sasha + max studio

I am always looking for new ways to create both pattern and where possible with polymer clay, texture.  The bargello technique where you cut a patterned sheet into stripes and reassemble fits the bill nicely, whilst also helping me use up my rather big stash of canes I've made over the past few years, particularly all those stripes. I love the quilt look but with a modern edge. I'm also finding with all these on line meetings that I'm wearing studs a lot so I always try to include some in each collection.  It is a very limited range - it is quite time intensive to produce.   We are about to enter week 15 of lockdown / working at home in Sydney, so my brain doesn't cope with too much fiddly design at the moment, given my day job is also design. These have taken a while to get from studio to the store. I hope you like them as much as I do.   

  Dots pendants range  Have been having a few flat weeks of late, I think it's the day-in-day-out routine without a lot of long term planning or outings, and it kind of zaps the creative mind. .   So I decided to play with some colours that were mood lifting. When it comes to my beading and clay work I'm not much of a detailed planner - I just see where it takes me on the day. I dug out a digital art image that I'd saved to Pinterest a long while ago that had a palette that jumped at me - this was the inspiration for my colour mixes for my 2 slabs. I find slab work very time consuming - I agonise over placement which is a bit silly as its going to be cut up anyway, but that's just how I am.  It was worth it as these pieces make me very happy.   Several of these pieces sold quickly, with a couple of pairs of earrings on their way to the US to a dear repeat customer.  I'm always so excited when my work sells - even after all this time I st...

Wow, what year, hey? Pinch myself as I never say this, but I'm really looking forward to Christmas. I always love getting together with my small family. I have been making 2 "semi-Christmas" style ranges - saying that, they are not overtly Christmas so can be worn year round, as versatility and lots of wearing of what you love is my thing.  This is the first range, rather originally named " Gold+White".. I know, hey, you're asking how did she come up with that name ?!!  There are lots of styles and patterns, all hand printed by me on my own mix of Premo gold and pearl clay, which gives a beautiful subtle shimmer without too much bling. As always, a very limited edition.   I've added to both my stores so you can find a selection at  Sasha+Max   and the made it store   www.madeit.com.au/sashaandmax Next up, the green and white range - maybe I can come up with a more creative title? 

  Hello there  This recent work from the studio is subliminally about mid century modern influences. As an interior architect/designer I get exposed to a lot of design ideas. Last week I attended a great talk by  Modernister  man Tim Ross, a comedian and man who is passionate about ensuring that modern Australian architecture of the past endures. Tim reminded us of the existence of some great small scale significant architecture, many mid century modern, as he took us through his individual films and interviews. Highly recommended.    Likewise, I like to think that one of a kind jewellery is something that is owned for the long term which is why I take time to hand make each individual piece. These new pieces using the Dan Cormier Single Slice Mokume technique are made with a strong mid century modern take, pairing form and colour and retro patterning. There are only 4 pieces in this range so it is certainly exclusive.        T...

It's been a weird and strange time across the world. Australia is in lock down like many countries. Whilst I'm typically home based and in and out of my studio / home office for both my business as a commercial + workplace interior designer and my jewellery work, like many of us I'm now 100% at home - I'm going a bit stir crazy as I am missing my social interactions, but it is so important that we all stay home at this time.  New pendants  The future impacts of the post lockdown world will be interesting - perhaps all this working from home time produces more creative and strategic thinking on how to interact whilst being able to spending more time with loved ones? My cat certainly is very happy with the new regime. For me with a senior parent at her home alone, and loved ones in essential services, I know the worry will continue for a while yet. Sasha taking over the office  At Sasha and Max I am still creating pieces and the online store...

As a new week continues, I've been playing with red and rust tones, and adding very subtle textures. I've named this mini collection 'Red Carnival' as the colours have a retro circus vibe. I've made pendants with some large round pieces that have the multi angled stripes. Pendant Here are the unassembled components: And the earrings Have  good rest of the week !