Happy New Year!

©2009 Tristan Benz, all rights reserved.

Chester & Loosey ™

A school project teaches kids about business.  Each package contains two handmade cat toys

with Organic Catnip.

Now available! A new series of Limited Edition, Reversible Travel Bags, the "Liberty Belle" and "Indy Pendant."  More being added!

Both shapes are gorgeous, practical, expertly hand-crafted and come in many textile combinations.  As always, we are keeping editions sharply limited (so 500 other women will not be wearing YOUR bag :-). 

Another new series of Limited Editions now available are my leather "box purses."

* New *

Ltd. Edition "Liberty Belle"

Reversible Travel Bag

"Santa Fe"

Edition this series: 10

Valentines Day SALE (Feb. 1 - Feb. 14). 

Shhh!  Don't tell - we're doing a giveaway to a lucky Maiden America list member (PLUS - all current customers are in for a surprise, too!).

* NEW *

We have added (and will be adding more pieces soon) a line of Original Abstract Art Jewelry (shown top, right).  Following these, we'll soon be adding hand-crafted lampwork, Glass Bead jewelry.  Both of these lines provide gorgeous and unique, quality gift options. 

If you like our Cosmopolitan Clutch series of clutch handbags, you're in for a special, gift-giving treat.  We're now offering coordinating headbands!  These are fabulously sophisticated hair accessories that can be worn for all occasions, from casual to elegant. 

Also, while I forgot to mention it in the video on the homepage, that little, sheer shrug I was wearing is also, soon, going to be available - it's perfect for outfits where you may not want your arms to show but you still want to be "sleeveless" in effect.  These will be offered in very Limited Editions, as well.

Unbeatable Non-Slip Barrettes

As a mom, all I ever really wanted to do with Maiden America was to produce quality alternatives to what I saw as mass produced and age-inappropriate products being marketed to our very young girls; to be a pro-parent company - to put parental authority back on the radar in this country. 

I most certainly never wanted ours to become a large, impersonal company - just wanted to do some good in the world, as a small one (still small :-).  I most certainly never wanted to become an activist - just do my part to contribute positively, to our children's future (well, that's changed!). 

Now, I feel I have no choice but to stand up, with so many millions of other Americans who feel the laws are being rushed through without taking the time to get them right.  In the case of CPSIA (a.k.a. Holocaust on Small Business), it is a law that preys upon parental fears and safety - so, it was passed quickly.   While the intent sounds lovely - safety - trouble is, the intent of a law means nothing.  The letter, everything. 

I continue to work to encourage more parents to investigate how this law diminishes their authority and fails (as far as I can tell) to make the world/environment any more safe for their children.

A few more stories of hypocrisy?  The very company that inspired this legislation is now being given a "pass" - as is our First Lady's "organic" garden - and, as Rick Woldenberg points out, even garden variety rocks are under regulation (don't let your children pick them up!!).   But...it gets even more bizarre!  If we thought CPSIA was Draconian, hypocritical and confusing to the extreme, you've got to see this one... WOOD is now regulated...WOOD?!  I am NOT kidding you - you may already be a felon and have no idea!

For those who wish to learn more about parental and small business concerns related to CPSIA legislation, may I recommend:

1) Rick Woldenberg's informative posts

2) Amend the CPSIA

3) What is The CPSIA?

4) CPSIA Chronicles.

Maiden America is a values-driven company.  We make careful business choices.  We work locally, hiring moms, military wives and others*, in order to ensure greater quality control.  We do NOT use toxic glues in our production process and we sell our barrettes on paper packaging.

photo courtesy of Astrid Kraus

If a Chinese Crested (HAIRLESS!)

dog can sport one of these babies,

you KNOW they're good!

He's why we call our nonslip hairbow UNBEATABLE.

Limited Edition Gondola

For years, I collected gorgeous, quality textiles.  To my husband's frustration, I did so with absolutely NO IDEA what I wanted to do with them.  Thankfully, the day came that a destiny for my beautiful collection revealed itself. 

After three children, I grew tired of carrying baby bags.  So I created the Briefcase Bag and a few Slim Cases to fit my own, personal style.  I now use the cases to transport belongings from one bag to another, changing styles to suit my mood.

I work in strict Limited Editions.  My goal is to offer women 'hairdresser prices' for unique, high quality handbags that make a much more personal statement than more costly name brands. 

While I'm at it, I better just confess - my goal is not without a selfish component.  As an artist, it allows me to constantly move on to new shapes, textures and combinations - a joy and a pleasure, indeed! :-)

THANK YOU!

As always, we thank all of you who make time to attend our shows; who visit and shop online; who take it upon yourselves to actively spread the word, telling friends and family about our products and values.  All of you are helping us grow and we are incredibly grateful - every drop in the proverbial bucket leaves a valuable splash and impact!

Warmest Regards,

Tristan Benz

Maiden America

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©2007-2009 Maiden America.  All rights reserved.  Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.  All projects described on this website are for private, noncommercial use only.  No rights for commercial use are given or implied.