Suzanne is descended from Amish stock. She came out west from art school in Toronto via Europe, traveling in a gypsy wagon; and then, acting on her Amish urges, took up farming in Oregon. Textiles had already become a part of her life (aren't they a part of us all?) and since she had a lot of sheep, and even a few rabbits, it was natural for such a resourceful person to start making great quantities of wonderful items from her animals' fleeces.

When the time was right, she took to the road again in her gypsy wagon. She met people where they gathered at fairs and festivals, and sold her wares; and many asked her to teach them her wonderful ways with wool, and she did - especially the children.

The winds have now brought her to Vancouver. The gypsy wagon goes ‘round in the summer time with kids and dogs and friends along for adventures. The rest of the time, she lives in a nice big house on the edge of the woods and brings enthusiasm and inspiration to her handwork classes for kids and grownups throughout the city.

Rebecca Graham (not pictured) is Suzanne's sometime-collaborator.

She met Suzanne in the late spring of 2008. Rebecca is much more of a forest gnome than a gypsy, but she wisely saw that gnomes and gypsies can be fantastic complements to each other.

Nina Jones (not pictured) is another wonderful addition to the mix, coming on board in 2009 and adding her keen style sense and excellent sewing skills to the RAW label.