sasha + max studio

I've been a busy beader -  both the Etsy and Madeit stores are filled with lots of lovelies for your holiday gifts. Shop sasha+max at Etsy Madeit

Hi there, why is my post thus named Technologically challenged you might ask? Well I've been trying to work on a mail chimp database to get my act together with a quarterly newsletter. I've added a button the top right hand side of this blog....I'd really love it if you can give it a whirl then we can see if the thing's working!! I also need to get my act together on Instagram... working on it! Here are some new bits of eye candy. The first features a gorgeous bead made by an Australian lampworker, bought at a Sydney bead show  - have hoarded this for 12 months... meet Flower bed necklace.  The second is named Shades of Grey. It features Kazuri beads with some recycled wooden ones from a broken 'Elk" necklace. Nice and chunky.  These Sorrel earrings have the most amazing lemon lime beads, a bit hard to photograph but wow, they are intricate. And these Sierra ones are some nice modern geo fun Have a lovely weekend.

I have been busy trialing and creating a new and very different range.  It is called Sasha +Max Black Label. Why? Typically the Sasha + Max style is weekend casual, whimsical and colourful, but my work day style in an architectural practice is more designer professional, and I wear a lot of structured pieces in black or white. I felt there was a gap for a range to wear to work or on a night out, hence the inception of the Black Label range. It is monochromatic, simple and classic, featuring semi precious stones, silver and pieces that can be layered together. Spike Spike I've closed Etsy, created a new logo which is the outline cat, and opened a store on big cartel, www.sashaandmax.com . that stocks the new range. My Made It store is still active and will carry the casual range. Hope you like it! Waterfall Waterfall Dead Gorgeous Reminiscent Moon

It's a glorious long weekend here - Queens Birthday celebration - a good reason not to become a republic, perhaps? Mint Julep Lots of beading time and bending wire to make ear hooks, which has been a real pleasure after 2 bouts of nasty cold  /flu business in 4 weeks.  Some pieces have been added to the shop, and the others will be listed over the next week or so.   Luna Earrings Baby elephants Luna Turquoise   I have also made myself a new basic short necklace- sits just below the neck above a scoop neck line - I wear heaps of black for work ( I know, architects and designers, we are are such cliches!). It's made of onyx and wood. If you would like to buy one let me know via comments and I can make another. Also made myself a wood and terracotta piece - will have to give this one a trial run and I'm not sure if it is a success - chain may be a bit chunky and wont sit flat.. test drive on today...

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

Sometimes I struggle with taking a good photo of  a new jewellery piece - our apartment has full height windows (good), but with a grey tint which adds a cool colour render (not good) and the wonderful  Sydney light is  too bright to take photos outdoors on the balcony. In reality (or mine at least !)  a new piece may look great, but if it doesn't photograph well, then it's not worth posting in the stores. I have couple of pieces that fall into this category that I will persist with and hopefully post soon. Anywho..!! Lovely sunshine today , a public holiday, 22C - nice light for photo taking, so here are some new pieces with some new backgrounds that made the cut. Beads by Blue Seraphim, and Swarovksi. Valencia Earrings  Tux Earrings

New pieces in very minimal designs - sometimes you just need the simple things in the season of visual overload that is Christmas. Yes I know my style is all over the place, but hey,  that's the fun of it all when you're the shop owner - no rules! Orange Ice Earrings ...Encased beads from Blue Seraphim don't need much more than a touch of sterling silver to finish them off. . Listed in my Etsy store Industry necklace.... Chunky steel chain combined with beautiful teal ceramic connector from Round Rabbit that I have been hoarding for ages,  ebony colored wooden circle, stainless steel wire. Listed in my Etsy store. Hammered jet earrings....  Sculptural sterling silver hooks combined with hammered sterling silver concave circles, and Czech glass free form black  beads. Listed in my Made it store