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My name is Connie Marie Fuerstenberg. I am a native to Dubuque, IA. I graduated Dubuque Senior High Class of 1996 where I first developed my real passion for art with basics in ceramics and photography. I graduated from Clarke College (now Clarke University) in May 2002 with a BA in ceramic sculpture with emphasis in painting. I graduated from Kirkwood Community College in December 2007 with associate of applied science in interior design. I am also a single mother of 2 loving people with autism, Brandon and Katelynn Tomkins. Over the past 18 years, my children have inspired me daily as they continue to grow. We focus on the positive skills they are continuing to develop in problem-solving, fine motor skills, attention span and creativity.
Connie Fuerstenberg Designs products are inspired by Kate’s love of the colors, Brandon’s love to help take things apart, and from all of our love for nature from the sea to wildlife and our beautiful city and country with passion to help save our planet.
Connie Fuerstenberg Designs portfolio includes art work that dates back to her college years at Clarke where she may have been required to use some hazardous materials like oil paints to bondo for sculpture adhesive. She no longer works with any toxic materials especially since there are many alternative products that can create the same effects she needs. Art restoration or upcycling process may currently require her to wear a dust mask as health precaution mostly when working with wood working tools, as saw dust is hazardous.
Connie Fuerstenberg’s most well-known art work is her sea mural from 2013 at Health From Within Chiropractic, in Dubuque, IA, made of all non-toxic acrylic paints and sealant. Also in 2013, Connie was commissioned for her first 2 E-book covers also made in acrylic paints for the original paintings with text added in the computer. She is currently working on 2 more E-book covers and 2 illustrations for a total of 4 books to one day be self-published by local new author, David Henry Patton. She also works on upcycle projects and sewing patches and hems to Brandon’s clothes he rips daily, but it gives her some sewing practice.
Most items in our portfolio have been commissioned or sold already but similar items can be made for custom orders. Commissions of custom designed products are available but time and costs vary depending on the scale and detail of products, which can be discussed through e-mails and phone calls. Store products are coming soon, there is limited availability but they can be made to order products, requiring 4 weeks lead time from purchasing to shipment for allowing production time.
These upcycled products have been donated to local charity auctions over the past few years, if you have a local charity event you are looking for business sponsors, please contact me and let me know if there is a donation fee to put my business name in your advertisements as sponsor.
Over the past few years, Connie has been primarily focused on teaching herself to upcycle. This is continuously challenging but rewarding process to help save items from the landfill to create healthy, beautiful and functional art that is not just decoration but serves a purpose for the client. Connie and her kids has worked with upcycling.