A Coffee Break with Armadio Amore

Armadio Amore

www.facebook.com/ArmadioAmore

Based in a small village in Lincolshire, Armadio Amore is run from the home of mum of 2, Jolene.

Jolene designs and creates the most stunning Bears and Bunnies you will ever see.  She is meticulous in her creations, down to the very last detail.  No Bear or Bunny leaves her workroom, until each one makes her smile ......................................

www.armadioamore.co.uk             

Each Keepsake Bear and Bunny, is beautifully hand tailored from your baby's outgrown clothing, which remind you of happy times.  This allows the memories to stay forever and be treasured in the form of an adorably unique jointed bear or bunny, instead of hiding them away in a box.

Let's have a coffee with Jo, and find out more:

Hi Jo, and thank you for taking time out from your busy schedule to chat with us.  So lets's kick off with, how did Armadio Amore begin?

Hi Michelle, well, I have always worked full time in an accounts office and I would still be there had my husband not been offered a position to live and work in Italy. The offer was for him and his family to relocate and so we did! Surrounded by the beautiful Italian countryside I was inspired to get back my love of painting and sewing and creating beautiful things! I loved being home for my family and vowed that once our stay in Italy was over and we moved back to the UK that I would never go back to work full time ever again. So I drafted business plan after business plan until I was finally happy with my business idea. I had everything set up and ready for when we got back home but I had no idea that my business would take off straight away! As soon as I posted a picture on Facebook of my Nieces keepsake bear I was inundated with messages and friend requests and so I published my page!

Talk us through a typical day in the life of Jo.
Oh goodness this may sound incredibly boring!! I get my boys up and ready for school and walk my youngest (age 5) to the local Primary School. When I get back I make myself a coffee and get to work on my orders, whether I am cutting out or sewing or stuffing and jointing. I have a break for lunch and walk my dogs. I carry on with my sewing until its time to collect the little one from school and then I take him to his Martial Arts class. After that I make tea, then we read and do any homework together and we have treats. When it is bedtime for my youngest I help him get ready for bed and I lie with him whilst I read a bedtime story. We’ve just finished Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger which was very funny! Then I wash and tidy up and get back to my sewing until my eyes and fingers tell me its time for bed – see… very boring!

What keeps you inspired every day?
My Facebook followers and customers keep me smiling with their fantastic feedback and comments and I am inspired by everything I see; other people’s fantastic work, sewing magazines, books and facebook is so full of amazing small business pages – just like me – and I just love to see their latest makes.

Where do see your future and Armadio Amore heading?
I have no idea what the future holds, I’m just enjoying each and every day for as long as I can. I can only keep working so long as people keep enjoying what I do and I thank each and every one of them for allowing me to carry on doing what I love for another day J

Do you have an inspirational word of advice for small businesses starting out?
Be individual, be unusual, be yourself. Do not copy anyone else. Work hard – being a success is NOT easy, it’s long hours; a lot of practice, patience and dedication. Don’t waste time on anything you don’t enjoy doing. Handmade should mean quality so use quality supplies.

What is your favourite colour?
Ha! Pink, no - yellow, no - green, no - turquoise!! I love colour! Especially pink ;-)

If you had to choose, which would you pick? Fabric/Buttons/Ribbons
Why is this the toughest question???!!!! Hmmmm I do like buying ribbon…. and fabric….. aaaannd buttons :/

Finally, tell us a joke? 
My 5 year old made this one up;
Q: What does an Elephant have that no-one else has?
A: A baby elephant

Bless him!!

Thank you for coming to get to know me a little bit better

Love

Jo

xx

Thank you so much Jo, that was fun and inspirational, and I loved the joke ;)

To find out more about the beautiful work Jolene does, follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Michelle Corbin Design And this is me, maker of all things to treasure, from Keepsake items, to Soft Furnishings

Thank you for reading

Happy Stitching

Michelle xx