sasha + max studio

Last Sunday I attended a torch fire enameling class at Sydney Jewellery School , the day session  run by the delightful and very knowledgeable May Bartrum. May also covered kiln enameling so it was a full day. These images show my first attempts at torch fire enameling. Not the prettiest! You dip the red hot bead into the powdered enamel - it took a while to get the knack of it as its challenging to get the powder to stick. Some of the best results by the other students (mine were not so great) were totally accidental.It has sparked my interest to read explore further, so I look forward to the arrival of the book I've ordered from Amazon, Painting with Fire by Barbara Lewis, the guru on this technique. Not sure if I'll get to do this again unless I move house - it's very hard to get a flame torch going when you live in a sprinklered apartment, and have the world's fluffiest and most curious cat. I can, however, recommend courses at the Sydney Jewellery Scho...

Balloon I love hot air balloons. I have had this gorgeous balloon bead by Mooginmindy for quite a while.... I had to have it, but I must admit that when I got my hands on it, I was somewhat perplexed with what to do with it besides caress it lovingly!  Decided to make a little basket effect with wire, and work with the punches of colour with Kazuri beads and more muted amazonite.  I have another balloon bead in a lime base shade so will see what comes of that one. If you fancy some of Mindy's beads you need to be quick as they sell fast!

Eclectica  After 12 months of relentless work pace in the commercial architecture and design arena, and feeling like I was going to have a mental and physical meltdown, I've been on holidays for 2 weeks with 2 to go, the first week was in Tasmania visiting Cradle Mountain (a World Heritage listed park) and the indulgent and quirky MONA art gallery in Hobart (loved it, and look forward to going back), the second week at home which means I've had a lot of great beading time, exercise, and cat time. Have also had time to review older ones and rework to get a more cohesive collection happening (see Ecletica above). I hope you like the pieces. Pop  I'm really loving multiple strand necklaces, and Jade Scott's pendants. Daisy Urchin These beads from Mika at Pinocean are so pretty. Urchin I'm now focusing on my Made it store, as Etsy has been super quiet ..lots of looks, no sales for 12 months so I'm reviewing my direction there (am ...

Those who know me well understand my (slight) weather obsession -I always want to and do know the forecast, which is bizarre when I live in a fairly temperate climate, but may be left over from my days living in Canada. Here is Sydney, we have had 2 weeks of sunny days of 24C+ in what is meant to be the cusp of winter - it is the warmest May on record. Coastal Necklace   Whilst that's great for us and for the sunbathing Sasha cat, what does it all mean long term? Whilst not wanting to get all politically charged on you, dear readers, Australia's current Prime Minister Tony Abbott of the skimpy swimwear belongs to the climate change denial camp. It is hard to deny that our climate has changed but this guy decries a lot of other things ( the disadvantaged, the need for higher education at an affordable rate... I worry about my nieces and nephews....). That's enough of my high horse politics, as I know you come for the pretties. Here are some recent ones................

Happy Saturday... Some new pieces listed today on made it Claire Green Earrings Marielle Earrings

Well, I'm embarrassed to say that I have not posted since New year's day and it's 4 weeks away from Easter. The day job had taken over my beading time and my life, but we will see who wins that battle. I'm a grumpy lady when I can't bead - it is such a great form of mental rejuvenation. Anyway, enough of that. Here are some new yummy pieces.  Firstly, a necklace featuring a ceramic lentil by Australian artist Natalie of Peruzi.   Floral Necklace    I have been making a lot of earrings out of hollow glass. Sleepy Hollow Earrings Blue Globe I bought some beads from Rebecca at the Curious Bead shop - must say they are so lovely-- what a sweet shop- Rebecca has a great eye for curating a perfect collection-  here's what I made with some of them- a bit more girly vintage than my usual style but so pretty. Chloe earrings

Happy New year to you and your families. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2014, and thanks for dropping by the Sasha+Max Studio blog over the past 12 months. These are a few photos taken last night - Sydney puts on some amazing fireworks, we are so spoilt with 3 sessions, 9pm. 10.30 and 12am (thanks City of Sydney and their $6M extravaganza spend). We are fortunate to live facing the city so we don't venture out of our place on NYE. A much safer place to be for us oldies!