sasha + max studio

How has your weekend been - did you watch the Olympic opening ceremony? I loved the Queen with James Bond, probably the best part of the show for me! It was our 5th wedding anniversary yesterday, so on a crisp sunny winter's day we went for a long lunch down by the beach at Balmoral at the Public Dining Room (strange name but great food), a wonderful restaurant with  a casual fitout  of oak flooring and original Eames chairs. Here are a few new beaded pieces. The first is a partner to the Snowgum bracelet, and has beads by all the fabulous ladies, such as Gardanne, Bo Hulley, Elaine Ray, Shannon Levart and Pip's Beads. Snow Gum Owls I must say those owl beads by Pips Beads are sooo sweet. They did not need much but a splash of colour and some wire.   Red The bracelet continues my obsession with Elaine Ray's ceramics. Sasha says "Have a great week!"

Hi there, sorry it has been so long between posts. I've been making only small amounts of jewellery of late, and have been trialling my new light tent to take photos, with mixed results - it can get very dark at our place during winter so I finally gave in. The egg bead featured below is by the lovely Vero of Narrative - what a talented artist she is. Egg Pendant On a personal note, the loss of Main Coon Max cat three months ago left me with not a lot to say for a while blog wise- he might have "only been a cat" as non pet people say, but to my husband Kevin and I, he was a vital part of our lives, and we were not prepared to say goodbye after 4 short years. Sasha, Max's sister, still looks for him every day which is somewhat heart breaking. This all has resulted in a fairly low key frame of mind as we move through our grieving time - time heals, as they say, and we are slowly mending  thanks to the love of friends, family and the sweet nature of Sasha.

Hi all, it's been a while -  I hope you are all well. Thought I'd share some creative love. The Vivid festival in Sydney is a celebration of light and all things creative. The city gets new colour as wonderful light shows are projected on to some of our most prominent buildings, and there are all sorts of talks regarding the creative process held at the Museum of Contemporary Art.  These photos are just a minor sample of what is there. (excuse some of the photos quality - it was so crowded this weekend - it felt like new years eve in the city last night!) The Animated light show at Customs House was amazing Customs House by day A giant Swarovksi Chandelier over the harbour

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