Maria Buonagura

It's a 20+ year career of developing, selling & marketing fashion accessories, beauty products & promotional gifts for many large retailers like JCPenney, TJMaxx, Burlington Stores & Charming Charlie. Being comfortable in the fashion world, I've also worked as a stylist, a buyer, a fashion photographer's assistant at Victoria magazine and in retail. In combination with my successful sales record, I've also created publicity for designers as well as companies. In representing a designer with a new trendy beauty tool, I was able to sell the item to teen specialty stores like Hot Topic, Delia's & Wet Seal. Editorially, I placed the beauty item in publications such as Women's Wear Daily, Entertainment Weekly & Teen People along with a feature on Fox News. With a combination of creative & business skills, I've brought together individuals such as a celebrity manicurist contact with an exciting nail polish line for an event at Henri Bendel, NYC. Currently, I'm freelancing and writing trend articles for The Daily Mini website while also actively looking for new creative projects.

When I'm not working, you'll catch me at a craft show, organizing & arranging my miniatures, cooking ( soups are a specialty), working on an occasional crochet project, scanning Pinterest, reading a good book, listening to a mix of music, traveling when I could, driving where I'm not likely to hit lots of traffic, seeing a good movie, entertaining friends and/or family, watching or re-watching SNL or sailing somewhere warm. A few goals for the New Year are learning to play drums and taking a watercolor class.

Additionally, I've served as a member of The Board of Directors for New York Fashion Cares, on the finish line many times at The NYC Marathon & a long-time volunteer for The Fresh Air Fund. Recently, I started & chair a Meet Up group for Miniaturists like myself.