Artist Renee Mak

This past weekend I taught my  Fabulous Key Pendant Necklace with Vintage Jewelry! class at the studio.  I love teaching mixed media classes and always create right along with my students.  Here's the  pendant I created this weekend. I've been thinking a lot about dreams lately,  as in dreaming BIG, and so I chose the key that says "DREAMS" on it. Although vintage keys are great to use, I really like using the Tim Holtz keys from Archivers ! The keys have words engraved on them and come in a pack with several different shapes and sizes to choose from. I find my jewels at flea markets and thrift stores but you could also use vintage family jewelry and create fabulous keepsakes with sentimental value! The supplies for this  fabulous creation are simple... a key Mod Podge glitter E6000   vintage jewelry and a chain! And here's the simple skinny... (instructions) 1. Use the Mod Podge to adhere glitter to the key; allow to dry. 2.  Use E6000 to adhe...

Hooray!   It's my birthday once again and for some reason, I love to give presents to others on this day!  I've learned so much over the past year about art,  business and myself...  to say I'm grateful would be  an understatement.   Blessed beyond measure   would be way more accurate! And because of this, I want to bless others with some of my Fuss It Up! creations! The first necklace (top photo) is a tiny print of my original mixed media artwork on  a vintage ivory domino! It represents a heart overflowing with love, music and happiness. The second necklace (key) features a vintage  earring with glitter and the word "happy" in type  on the front.  It declares to the world that you've found the key to happiness. The third piece (above) is a mixed media soldered glass pendant necklace.  It has original artwork and the word  "happy" between two pieces of glass, soldered with lead free solder.  It again declares your ha...

"Trash to Treasure Mixed Media Class" Here are some of the classes I'm currently teaching and where! Classes offered through West Des Moines Community Education:   LEARNwest Winter/Spring Catalog 2012 Trash to Treasure~ Mixed Media Canvas! Wednesday February 1, 2012 7:00-9:00pm Create a fabulous mixed media collage painting using acrylic  paint and recycled items like used gift wrap, bubble wrap,  and even a used coffee cup! This workshop includes  all the materials, easy step-by-step instructions, and you will leave with a finished piece of artwork ready to hang on the wall!  NEW!    Vintage Photo Pendant Necklace   Wednesday February 8, 2012 7:00-9:00pm Do you love the look of old photos and all things vintage?  Now you can learn how to turn vintage photos into fabulous pendant necklaces in this  easy to understand, step-by-step workshop...

Holiday Giveaways! This week has passed by quickly and so have the  A Little Bit Of Everything Holiday Giveaways ! Here is the last giveaway... Copper & Clay Leaf Necklace from Dandy Designs DANDY DESIGNS Copper & Clay Leaf Necklace The piece entered for the giveaway is a stunning necklace fit for any occasion. Tiny clay leaves are treated with a metallic powder giving it a beautiful sheen, then varnished for protection, accented with hammered copper and chain. The closure is a handcrafted copper toggle clasp, a small detail that really finishes the necklace well and makes it into a piece of wearable art. Dandy Designs brings you handcrafted artisan jewelry. Polymer clay is used to hand sculpt each bead and pendant, or to inlay metal bezels with dazzling patterns. Combined with other materials such as metal, cording,  ribbons and leather the designs are endless and each piece is truly unique! Just go to the  Faceb...

Summer has ended and Fall has begun! Fuss It Up! Designs has once again signed up to be part of the East Village Sunday Bazaar each Sunday in September and October from 12noon until 4pm. The weather has been great and Fuss It Up! has once again been the most colorful spot on the block! Each week I bring a colorful display of artwork... personally designed and handmade jewelry... handmade journals for kids and adults... original collections... interesting gift items... and much much more! So mark your calendars and join me at the East Village Sunday Bazaar  in Downtown Des Moines... located at East 5th and Locust! You can find me next to Dandy Designs... the best polymer clay jewelry ever!

      Fuss It Up! Designs is a constant evolution of art, artists and creativity!   It’s a place where those who appreciate art or need a quick gift can stop in and shop the boutique for an artsy, one of a kind item!    We have been so busy with the outdoor markets since the weather has warmed up... and some while it was still quite chilly! Our Summer and Fall schedules are filled as well! As a matter of fact, you can find us out and about most weekends from now until the  Christmas shopping season. Fuss It Up! has added several new lines since last years market season but still  offers some of the same "fun, flirty & fabulous" finds... all hand made, of course! Artist Kelli Worth still offers her take on upcycled BLING... including belt buckles, vintage FUSSED UP skeleton keys, upcycled copper and the  always popular soldered dominos, anagrams and typewriter keys! Artist Angela Meijer has joined our team as visiting artist in...

When I think of Spring I think of warmer days... of light blue skies, tiny pink and purple flowers, Tiny Blue Flower and tiny turquoise robin eggs! Spring Jewelry I also pull Spring clothes out from the back of the closet... darker jewel tones give way to light, bright and airy colors. Dazzling Blues This one of a kind jewelry is like a breath of fresh air  after a long cold winter! Clear Blue Water It's light, bright and airy like the new season! Aqua Ice I say "welcome" to the first day of Spring and  all that it brings! What's your favorite thing about Spring???