Susan Newberg and Phyllis Tracy: Neptune 1

The idea for Neptune 1 Studios was born when Phyllis Tracy was asked to create a themed table for Tablescapes, a fundraising event at the Lee Mansion in Marblehead, Massachusetts. An artist, decorator and mural painter herself, Phyllis fell in love with the 18th century hand-painted wallpaper of the Lee Mansion and chose this as her theme. She asked Sue Newberg, who had recently graduated from Salem State College with a degree in graphic arts, to join her, and together they created decoupage plates and corked hard place mats from the mural's details.

Thus began Neptune 1 Studios, the creative collaboration built on Phyllis' 30-plus years of art and interior decorating world experience and Sue's expertise and talented eye in the graphics, business, and computer world. The response to the Tablescape Project was so enthusiastic that the two women knew they had created something special: offering beautiful decoupage plates that are each connected with an early American heritage storyline.

Both Phyllis and Susan have enjoyed living most of their lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The two met through their sons' friendships and hockey schedules. They also share common interests in art, golf, the love of the sea and a sense of humor. Phyllis graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in 1975 with a BFA in art education. She went on to develop an art curriculum and teach elementary school art to K-6 in Nahant, Ma. She also wrote and taught art grants for inner city Boston schools as well as rural one- and two-room school houses in Vermont. In 2005, Phyllis founded Phyllis Tracy Interiors, a full service interior design company.

Susan comes from a large family that is both involved in and dedicated to preserving the history of Marblehead. She established Fox Point Design, a company providing graphic design services. Susan's role at Neptune 1 includes photographing the historical images and creating the production-ready artwork, as well as insuring that all the historical facts are accurate.

Neptune 1 is continuing to expand their line finely handcrafted decoupage plates using rare and historically significant images. Their mission is to share the hidden treasures of American History found in local historical societies, historic homes, museum collections and archives through the home décor market. To this end they are now working with Historic New England, an institution that works to preserve 36 homes throughout New England.