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Sussy's Ceramics

Sandy, Utah

Jolene Shields

Celebrating the Human Spirit through Ceramics

Sussy's Ceramics was born out of Jolene Shield's passion for creativity and her need for a home-based income. In 1982, Jolene began producing hand-crafted ceramics and home decorating items to help pay for the costs of daycare for her three small children. The extra $200 to $300 she earned each month were critical to meeting her household expenses each month.

As her sales grew, her products were picked up in Park City , and eventually they caught the attention of a sales representative from San Francisco . Soon, they were featured in a permanent showroom there, and with so many requests to cater to new clients living in 'wine country,' Jolene developed a new technique to customize her pieces. Her annual sales soared.

" You will never know how much of a lift this has given my self esteem and confidence."

Jolene Shields

But then in 1997, her life took a stressful turn. She found herself facing divorce proceedings and a subsequent home foreclosure. Without an adequate place to operate her business, Jolene thought she had reached a dead end. She found herself with children to care for and no other financial support.

Thanks to a $3,000 microenterprise loan, Jolene was able to purchase a new kiln and pouring table so she could pour her own molds in the basement of the home she was renting. She was also able to fire her own molds, which significantly reduced production time.

Sussy's Ceramics products are now available at the Art Garden, Country Furniture and Appleyard Art. Her creative designs include personalized pieces for new babies, birthdays, anniversaries and other holidays.

Although Jolene is not yet rolling in money, she is happier and feels more in control of her own life than ever before. She incorporates this sense of spiritual triumph in to all of her work.

"All things happen for a reason," Jolene says. "You just have to believe in your dreams!"

To learn more about how a microenterprise loan helped Jolene accomplish her small business goals at Sussy's Ceramics, feel free to call her at 801-942-6175.

Visit the Sussy's Ceramics web site at: www.sussysceramics.com