My name is Maxine Bell and I am the creator and founder of Maxine Designs (bit of a clue with the name!).

For many years I worked supporting and helping others in very real ways, as a nurse, midwife, a teacher and youth worker. I loved many aspects of my work, but I was hiding a secret - one that I didn't think was 'sensible' or 'responsible.' I wanted to create - to use my hands to make beautiful and interesting things. I had been artistic as a child but some negative feedback from family and school broke the little confidence I did have and I buried my dreams to write and do art. 

I became the 'good girl' doing the good work, but squashed my creativity which I now know to be a huge self-betrayal and abandonment. Over the years I felt I was shrinking, becoming quieter and more unhappy. 

It was this unhappiness and a number of life events that started my deep dive into healing my childhood trauma and discovering the Divine Truth teachings that led me to realise that I was allowed to be me; that my soul is hugely creative - it is where I shine and feel at home. As Nelson Mandela said in his inauguration speech, but originally written by Marianne Williamson,

"You are a child of God/ You're playing small does not serve the world." 

I realised I needed to follow that thread. This is the journey I am on - finding and expressing myself and realising that being myself is a good thing, that art has purpose and I can help others as well as myself through it.

One belief I had was that art couldn't be a proper career, that it was selfish and irresponsible. But this is a lie - there are many ways that art and creativity enhances our lives - from the design of an iphone through to things like art therapy. 

This shop is my expression, but I hope will be a gift for you to express yourself through the clothes you wear, with unique, fun designs, some of which have a positive message in things I feel are important to improving our lives - such as love, truth and kindness. 

I also want to make my products to be as eco-friendly and ethical as possible. So for instance, made from natural materials that will decompose when thrown away, through to coming from places where the employees are well paid. This is a work in progress as at the moment which as I learn more I will refine, but my long term goal is to make my products as loving to people and the planet as possible. 

This shop will support my MA Arts Practice (Health and Wellbeing) which starts in September 2025. This means I will be able to create and colloborate on community arts projects which will fulfil my dream to use creativity for social good and positive change. I have already used creativity as a youth worker and for people with learning disabilities but want to do more. It you'd like to donate, there is a donate button on the bottom of the home page. Thank you so much.

Please enjoy browsing through my shop. Thank you for your interest and custom and feel free to email me with any questions you may have.