sasha + max studio

I'm not sure why I make so many bracelets- they are not that popular with Sasha +Max customers, but I can't help myself - I love making them! Here are 3 versions using wood, filigree beads from Gardanne, and a variety of closures. The red one uses some beautiful bright lampwork beads from my new discovery, Australian artist Marji Darling of  Marjoram Hot Glass . I have given them Australian names in honour of today which is ANZAC day, the day when we remember those who lost their lives at war. Snowgum Red Centre Rainforest

Back at the beading studio this weekend.  Here are some new pieces using Round Rabbit pendants, and my first use of silk fibre. Relic Sahara I've struggled to get back to the bead table as I am now missing my creative partner, maine coon cat Max, who loved to hang out with me and check out the beads. Max lost his battle with kidney sickness at the young age of 4 years and we had to let him go - we are all devastated. Sasha, his sister, is puzzled and is looking for him all the time, and our home is very quiet without the gentle giant. We were very privileged to have him in our lives. Thank you for your kind messages over the past couple of weeks - it has meant a great deal to us.

Sweet Maxy, one of our main coon twin cats (furr kids) after whom this blog and the jewellery shops are named has been very ill over the last few days. We are on an emotional rollercoaster, he is only a baby at 4 years, and has just pulled through major kidney surgery this afternoon. We are hoping and praying that he survives the ordeal.  If you can say a prayer or send some healing karma our way for Max that would be wonderful. Thanks, Vicki and Sasha (and Kevin, my darling husband)

Bronze Age necklace Bronze Age necklace A package arrived with lots of Elaine Ray's ceramic beads. I really love the rustic and unique style of her work - you can see that hand made nature, yet she adds very slick finishes in gloss, metallic effect and punchy colour glazes. Linked Necklace

Secret Garden Bracelet fern earrings Freckles pink earrings As winter soon draws to a close in the Northern hemisphere, summer in Australia ends February 29. It's been a very wet summer in Sydney - more humid rainy /overcast days than sun. We Sydneysiders hate wet weather - there's been lots of grumbling. So I made some pieces that reflect nature -  the carpet of green and the flowers that describes Sydney after all this rain, and as a preview for the long anticipated spring for our northern friends. These pieces will be added to Sasha + Max stores over the next few days. Mist earrings

Empress Necklace The crescent shaped feature piece by Elaine Ray was rediscovered in my beading stash. It is a beautiful piece that I bought a long time ago - I have a bad habit of ordering bits and pieces with some fantastic beading project in mind, only to forget what I needed it for by the time it makes its way from the US to Australia which usually  2 -3 weeks. Sketching and notes would be a good idea! The result is that this necklace is rather bold - she will need a creative and strong willed woman to own her, hence the name, Empress. I want to say many thanks to Zara, a new customer from the Blue Mountains who has bought 8 of Sasha+Max Studio's Japanese necklaces this week to sell in her new gift store. Here are some other recent pieces, all part of the continual Japanese collection. Aieko features a Chinook pendant, and Maya is a longer style to balance the size of Round Rabbit's pendant, with a lacing detail. Maya Aieko ...

Tash Necklace, with beads by Vero of Narrative All the best to you and your families for 2012. After a week or so of a holiday break, its back to the day job tomorrow . I' ll miss those afternoon "Nanna" naps, morning gym sessions (here's hoping I keep those going), bead table creative moments, and quality cat conversations with Sasha the Maine Coon who loves a good chat. These are some new pieces that have or will be listed into the Sasha+ Max stores over the next week or so . Freckles Earrings. with more of Vero's beads Sunshine Bracelet Sunshine Bracelet Drift Necklace