A new year brings more new artists and designs to the Organic Bug family.  We were thrilled to add FUZ; an innovative line of modern home accessories to our sustainable collection.  Designer Josh Jakus of Berkeley, California is the artist behind these smart and elegant pieces for the home.   His work is inspired by the connection between form and function.

Josh embraces what he calls a “strict material sensibility~using materials in their simplest form so intrinsic qualities show through~and a rigorous design efficiency that strives to get the most impact out of the fewest moves.”

We are not surprised to learn that Josh is an architect by training with an M.Arch from UC Berkeley. Studying architecture was a way to continue his lifelong interest in the nature of structure, space and materials. With his understanding of the built environment and how it is inhabited, coupled with his innate curiosity and passion for pushing the envelope, Josh founded his design practice in 2005.  He began by designing pressed wool felt UM Handbags made from industrial factory excess and went on to experiment with other post-industrial waste materials.  Some of his current products the Josh Jakus FUZ Winepocket made from recycled grey wool from factory excess (featured on our homepage)  and (I love this one!) the 6-Pack Set of Coasters made from recycled rubber from tires and other factory excess.

All of the Josh Jakus collections are made in the USA. By producing small batches to meet customer demand, the company not only stays lean and local, they can better oversee quality and offer reasonable pricing that remains competitive. This labor of love keeps Josh in the driver’s seat and I, for one, am happy to ride along and enjoy the scenery.

Happiest making things that are meant to be used, he hopes his functional designs will attempt to foster a more intuitive understanding of all objects in the people who use them.