Meet Susanne from Rose Rouge. Susanne has been making, well, forever! Find out more about her and her special craftwork below.
Tell us what you do?
I combine my knowledge of sewing and embriodery to make a range of exquisite handmade gifts, for that very special someone in your life, that are uniquely crafted and cannot be purchased in stores.
I make silk ribbon and organza hand embriodered cushions. Rose and Lavender hand embriodered fragrance bags that soothe the senses and smell fantastic.
Lovingly decorated lavender hearts, designer aprons, minature embroidered velvet bags and jewellery pouches are some of my most popular gift selections.
How did you get started creating?
I have always had a passion to create something beautiful. When I was a child I would wait until the family went to bed and get mums sewing machine out and in the morning I had completed a fabulous garment to wear. My mother always gave me alot of support and was amazed at what I had created.
After returning from travelling in the US I gave up corporate life to have a family. My husband bought me a terrific sewing machine and an overlocker and I went to night sewing classes tolearn how to make the best use of them.
I found a real joy in the craft and love multi-tasking. I found watching TV was just idol time and therefore, I often work on my embriodery at night.
Instead of spending hours shopping for generic mass produced items that everyone has or can get, I spent my time inventing and creating one-off uniquely special gifts for the people close to me and my friends. As a hobby, I discovered that there was more joy in making these gifts for other people, who wished to delight their own friends with special gifts of love.
What inspires you?
My young daughter over the years has inspired me to make a lot of items that I never thought I could actually do. As a child, she does not see any boundaries and has challenged me to make all sorts of unusual things and in a very short timeframe. Mermaid tails, countless fancy dresses, teddy bears, ragdolls, wedding dresses made out of trash and so the list goes on.
Beautiful fabric has always inspired me and when I found that material was lacking something special, I started embriodering on it. Beautiful flowers also inspire me. And of course being surrounded by a lot of very talented people at the Devonport Craft Market is really inspiring and rewarding.
What is your favorite reading material?
Your Home and Garden, Vogue, and Creative Embriodery. Actually any craft books I can get my hands on at the Library.
Your favorite food?
High tea at The Brookview Tea House is one of my favourites. And summer fruits including mouthwatering strawberries.
What is your favorite online inspiration site, online shop or blog?
Trelise Cooper Fabric and Pretty Things has to be my favourite fabric store. www.trelisecooper.com
The Ribbon Rose is a treasure trove I regularly visit.
and Etsy of course!
Where did the name Rose Rouge come from?
The name RoSe RouGe came from the fact that I just adore Roses and love all shades of the colour red. Coincidentally, the name contains both of my own initials - SG :)
As a result, you will find a lot of my gift range is embroidered with roses.
When you are not at the Devonport Craft Market, where can people buy your lovely products?
You can find me every Fortnight at The Orewa Craft Market and The Kingsway Designer Evening www.shop4christmas.co.nz
Offer for Readers
Susanne has a wonderful offer for all readers of this profile - Mention you have read this RoSe RouGe interview and purchase two hand-embroidered fragrance bags of your choice in rose or lavender, for a very special price of just $16 (for both). These will make an ideal gift or a special treat. Great to stock up on now for Christmas. Available while stocks last.
