sasha + max studio

We have just returned from a week in Queenstown, New Zealand. It is on the South Island, Lord of the Rings country. Queenstown  What a beautiful place - everywhere  you look is the most mind blowing view. The view from Coronet Peak ski fields  The worst snow storm in 80 years meant lots of great skiing and very chilly weather. The view from our apartment This was our our second visit and I'm sure there will be more to come. We could quite happily live there - bring on lotto.... oh well, back to reality and work tomorrow.

It's been a good beading weekend, making lots of pieces to restock the shops which had been cleared out somewhat by a fabulous wholesale order to a Queensland store, Urban Dweller.  Amanda of Urban Dweller is always scouting for crafty goodies, so we are very happy to be part of that! Here are some of the weekend newbies. Raining again today after a wonderfully warm week, so please excuse the quality of the lighting for the photos. Pink Chunky Bracelet Green Apple and Wood I also got a lovely package of ceramic components from Nancy of Round Rabbit on Friday, and the earrings all feature her pieces. Fringe earrings Plum Raku Earrings Plum Ribbed Earrings

Hi, I'm back after a long blog hiatus. I've been working,  beading , reading other blogs, but lost my own blog mojo hence the break. I was trawling around my bead stash and found some great pendants made from Japanese fabric in resin. I've had them for years, waiting for a project. Sadly the shop I bought them from does not seem to sell them any more, so these will be very limited edition. Lampwork beads for the red pair by Blue Seraphim,  the green pair are by Australian lampwork artist Angela Gensch of Genschi . Kimono Earrings Obi Earrings

Serendipity Bracelet It's been a luxurious mega 5 day break in Australia for Easter and our ANZAC memorial day. It's back to work tomorrow (unless the $25M lottery comes my way tonight- it could happen..!). As it's has been raining in Sydney pretty well  non stop, there's been a lot of beading and cat time, and family feasts. Here are some of the highlights. Excuse some of the photo quality - it's been so dark here that some major editing was required. Lush Bracelet Max cat relaxing to purrfection Thanks for the comments on my last post - I tweaked the cathedral motif necklace just a wee bit with an extra jump ring so it sits neatly, and I'm now happy with the results. Chartres Necklace

A long silence on the blog front, finally broken to say all the best to you and your families over the Easter period.  Valentina Necklace I've just finished reading Audrey Niffenegger's book, Her Fearful Symmetry, which was a darkly beautiful book about twins, ghosts and souls. I think it has subliminally influenced these pieces. I've had these beautiful Chinook pendants for a while. With the weather in Australia cooling down as winter approaches, both seem appropriate, as they are very dark and moody, with gorgeous architectural details. I wear a lot of black (architects and designers do that, goodness knows why except we don't like to clash with our design schemes maybe?), so I'm not scared of this style, but I know it might be a bit fierce for some. The square pendant necklace  is combined with 2 types of onyx - symmetrical but not. I think this one with the circle pendant needs rework- love the black chain from Miss Ficklemedia, but my composition i...

Fellow Australian  Etsian,  Deb of Georgica Designs , has writtten a little feature on us that you can read by clicking this link to her blog . Deb makes fabulous fabric cards - her shop can be found at  Georgica Designs , Thanks so much Deb!!!

Some new bracelets from the very warm Sasha+Max studio. The first uses some really really chunky beads by Artybecca, paired with onyx. black gunmetal rollo chain and lucite. All Fired Up The second is a favourite colour combination of mine, turquoise, orange and wood. Love that little toggle by Tierracast. Allegra Bracelet