sasha + max studio

A trio of very different styles - sums up my head space this weekend. On a a small hiatus for a few days (after the post holiday soul searching), I've finished a design role last week with one firm (sad to say goodbye to a very nice and talented group), and will be starting a really fabulous new one with old colleagues in a great senior position on Wednesday  - tres exciting! Less beading time ahead though, so I've been a beading maniac this weekend ....think it's going to be a big week.

There's a show at a friends place in a couple of weeks, so I've been a one woman beading machine - I really enjoy making earrings as you can take colour risks, and it's quick creative gratification.And hey, if it doesn't work you pull it apart and start again. The lovely beads and pieces are from my hoarded bead stash from Blue Seraphim, Bleu Verre,  Outwest, Round Rabbit, Chinook, Humblebeads and some of Miss Ficklemedia's copper rosette hooks.

New  Bird house necklace the name is inspired by the song by They Might Be Giants, "Birdhouse in your Soul" which strangely I can't get out of my head.... My thoughts this weekend have been around a sense of place. My husband and I had lunch with his parents yesterday. They are Chinese Malaysian born, and have been in Australia since 1975. His parents yesterday started sharing some amazing stories regarding their lives in Malayasia during and after the WW2 Japanese occupation, their own parents and how they managed their lives during these time, how they met, why they left Malaysia during difficult political unrest to go to Singapore, and eventually Australia where they built their own home and created new lives yet again. I have been reminded how important it is to retain these stories that form our heritage, that provide us with a sense of who we are, a sense of home and a place to be. We need to remember to take the ask our elders to share their stories. It was a...

Yesterday I reminded myself that that sometimes I have to stop and make jewellery for me to wear too. Must be the change of season.  These are some sterling rounds that I made in a silver jewellery course last year - they're a bit rough but go well with the leather, some wood, and an eclectic mix of beads by Humblebebeads, Blue Seraphim and Outwest. Spending a lot of time in my own head space doing the post-holiday life direction contemplation, as you do. Been a bit quiet on the blog front, just doing some catch up with the Sasha+Max shops this weekend after a lovely big sale to a Brisbane store, having some quality cat time,  and trying to get some fitness regime happening... hmmm,  must be spring...

We're on a short break, and whilst my brother and sister-in-law Andy and Lone babysit (i.e. spoil completely....!) the giant cats, we are wandering around Lord Howe , a UNESCO World Heritage listed Australian island located off New South Wales. This is our second visit - the weather's been very wet but we've (i.e. Kevin, my husband) taken some good photos as it is such an amazing place. . This fish was swimming so close to the beach shoreline - he is the most amazing emerald and blue colour. Sunshine forecast for tomorrow..more photos I hope.

Some beautiful ceramic pieces arrived in my mail box over the past few weeks, inspiring a little less colour than my usual palette. These white tiles by Dot of Winchell made me squeal when I opened the package. I've combined them with Seraphim's swirled  white glass beads, and Miss Ficklemedia' s rosette copper hooks. Nancy of Round Rabbit sent me this divine misty pink moth which sits very sweetly with some copper chain, frosted glass and Swarovksi crystal. Very girly girl, I must say! Both pieces are now in the Etsy store. Have a lovely weekend my friends!

Been busy beading this weekend-  trying to avoid Australian election overload - we've ended up with no real clear winner as it seems no one really clearly wanted either of the major parties. They were the same old same old....seems to more about media than actually having policies. Not too much to share today word wise, except to say that there seems to be a lot of red and terracotta used in my bead work lately - that and the birds.....  just can't help myself. The lovely art beads below are by Humblebeads, Outwest, Blue Seraphim, Chinook, and MACarroll