Maya was created and is run by a wonderfully symbiotic mother and daughter (see our Women Around Town story on Maya and Veni Evangelista) who bounce off one another with more warmth and good humor than most married couples. You’d never know from the unjaded enthusiasm with which they describe the process and pieces, the company has been in business twenty-five years. After a heady period of international wholesale, the work is currently only available online at www.mayaint.com and at artisan shows. I recommend meeting the ladies at a show, if possible. Not only are Maya and Veni a pleasure, but pieces can be preferentially adapted or commissioned.
Maya uses crystals from France, Austria and Czechoslovakia, leather from Italy, and naturals from Asia (pearls, buffalo horn, mother of pearl). Bangkok and Taiwan are for finds, Hong Kong is a source of semi-precious stones, India offers handmade glass, ornamental metallics, bone, horn, and wood. From the U.S. come casted or stamped metals and chains Maya gives an aged look by plating and oxidizing.
Unique handbag of smooth and haircalf leathers with detachable shoulder strap; richly embellished with chunky semi-precious, wood and glass beads and oxidized chain. Detachable strap can be worn separately as a necklace. The Sundance Catalog would love to get its hands on this one. Chic Western. Necklace on left: Bold chunks of semi-precious and antiqued metals (carnelian, citrine and smoky quartz). This comes in several lengths. Heavy and natural, its earthy tones and textures go with everything. Sculptural resin handbag: “Joyous!” (inspired by Maya’s love of dance) with detachable strap of semi-precious stone and crystal which can be worn as a necklace. A delicate showpiece.
Sculptural resin handbag in a translucent tortoise finish, embellished with oxidized metals and semi-precious stones. Shoulder strap can be detached and worn as a necklace or belt. With the appearance of couture, this bag will elicit curious and envious stares at dinner or the opera.
This handbag is an embossed hornback croco print/texture on leather with embellishments of resin, semi-precious and oxidized brass metals. The strap is detachable and can be worn as a necklace. Understated individuality.
Bold necklace with an asymmetric flair! Gold-plated brass metals, semi-precious, glass and crystal. Seemingly bits and pieces out of grandma’s jewelry box, this striking filigree necklace will look just as well on white gauze this summer as black cashmere today.
A contemporary necklace with a Victorian spin…chunky Austrian crystal book-ended in antique gold-plated metal…surrounded by metallic mesh cords. Strands are glass and semi-precious powdery mauves and jet beads. A slightly funky Empress Eugenie.
Intriguing floral brooch of sculptural resin in rich purple tone with crystal, glass and semi-precious embellishments. Use it on a jacket collar, a hat, or a plunging neckline. This one can be dressed up or down. If I were you, I’d find purple tone earrings.
To take advantage of a special 15% discount for Woman Around Town subscribers, go to www.mayaint.com and type in the access code WAT2011.
