Mt Sues Creations, Missoula, MT
Hello my name is Susan Dodson. Raising my sons on my own gave me the creativity and willpower to “do whatever it takes” to make ends meet and still raise my boys in a healthy Native traditional home. My family moved to Polson, Montana in 1984 when my dad retired from the Navy and I have lived in Montana off and on ever since.
I have been doing crafts for 40 years as a hobby which includes crocheting, cross stitch, embroidery, quilting, painting, and beadwork (French beading, brick stitch, basket weave, 1 and 2 needle applique.) I taught French beading at the Salish Kootenai College in the spring of 2008 where I received my BA in Business (2008), AAS Office Education (1997), AAS Dental Assisting (1997) and my Certificate in Fashion Merchandising from Scranton, PA. In April 2014 & April 2015 I taught Native American Basic Beading at Flathead Valley Community College. In April 2014 I participated in the Sandpiper Gallery Art Show, In May 2014 I participated in the Hot Springs Art Society Art Show where my Red Butterfly Amulet won a Merit Ribbon, In May - June 2015 I participated in the Hot Springs Art Society Art Show and my Irish Rose Amulet won a ribbon. In the 2015 school year have been teaching Native American Beading Classes at the Learning Center in Missoula, Montana.
I got started crocheting and doing embroidery when I was 5 years old with my great grandma and my mom. How I got hooked on beading was when I stopped by to visit my mom at one of her beading classes in college her instructor asked me if I was visiting and when I said yes she told me if you visit you bead when I told her I had no supplies she loaded me up and I have been beading ever since. The love of creating beautiful, one of a kind jewelry (“barrettes, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, moccasins, purses”, pictures, weddings -corsages, table runners, hair accessories, flower arrangements, tiaras) and etc. has given me the drive to start my own business.
