Sue Broadway – Founder, Artist, Jewelry Maker

Sue Broadway founded Extra Touch of Class, which later became Broadway Gallery, in 1978. She spent years building the business, taking it from her townhome to our current production facility in Alexandria, and beyond. Upon retiring in 1994, she turned her focus onto a different avenue of creation: jewelry making. 

Sue began creating at a young age; around 6 or so she learned to sew and loved it! Soon sewing outfits for herself and her friends turned into making evening wear and wedding dresses. Naturally, you can’t have a wedding dress without accessories so that led Sue into creating veils, tiaras, and jewelry. During this time she was performing in theatre and dancing all across Europe. Both the dancing and the jewelry making came to a pause when she met and married Doc Broadway, moved to the U.S. and started a family. Doc came back from time abroad with the U.S. Air Force to find that Sue had started a small framing business in their home and Broadway Gallery was born.

For the last 30 years, Sue has expanded her jewelry making skills. Working with a variety of beads and gemstones such as amethyst, pearl, and cubic zirconia, she makes whatever moves her, be it earrings, pendants, or necklaces. She also began working in fine silver clay. This smooth plasticine-like clay is malleable and hand sculptable but when fired, turns into .999 pure silver. This allows Sue to sculpt delicate flower petals, imprint patterns and textures, and inlay gems to make completely unique pieces. Her silver clay work, like all of her jewelry, is one of a kind. 

Sue will be in the galleries this November to showcase her works. Stop by Great Falls on November 6th from 3-8pm or Alexandria on November 7th from 10am-5pm to meet Sue, learn more about her process, and explore her beautiful creations.