Lake Life Review
Oh my, do I have something for you all to do! I just had the most fun appointment at B Fused Permanent Jewelry with Joy! I think I’m officially hooked… I’m ready to go back tomorrow!
B Fused is tucked inside the Old School Mercantile (the former Okoboji Middle School in Arnolds Park). The moment I walked in, Becca greeted me with enough enthusiasm to make me think I was a VIP! We dove right into all things permanent jewelry before Joy even got there (sorry, Joy, I couldn’t wait!).
The plan is to decide if you want a ring, bracelet, anklet or a necklace. Then decide what type of chain you would like. You choose from sterling silver, gold filled, or rose gold chains. After you select that color, you have to decide on which actual chain you want. None of these chains will tarnish, if it is looking a little dull, just use some regular jewelry cleaner and it will shine it right up. After those decisions are made you can be done. OR you can pick a charm. Becca has stones representing each month, if you want to go the route of a birthstone, or just pick your favorite color. She also has some other types of charms like the cancer ribbon, a cross, oh my, a cute paw print, and so many more. CHOICES!
Now, if you know me, you know I struggle with making decisions. So naturally, I spent a solid 15 minutes agonizing over my options. I walked in pretty sure I wanted a bracelet, but then Becca’s layered necklace caught my eye—talk about making an outfit pop! And the best part? The jewelry is permanent, so every day her outfit is going to have that extra sparkle. Becca said, "You just get up, throw on your clothes, and without thinking, you already look put together. You can always layer more jewelry, but this gives you that everyday ‘oomph’ without any effort."
Of course, this got me thinking—should I get a necklace instead? But wait—then I noticed her rings! She had two delicate chain rings, and then she showed me a charm ring. A charm ring! How adorable would that be as a mother’s ring? At this point, my brain was like, "Why not just get everything?"
Meanwhile, Joy shows up and—are you ready for this?—she picks her charm and bracelet in about five seconds flat. ARE YOU SERIOUS? How does she decide so quickly?! So Joy’s up first. Becca works her magic, sizes her up, and gives a recommendation on bracelet length, but still checks to make sure it’s comfy for Joy. Joy agrees (because she’s decisive like that), and then it’s time for the fun part—the fusing!
Now, don’t worry, “fusing” sounds way scarier than it is. Becca spot-welds a little chain link shut, and voilà, permanent jewelry! In Joy’s case, she has two little rings attached because of her charm, and the whole process takes under three minutes (unless you’re like me and distract Becca with endless questions while she’s working ). But seriously, it’s quick and painless.
I, on the other hand, was still standing there with zero decisions made. So, naturally, I pretended I was confident and went with the bracelet (like I originally planned) and added an opal charm for some extra flair. Off I went to get mine welded on, and honestly, it was so fun that I forgot I was making a "forever" commitment.
Now, before you panic, I know what you're thinking—"But what if I need an MRI?!" Or "What if my daughter plays sports and she can’t wear it during games?" Fear not! Becca can add a clasp to make it removable. She has worked with cancer patients who need to remove jewelry during treatments, so these pieces are truly for anyone. But if you're like me, the permanent option is just too cool to pass up!
If, for any reason, you ever need to take it off, you just snip the “ring” she uses to attach the ends, save your bracelet, and Becca will fuse it back on with a fresh link when you're ready—then there you are, back in business.
As we were choosing our chains, Becca started sharing some fun stories about the variety of people she’s helped with permanent jewelry. It turns out, bachelorette parties are a huge hit—what better way to mark the big day with a lasting keepsake? She sees everything from solo walk-ins to groups of friends looking for a fun bonding experience. Honestly, it’s the perfect idea for any girls' night out!
Fair warning—before Becca even finished welding my first bracelet, I was already dreaming of what I’d get next. I’m thinking a mother’s charm ring with all the family birthstones… or maybe another bracelet. Becca’s been rocking three layered ones for two years, and they still look amazing! Then again, those layered necklaces she has are calling my name…
As I write this, I keep glancing down at my new bracelet, and it feels like it's always been there. It just sits perfectly in place and adds a little sparkle to my day.
Now, who's ready for a return trip with me?