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Maxine Padalino of Tinkerbell & Fairydust Named Influential Woman in Business 2026 for Homeware Design

Based in London and Hertfordshire, Tinkerbell & Fairydust specialises in handmade resin homeware and décor, including sculpture bowls, placemats and coasters, wall art, personalised 3D photo artwork, resin-topped recycled furniture and bespoke creations. Each piece is made freehand by Maxine, meaning no two creations are ever exactly alike.

The business was born from an unexpected introduction to resin. Maxine initially asked her cousin to create some resin coasters for her. When her cousin later stopped working with the material, Maxine found herself wondering how difficult it could really be to make them herself.

It marked the beginning of a completely different professional chapter. Having previously worked as a PA, Legal Executive and office manager, Maxine had stepped back from office life and wanted the opportunity to spend more time at home with her teenage boys.

She initially turned to drawing, finding the creative process wonderfully therapeutic, before beginning to experiment with resin.

What started as a creative escape gradually developed into Tinkerbell & Fairydust and ultimately a growing small business centred around originality and artistic freedom.

For Maxine, the key ingredients behind that progression have been curiosity, resilience and a genuine love of creating. Much of her knowledge has developed organically through experimentation, trial and error and a willingness to continue learning. Rather than being discouraged when an idea does not immediately work as intended, she has allowed those experiences to shape both her artistic practice and the way she runs the business.

 

That resilience has been particularly important when navigating the commercial realities of operating an independent handmade brand. Many of Tinkerbell & Fairydust’s early Etsy sales came from customers in America, but rising international shipping costs eventually created significant challenges, at times adding almost 50% to the overall price.

Material costs, platform fees, gallery commissions, postage and promotional expenses have also presented challenges, sometimes significantly reducing the margins available to an independent maker.

There have consequently been moments when Maxine questioned whether continuing was commercially viable. What ultimately encouraged her to persevere was the response from people who genuinely connected with her work and her belief that there remains an audience looking for something individual.

“What changed my mind was the encouragement from people who loved my work, and the belief that the right audience is out there.”

That individuality sits at the heart of Tinkerbell & Fairydust. Rather than producing identical, mass-manufactured home accessories, Maxine works with the unpredictable qualities of resin to create pieces with their own character. Colour, texture and design are explored throughout the creative process, with the material itself often introducing an unexpected element even when a particular design has been carefully planned.

The result is a collection intended not simply to decorate a room, but to bring personality into a space, spark conversation and offer customers something they will not find replicated elsewhere.

Among the brand’s distinctive creations are its Sculpture Bowls, each carrying a unique Tinkerbell & Fairydust mark to confirm its originality. Their versatility means they can be used in numerous ways, from fruit bowls, candle and plant holders to jewellery displays, bathroom storage, table centrepieces, wine bottle holders, decorative ornaments and statement artwork for an entrance hall.

Customers can also commission complementary home accessories, including matching placemats and coasters, while the bespoke service allows Maxine to develop pieces around individual requirements. Tinkerbell & Fairydust additionally offers a limited feature wall paint service using Maxine’s own personally mixed method, further extending her creativity beyond individual decorative objects.

One of the aspects Maxine values most is knowing that something created entirely by hand has formed an emotional connection with its new owner.

“I am most proud of the joy my pieces have given people. It is a wonderful feeling to know that something I made by hand has found a place in someone’s home or heart.”

That connection is also what she loves most about her work. No two pieces are exactly the same, and resin retains an element of surprise regardless of the original plan. The freedom to experiment with colour, texture and design continues to make the creative process rewarding, but the most special moment comes when somebody encounters a finished piece and feels that it genuinely speaks to them.

The growing recognition of her work has made the journey even more significant. The Influential Woman in Business 2026 Award represents Maxine’s fifth award in just two and a half years, an accomplishment she describes as particularly special alongside the personal satisfaction of seeing her creations appreciated by others.

Her experience has also given her a realistic perspective on what aspiring female creatives should consider when turning their talent into a business. Maxine encourages other women to understand their market without allowing personal taste or rejection to undermine their confidence. Handmade work is inherently individual and will not appeal to everybody, but that individuality is also part of its value.

At the same time, she stresses the importance of understanding the financial side of a creative enterprise. Costs, commissions, postage and promotion all need to be carefully considered because while passion is essential, sustainable profit margins matter too.

Looking ahead, Maxine hopes to place greater focus on her 3D photo frames, which combine a pop art-style theme with handmade decorative details reflecting an individual’s personality, memories or favourite things. The personalised nature of the work offers another avenue through which Tinkerbell & Fairydust can transform meaningful stories and memories into unique pieces of art.

Creativity is also extending into Maxine’s personal surroundings. With a new house currently being built, the project has already inspired further ideas and possibilities for her work, including the potential development of freestanding large sculptures.

The recognition from Innervision Media celebrates not only the individuality of Tinkerbell & Fairydust’s handmade homeware, but the resilience, artistic instinct and personal approach behind every creation. For Maxine, the journey continues to be driven by the same principle that started it: the joy of making something distinctive and finding the person for whom that piece feels entirely their own.

About Tinkerbell & Fairydust

Tinkerbell & Fairydust, founded by owner and artist Maxine Padalino, is a London/Hertfordshire-based creative business specialising in unique handmade resin homeware and décor. From sculpture bowls and personalised 3D artwork to resin furniture and bespoke commissions, every piece is individually crafted to bring colour, personality and originality into the home.

Contact

Phone: 07961 197 666

Email: support@tinkerbellandfairydust.co.uk

Website: tinkerbellandfairydust.co.uk