Inspiration Runs in the Family

nigeledelshain
May 30
3 min read

ENDLESS BEACH DAYS and long bike rides against the backdrop of Brielle and Manasquan provided sisters Maie and Alexandra Vaga the freedom to explore and cultivate their artistic talents. Their creativity was also deeply influenced by their family, who nurtured their passion and provided the support that shaped their artistic journey in a way that is still prevalent in their work today.

EARLY YEARS

Maie and Alexandra grew up in Brielle and attended Saint Catharine School in Spring Lake. For them, these years were filled with absolute freedom to explore Brielle and Manasquan, where they forged lifelong friendships and cultivated a deep sense of community. They spent countless hours by the ocean, indulging in snack stand treats, swimming and unwinding. These were the uncomplicated pleasures of summer.

Maie and Alexandra recall that their hometown “was our playground, strolling through town, always discovering something to do.” Their imagination guided their days, allowing them to nurture their creativity with ease.

The sisters were always immersed in arts and crafts, constantly encouraged by their artistic mother to create with their hands. Instead of traditional toys for occasions, they received art materials. A close family friend also taught them how to paint at a young age, introducing them to color, composition and technique, which made a lasting impression on them. The impact of creating, building and exploring during their early years continues to shape their designs today.

“We spent so much time making, building and exploring, which is what we do now in our businesses. The inspiration from those early years still influences our designs today,” says Maie.

ARTISTS AT WORK

Alexandra Vaga is a ceramic artist, designer and owner of Source and Tradition in Bay Head. She specializes in high-volume, handmade productions. For the past two decades, Alexandra has been dedicated to refining her expertise in ceramics and bridging craftsmanship with functional design. She creates exclusive collections for Michelin-starred restaurants and world-renowned chefs. Each piece is handcrafted in her Bay Head studio, where she welcomes visitors from April through December.

Maie Vaga has owned the popular go-to spot Noon in Spring Lake and Bay Head for the past 16 years. Noon offers some of the best organic coffee, tea and fresh baked goods served every day by friendly baristas. It is also home to thoughtfully designed hand-made jewelry and American-made home goods as well as body products designed by Maie and her business partner Nora Alexander.

What’s even more special? Maie and Alexandra’s stores are side by side in Bay Head.

Despite having had different paths, their foundations are the same. Both sisters have a dedication to craftmanship, obsessive attention to detail and a commitment to making things of lasting beauty. They are constantly inspiring and supporting one another, with both of their businesses rooted in craftsmanship and artistry. Each has a deep-rooted desire to see each other succeed, not only in business, but also in life.

Alexandra praises Maie as a “force in the retail and design world,” and Maie shares that Alexandra consistently shows her “the true meaning of integrity.” They have a foundation of trust and shared values that have been instrumental in shaping their journey together.

A JOINT VENTURE

It’s a natural evolution that the sisters decided to collaborate on something deeply personal. They cherished their grandmother, who had an incredible eye for beauty and craftmanship. Her China, a collection rich in both beauty and nostalgia, holds special meaning to their family. To Maie and Alexandra, the pieces hold stories and are “more than a set of dishes; they are a tangible connection to her, to family meals, to tradition.”

Maie and Alexandra wanted to modernize the heirloom pieces that were passed down to them while keeping their soul intact.

The project seamlessly blends Alexandra’s ceramic craftsmanship with Maie’s graphic design expertise, resulting in a one-of-a-kind creation where their two artistic languages converge beautifully. They have blended hand-painted drawings with delicate porcelain and ceramics that honor old-world elegance while making it feel fresh and relevant for today.

According to the sisters: “This collaboration isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about legacy. It’s about taking something that belonged to our past and making it part of the future. That’s what excites us—knowing that these new pieces will sit on tables, be part of meals and create new memories for years to come.”

Alexandra is selling the full porcelain collection at Source and Tradition in Bay Head, and Maie has a display available at Noon in the Spring Lake shop.