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Crafty Divas and Entrepreneurial Empresses
May 2003's Diva
Amanda Formaro
of Amanda's Attic
Amanda's Attic is a craft paradise. Each piece they carry is lovingly handmade to the highest quality. Whether you visit their store or their on-line showroom, you will definitely enjoy browsing around!!
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The Gallery
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The Interview
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The Basic Lowdown:
Girlposse.com: Who are you?
Amanda Formaro: Amanda Formaro, owner and founder of Amanda's Attic
Girlposse.com: Where are you located?
Amanda Formaro: Richmond, IL
Girlposse.com: What is your creation / business?
Amanda Formaro: I own a brick and mortar storefront that carries only handmade items, mostly
primitive and rustic, but other high quality crafts are included as well. Some of the
items are made by me (I paint), but I also have consigners and I buy wholesale from
other crafty women :-)
Girlposse.com: Where can people buy your stuff?
Amanda Formaro: The address to the store is
5612 Broadway
Richmond, IL 60071
But you can buy many of our items on the web at http://www.amandas-attic.com
Girlposse.com: How long have you been doing this?
Amanda Formaro: I've been crafty for a long time, started painting a couple of years ago, but just
opened the store on March 6th of this year!
 Girlposse.com: Tell us something about yourself - your personality:
Amanda Formaro: I love animals, summertime and autumn, have 4 beautiful children and a loving husband
whom I met when I was in high school. I love to paint, to create my own designs. It's
the best feeling when someone says "You painted that?? Wow!" What a great compliment!
I look forward to this summer when the tourist traffic comes through town. I have
enjoyed all of the new people I have met thus far, and look forward to meeting even
more!
Girlposse.com: What finally inspired you to offer your goods to the world?
Amanda Formaro: Believe it or not, my husband did. One day out of the blue he said "Have you ever
considered opening your own store?" I dismissed the idea at first, but the more I
thought about it the more I agreed that it was a great idea. I had already been
selling my painted creations online, had been managing my online magazine for severla
years (FamilyCorner.com), do the books for my husband's transmission business and was
a Financial Controller before I quit to stay home with my children in 1998. I think I
was qualified enough to handle my own store! ;-)
Girlposse.com: You're store includes wares from other crafters. What inspired you to
include others?
Amanda Formaro: Well, as much as I would like to be able to do it all, I can't. I wanted to carry
dolls, candles, potpourri, stitcheries, cards, and plenty of other items, all of
which I don't make myself. So I needed to tap into the talents of others to
accomplish my inventory goal.
 Girlposse.com: Are there unique benefits or disadvantages to having other crafter's items for sale?
Amanda Formaro: Obviously the disadvantage is that the profit margin is not as large as it could have
been if I had made the items myself. However, the benefits are wonderful because of
the diversity in crafting styles. I can offer a wide variety of styles and tastes,
which of course spills over into the public that comes through the store. While Jane
Smith may like the rag quilt, Jill Johnson may like the hand sewn primitive
raggedies. I pride myself on choosing high quality items that you would find at
juried craft shows, not the crafts you find at the church and school craft bizzaars
that are popping up all over the country.
Girlposse.com: What was (is) your biggest obstacle in selling what you create?
Amanda Formaro: At this point and time, since I am fairly new in town, I would have to say that the
difficulty lies in my type of store. I am surrounded by antique stores. So the people
that come here for the antiques may or may not be interested in what I carry. As the
word is beginning to get out about me though, I have noticed an increase in sales and
repeat visitors. I am a fresh face in Richmond :-)
Girlposse.com: How do you come up with your ideas?
Amanda Formaro: Hmmmm. Well, I am of course inspired by other crafters. But many of my own designs
just pop into my head. I paint rather "willy nilly", so I never know what I am going
to create ;-)
Girlposse.com: What keeps you going on a bad day?
Amanda Formaro: My online friends. I love them dearly. When I have a problem, they are always there
for me!
Girlposse.com: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Amanda Formaro: I'm a big time browser. I don't really have any favorites. I just like to visit new
stores and explore.
Girlposse.com: What was the best piece of advice you've been given?
Amanda Formaro: "Stick to your guns." Someone told me they admired the fact that I held a high
standard for the product that I carry. I plan to stick with that and never let the
quality slide downward.
Girlposse.com: What advice would you give to a future Crafty Diva?
Amanda Formaro:
Be persisitent. Keep trying. Price accordingly! Never give away your work. If you
price things too low, people will think it's junk.
Girlposse.com: Any additional thoughts or comments you'd like to share with the world?
Amanda Formaro: I would just like to say thank you to my family and friends for all of their support
during the building of this venture :)
Girlposse.com: Are they any other Crafty Divas or Entrepreneurial Empresses we should know
about?
Amanda Formaro:
Cindy Trombley - http://www.paintingonjars.com
Toni Hardy - http://www.foolhardyfolkart.com/
Missy Strong - http://www.countrypassion.com/
~May 2003
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Are you a Crafty Diva and Entrepreneurial Empress? Or do you know one that should be featured in a future Girlposse.com issue? If so, e-mail Trixie with the details.
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