SuzAnne Taylor: From Battlefield to Bench, a Metalsmith’s Healing Journey

SuzAnne Taylor is a silversmith and artist whose journey into jewelry began as an act of survival. After serving as a combat medic in Iraq, she returned home carrying invisible wounds and found herself struggling to reconnect with everyday life. It was during a stay at a VA hospital that her psychiatrist encouraged her to find a hobby—something to do with her hands, something to focus her energy. That simple suggestion opened a door.

A beginner’s chainmail class led to her first bracelet, and something clicked. The rhythm, the repetition, the quiet demand for presence—each small step helped anchor her in the here and now. Over time, and with the support of a kind and generous mentor, SuzAnne began to build a new life through her work at the bench.

Her work, especially her Tuff Gurlz line, honors the imperfect and the scarred, not only in the stones she chooses, but in the stories they represent—stories of survival, strength, and grace.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that art often finds us when we need it most—and that making with our hands can bring us back home to ourselves.

Follow along with SuzAnne...

SuzAnne on Instagram: @stonesandsterlingbytaylor

SuzAnne’s longtime Instagram account @taylormadesilver was removed by Meta without explanation and she is currently working to restore it and will return to this account if possible.

SuzAnne’s Website: taylormadesilver.com

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