QUESTIONS
How long will it take for me to receive my order?
Depends on whether the piece you bought is ready to ship or made to order. Ready to ship pieces are already finished and will be sent out within a few days or as soon as possible. Made to order items are crafted by hand from scratch, naturally taking longer. Generally 3-6 weeks depending on the piece and my business at the time.
I live in Brisbane, can I just pick up my order?
Yes. Select local pickup in the delivery section at checkout. After purchase, you will be contacted via the email used in the order form to arrange a date and time. Please note the pickup location is in Fairfield, 4103. Local pickup is free of charge.
Can I commission you?
Yes. Get into contact with your idea (+ references are great). We can chat and if an agreement is arrived at regarding the project, price, timeframe, + I am currently open for commissions, we will make it happen. Please note a 50% deposit is required before starting work. If I am not open for commissions at the time, I will note our project and get into contact once commissions reopen.
Can pieces be made in gold?
Yes, usually. Due to the high price, pieces are only made in gold upon request. Please contact to arrange.
What’s my ring size?
Any brick and mortar store selling jewellery will typically carry some sort of device to determine your size, this method is recommended for most accuracy. Otherwise, ring sizers may be purchased online for a modest price (around $5). Alternatively, there are a number of DIY methods of determining ring size. However, as these are often the least accurate, be as careful as possible and at least use a few different methods to find the average size. Please note which sizing system your chosen method utlises (i.e. AU, USA etc.). Also, it can be helpful to consider that fingers may swell in warmer, humid weather.
Can I buy MAXX B elsewhere?
Yes. Currently MAXX B is stocked at Practice Studio (South Brisbane, AUS). Practice Studio is a great, young, passion-fueled business supporting local designers. You might like to visit to see some pieces in person that might not be listed here, try them on etc. Occasionally MAXX B participates in pop ups around Australia also.
Who is behind MAXX B?
Currently, MAXX B is comprised entirely by one person – Max Bubb. As a young, emerging designer/artist, currently Max’s time and focus unfortunately cannot be entirely devoted to MAXX B. As such, lead times for pieces can fluctuate. However, the commitment is to providing a prompt, fully supportive, and informative service honestly and ethically.
How are MAXX B pieces made?
MAXX B pieces are crafted entirely by hand from a humble home studio in Meanjin/brisbane. Employing traditional silver smithing techniques combined with the ancient practice of cuttlefish-casting. This technique (the first written records of which date back to a 16th century Italian metallurgy text, the practice likely extending further) uses cuttlefish bones to create moulds for casting metal objects.
Cuttlefish? Casting? Tell me more?
Cuttlefish are incredible creatures! They are a species of cephalopod (Australia is uniquely home to the aptly named giant cuttlefish). All cuttlefish contain cuttlefish ‘bone’: a hard, brittle internal structure which is actually more of an internal shell than a bone. Upon the natural expiration of a cuttlefish life (1-2 years), its buoyant bone floats to the ocean’s surface, in many cases eventually finding shore.
Being made of aragonite, such bones are easily carved and can withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for use in casting. They are carved to form voids into which molten metal is poured. The heat of the molten metal is such that the mould can only withstand a single casting. Each bone also contains a ‘grain’ pattern (grooves throughout the bone the cuttlefish uses to adjust buoyancy) that is unique to the individual cuttlefish. This pattern also imprints onto the metal in its molten state, captured in the casting. Thus, each different casting results in a unique result.
The technique is difficult; The soft, unpredictable makeup of the substrate makes for a small margin of error, and mistakes are more often than not irreversible. However, the challenge of this, the unique results, ancient roots, and the honour of making use of the last vestiges of these wonderful creature’s lives, all make cuttlefish casting truly special.
All cuttlefish bones used for MAXX B pieces have been passively collected from the beach.
CARE
SILVER: Over time silver will naturally oxidise – react with the air to form a dark skin on the metal’s surface. You may choose to view this as a natural part of the piece’s story, or else remove / prevent it with regular maintenance using a polishing cloth. Storing in a cool, dry place will also go a ways to protect your piece from oxidisation. Certain perfumes and cosmetic products may also cause the silver to tarnish.
STONES: Gemstones such as sapphire and ruby, and to a lesser extent spinel and natural zircon etc. have a good toughness and can take a bit of a beating. Others such as quartz, are less hard (determined by the Mohs scale) and require more care when wearing, so as not to scratch the stone (or worse, break). In any case, it always pays to be careful with your jewellery. A little mindfulness will ensure it lasts a lifetime.
REPAIR: In the event of a breakage, or for any other questions or concerns, contact me at maxxb.world@gmail.com
