that features original vintage paper imagery & resin. every ‘joey’ design is one-of-a-kind and honors the integrity of the original materials used and reimagines them.

I’m Susan Forker, a collector, curator & maker.

A little bit about me:  I grew up in New England, but lived in New York and California prior to settling in Pennsylvania with my family. My studio is housed in a Civil War era barn that we moved onto our property and renovated. I love living and creating amongst such rich history and am inspired by it everyday.  

The materials that I use for joeyfivecents are individually sourced from all over - I thrive on the discovery of unique components and long forgotten ephemera that still have stories to tell. In my ‘previous life,’ I worked as a film editor, manipulating moving images and sound as a means to tell a narrative. although I now work with vintage paper and resin, I continue to focus on finding the story in each handmade piece and telling it in a way that speaks to a modern audience.

My line of jewelry and accessories draws inspiration from the past, but is presented in a modern context that feels playful and familiar. All of my finished work features selectively culled and curated original vintage paper imagery that I carefully cut, seal and preserve in layers of resin in my home studio. Using mixed metal bezels, repurposed vintage chain, beads and findings, I create delightfully minimalist to knockout statement pieces and unisex belt buckles that feature original vintage pulp bookcovers & wallpaper graphics that are all one-of-a-kind.

want to know more about my studio and process? I was honored to have been featured on etsy’s blog series ‘inspiring workspaces' - find the story here: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/inspiring-workspaces-joeyfivecents/383146492966

what’s in a name?

my shop name ‘joeyfivecents’ is borrowed from the 1977 film ‘annie hall’. there’s a scene involving ‘joey nichols’ and the main character as a boy. joey repeatedly reminds the boy about his last name which ends with a dramatic slapping of a nickel on his forehead proclaiming, ‘you can always remember my name, just think 'joeyfivecents’! It’s a memorable moment from that film - a bit silly and irreverent, but it always struck me as the perfect name for a business!