Inside the Creative Process

In her studio, Susanne Williams is surrounded by color, texture, and inspiration. A self-taught textile artist, she discovers new ways to manipulate leather by hand and create three-dimensional pieces – without using mechanical presses, molds, or water. Her tactile experiments emerge as sculptural handbags – functional works of art, all of original designs. 

Susanne uses a saddle/tack sewing machine to stitch the bags and finishes them with her signature – a meandering topstitching detail. Inside, the side panels are bonded with leather and the bags are lined in vintage necktie fabric or upholstery remnants. The artist signs each piece with a wood-burning tool. 

Susanne’s Story 

By definition, the phrase “willy nilly” means “haphazardly.” For this business venture, the name is a play on Susanne’s last name – Williams. It’s also a nod to her need to chase a dream.

Always of a creative and problem-solving mind, Susanne sewed her first project for 4-H when she was 7 years old – a blue corduroy dirndl skirt with a pink and blue plaid button-up blouse. A fond memory, she remembers it like it was yesterday. Throughout her life, Susanne has dabbled in other creative mediums, including painting and drawing. 

Susanne lived another chapter before emerging as a full-time artist. She holds a PhD in communication from Wayne State University and she spent 12 years in the academic world, teaching communication courses at Minnesota State University Moorhead. In a tenured position, she earned a promotion to associate professor and then served as the assistant to the president for university communication for nearly a decade. The date June 30, 2008 appears in the last line of her academic chapter. Since then, she’s lived her dream as a full-time artist. 

Susanne and her husband Tim have one, Oliver. The trio cares for three cats and 20 goldfish.

Accolades 

2012 NICHE Award Finalist in Fashion Accessories for the piece titled "Crinkled Leather Day Bag"

2011 NICH Award Winner in Fiber: Surface Design for the piece titled "Crinkle Leather Mirror Frame"

2011 NICHE Award Finalist in Fashion Accessories for the piece titled "Fire-Puckered Shoulder Bag"

2010 NICHE Award Winner in Fiber: Surface Design for the piece titled "Crinkle Leather Satchel"

Video -- an interview with Susanne at the Buyers Market of American Craft, Summer 2010.