprise box for B'Sue and the gang! Wonderful post, there is so much learning, sharing, love and generosity among the B'sue group! It is truly unique. I'm so proud to be a part of it and know all of you.
Posted by: Renee Hong | April 17, 2015 at 12:05 PM
Dear Brenda, You all make me smile every day.
Thanks for sharing this story about Susan. She's been an inspiration and a blessing through the whole challenge class time and her spirit of carrying on through the deepest sorrow has really motivated me to just keep on - even if it's only for one more day.
Enjoy your chocolate!
Posted by: Teresa Schurter | April 21, 2015 at 05:44 PM