Hi, I’m Maike van Wijk

passionate about words | stickler for spelling & grammar | wire wrangler | avid reader 

I am a freelance writer and editor passionate about newsletters, eblasts, and brand cohesiveness for local business owners. My superpower is condensing information and catching typos before your audience sees them. I’ve written, edited and proofread online and print media for independently owned businesses, global corporations, artists, and nonprofits. I’m also known to photograph local events with my trusty Panasonic Lumix.

Occasionally I jump in on proposal projects to assist a short-staffed team with meeting the deadline, or provide editorial assistance on an ad-hoc basis to provide a neutral eye.

I also create one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry and home adornments. My Wax and Wire Jewelry has been featured in various art shows around Chicagoland.

Steel wire is hand-bent into organic and abstract shapes, and embellished with waxed paper, beads or other meaningful items. This art is an expression of the joy and gratitude I find in everyday living, with an aim to share that tranquility with others.

During the holiday season Maike’s Marvels’ wax and wire snowman and angel ornaments are quite popular. The ornament collection has expanded to ladybugs, dragonflies, butterflies and other whimsical creatures.

With roots in The Netherlands and Germany, I am trilingual and enjoy incorporating cultural memories and linguistic quirks into my work.

Maike van Wijk

Wordsmith + Creatrix