workingwoman ♥s fuzzishü

workingwoman has put together a fantastic treasury that includes fuzzishu's 'squarings' and fellow Iowan handmadepretties' recycled sweater balls. This group of colorful offerings is just what we need to greet spring with. I don't know about you, but the swirly circle quilt and wildflower wall decor are calling me!!! Check out workingwoman's 'Are we having fun yet?' treasury here.

Steampunk Pendant @ studio fuzzishu

We had a great time making some steampunk-esque pendants the other night at the studio. The students were given packets of odds and ends and a short time to come up with their designs. After a few demos they began to create their pieces. Everyone did a fantastic job! We ran out of time before oxidizing the pieces to give them that antique-y feel but I think they turned out great either way!

Jewelry Bites @ the Des Moines Art Center

[jewelry bites necklace sample by fuzzishu]

This past Thursday was the first of three sessions of Jewelry Bites, an introductory jewelry workshop, at the Des Moines Art Center. We have a full class of twelve (12!) excited novice jewelers. Our first class was also jam packed with new technique demos and a chance to try their hands at them. We covered sawing, filing, finishing, texturing/stamping, and 2 kinds of rivets. They also received homework and will bring back sketches of their ideas for next class. Check back in two weeks to see the fantastic pieces they come up with!

Waikiki Wabbit...I mean, Wine

studio fuzzishu is helping to sponsor the Tropical Wine Festival this Friday at the Botanical Center from 6 to 9pm. There will be a steel drum band, delicious nibblies, over 15 wineries to sample and a nice tropical respite from the cold blowing winter weather. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. I hope you can join us - be sure to wear your most festive tropical gear, there are prizes for the best dressed ;)

A Passel of Profession Rings

Saturday's J101 class just finished a fantastic set of profession rings. Everything from a teacher to a heart surgeon. Yay soldering! We've just begun the final project - wire link bracelets. Check back for more student projects soon.

Another thank you in 3D

One of my students brought studio fuzzishu a nifty present - a bag full of 6g. copper wire.

I decided to make her a thank you gift as well, a forged copper bracelet.

I had to guesstimate a good starting size, anneal and solder it.

I then began forming the bracelet's tapering hammered shape on my anvil (yay, anvil!)

I cheated just a little and used the saw to remove the extra flare rather than taper the ends with a hammer.


Then some filing and refining.

And voila! Bracelet - so simple and comfy I had to make one for myself too :D

Ta Da!

Newly designed logo for the studio end of fuzzishu. Comments? Critiques? Congratulations? ;-p

FourHearts ♥s fuzzishü

A big thank you to fourhearts for featuring my 9 element a go go necklace in her 'vivid' treasury. Look at all the pretty colors! You can check them out here.

a 'thank you' in 3D

I whipped out this 'worry stone' keychain as a thank you to friend who gifted me a variety of steel ball bearings the other day. The idea of a moving ball riveted between two sheets of metal was given to me a few months back by my student Cindy. Thanks Cindy! And JV for the BBs.

coppersonja ♥s fuzzishü

coppersonja has put together a wonderful colorful and glass filled treasury and featured a fuzzishu necklace. Please go check it out here. We'll get an a.go.go 9 element on the front page of etsy one of these days ;)