Xinshi Metalwork ReviewCraft Your Love Story: A Japanese Artisan Wedding Ring Experience

Founders Shun and Hane met at a Tokyo jewelry design school, where they studied jewelry making, design drawing, and gemology. After graduating, they each spent several years working in Japan's jewelry industry, gaining extensive practical experience. This also led to a deep connection with century-old jewelry companies Kajita and Fujimori. Kajita and Fujimori wanted to extend their centuries-old jewelry craftsmanship into a more personal, hands-on experience, allowing every couple to interact closely with artisans and create their own unique wedding rings. This vision brought Sunny Side Studio to life.

The character “昕” (xīn) symbolizes the rising sun and the warmth of its light, reflecting the hope that every love story can be cherished in such a space. A wedding ring isn't just a custom-made product; it's a shared memory in the making. As President FUJIMORI once said, “Meaningful experiences in life are often more precious than simply owning material possessions.”

Sunny Side Studio has two experience spaces. The second floor is a workshop for 925 silver rings, bracelets, K18 wire rings, and other items. It features a dark green and wood-toned aesthetic, complete with a large window offering lush green views, creating a serene environment for guests to enjoy quality time with their partners, friends, or family.

The third floor is an exclusive experience space dedicated to wedding bands and engagement rings. It also features large windows, bringing natural greenery and warm sunlight indoors. SHUN and HANE deliberately chose dark wood and off-white as the main colors for the space, symbolizing the purity of a wedding while echoing the warm, minimalist aesthetic of Japanese design. Dark wood furniture and green plants accent the room, creating a truly inviting atmosphere.

The studio also embodies the Japanese artisan spirit of "handmade completion" in every detail. The walls are coated with "shikkui" plaster from Japan, meticulously applied layer by layer by SHUN and HANE themselves, preserving the irregular textures and feel of handmade craftsmanship. Even the Taichung Metalworking workbenches used by guests and every tool, from initial concept and size planning to design drawings, were personally designed and created by SHUN and HANE with an artisan's perspective!

Sunny Side Studio carries on the crafting methods of its sister workshop in Japan, where the forging process involves repeated heating, hammering, stretching, and shaping. This makes the metal grains more compact (often called work hardening), resulting in rings that typically have higher hardness and better wear resistance—perfect for wedding bands that are worn daily and subjected to everyday wear and tear.

Unlike casting, Japanese forging doesn't require a long wait time; you can take your finished ring home the very same day! And because each step is adjusted by hand, it's perfect for small-batch production or custom orders.

Every participant starts with K18 gold or platinum 950 precious metal, personally hammering and shaping it to create their own wedding ring. Each step of the forging process not only results in a unique wedding band but also offers a glimpse into the Japanese artisans' dedication to craftsmanship and meticulous detail. It's like nurturing a precious relationship, where every step deserves gentle care.

Japan is renowned for its Taichung Metalworking, particularly its "K-gold color aesthetics" and "forging techniques." The Japanese place great emphasis on how metals complement skin tones, leading to highly refined standards in modern precious metal alloy ratios. The rose gold or champagne gold crafted by Japanese artisans often involves subtle adjustments to the proportions of silver, copper, or palladium to achieve a metal color that better suits East Asian complexions.

From the warm glow of K18 gold to the pure luster of Platinum 950, each material carries a distinct personality and story. K18 gold comes in three shades—champagne gold, rose gold, and yellow gold—each showcasing a unique Japanese aesthetic. Platinum 950, known for its stability, resistance to discoloration, hypoallergenic properties, and high durability, remains the timeless and classic choice for wedding rings.

Sunny Side Studio is the only workshop in Taiwan offering two-tone ring courses with K18 gold and platinum 950. The combination of platinum and K gold creates a visually dynamic ring, and because both are stable metal materials, there's no need to worry about oxidation or discoloration. If you're looking to handcraft a truly unique and timeless ring, a two-tone design comes highly recommended!

Sunny Side Studio has always aimed to incorporate Japanese landscapes into its ring designs. Many styles draw inspiration from Japan's natural world, such as the bark patterns of white birch trees in cold regions, the "Earth Texture" inspired by riverbed stones in Sakuho-machi, Nagano Prefecture, and the "Snowfield Texture" of winter snowscapes. There are seven distinct textures to choose from.

These textures aren't just inspired by photos or online searches; they come from places SHUN and HANE have truly seen and explored. They wanted to transform these natural elements into textures unique to Sunny Side Studio, ensuring that each one isn't just a design, but a landscape, a memory, and a story you can wear for a lifetime.

Interestingly, different textures yield unique effects on different metals, and if you're considering a diamond setting for your ring, the ripple pattern is a very popular choice. You can freely control the depth and size of the ripples by varying your hammering force, creating a truly handcrafted feel. The subtly uneven surface won't overshadow the diamond's brilliance; instead, it enhances the gem's beauty.

Sunny Side Studio primarily caters to newlyweds and couples about to tie the knot, making their Japanese wedding ring workshop the most popular choice for Taichung Metalworking. You can choose between K18 gold and platinum for your wedding rings, both offering unique luster, oxidation resistance, and durability—perfect for everyday wear and as a symbol of enduring marriage! If you want to add diamonds or other gemstones, you can select them on the spot and take your rings home the same day!

The workshop features a high proportion of hands-on work. From measuring ring sizes and hand-stamping text to bending, shaping, and polishing, you'll even get to perform "platinum welding," a rare technique in Taiwan that requires professional eye protection in high temperatures. This immersive experience offers maximum ritual and commemorative value. If you need engagement rings or wedding bands, we highly recommend making them yourself at Sunny Side Studio!

Beyond wedding ring workshops, those new to Taichung Metalworking, or couples and friends looking for matching rings, can opt for the 925 silver ring or stacking ring workshops. With proper care, these pieces will last a long time, making them a perfect keepsake to cherish.

The wedding ring Taichung Metalworking class offers one-on-one, appointment-only service, with each session personally guided by Sunny Side Studio founders SHUN and HANE, a Taiwanese-Japanese couple. They meticulously explain every step of the metalworking process and the techniques for each tool, all while chatting with the couples like old friends, helping them create the world's most beautiful and unique wedding bands.

This personalized service ensures that even complete beginners can quickly pick up the craft and enjoy the fun of making their own rings. SHUN and HANE also provide hands-on assistance with refining and finishing, preserving the students' handmade touches while elevating the overall craftsmanship.

During the 2.5 to 3-hour wedding ring workshop, there's a 10-minute tea break where couples can enjoy Japanese refreshments while SHUN and HANE put the finishing touches on their rings.

If you book at least two days in advance, the workshop provides a special Japanese Showa-style pudding, a collaboration with O~i! Cafe and made by the owner from Nara. You can also enjoy this traditional Japanese Showa-style pudding at the metalworking studio.

Juliet initially thought handmade wedding rings might lack the refined elegance of fine jewelry, but the actual experience completely changed her mind. Sunny Side Studio imports K18 gold and platinum 950 from Japan, offering metals with understated, warm hues, each exuding a distinct texture. These are paired with unique patterns inspired by Japanese nature, creating stunning and distinctive effects on different metals. The selection is far richer than expected, with each ring a work of art, thoroughly dispelling Juliet's preconceived notions about handmade Taichung Metalworking rings.

Sunny Side Studio's wedding ring Taichung Metalworking class allows you to complete almost every step yourself, from stamping and annealing to shaping and engraving, all under the careful guidance of skilled artisans. Even without any prior experience, you can enjoy the process with confidence. Juliet was especially impressed that even the metalworking benches were custom-designed by SHUN and HANE, and every tool was meticulously selected and customized. This wasn't just for ease of use; it also reflected the Japanese artisans' dedication to detail. From the tools and the space to the experience itself, every thoughtful touch conveyed immense care. The sense of accomplishment as a precious metal slowly transforms into a ring in your hands is truly indescribable, making this wedding ring not just a piece of jewelry, but a cherished memory created together that will last a lifetime.

The most touching part of the wedding ring Taichung Metalworking experience at Sunny Side Studio wasn't just crafting the rings by hand, but the warmth from SHUN and HANE throughout the entire process. From the initial material and texture selection to every detail of the creation, a master artisan provided patient, one-on-one guidance. Even if it's your first time trying Taichung Metalworking, you can complete your piece in a relaxed and reassuring atmosphere. Beyond the professional technical instruction, the refreshments provided added a touch of Japanese hospitality and thoughtfulness to the experience. What's more, a dedicated photographer was on hand to capture candid moments of the two of you creating and enjoying each other's company.

What you take away isn't just a handmade wedding ring, but a cherished memory. As SHUN and HANE hoped, "We want everyone leaving Sunny Side Studio to take with them not just a ring, but a memory that still brings happiness years later." Because what's truly precious isn't just the ring itself, but the smiles, warmth, and stories the two of you created together on that day.