If you are in our Club group on Facebook (come on over and join!) then you’ll see me mention Audrey quite a bit. Audrey is basically the glue that holds Bamboletta together and is SO amazing that I had to tell you all about her.
When I moved to Vancouver 3 years ago from Cobble Hill I was leaving all my home sewers and production over there as well. I could have started again in Vancouver – it would have made sense to have the sewing mamas close by and start fresh but I just couldn’t do this to all the ladies. They are wonderful women and incredibly skilled! Audrey proved the solution to keep things humming along on the Island and be the bridge between Vancouver and them. Audrey makes sure all the women get their dolls each week, that all the proper materials get to the right people, goes through every. single, doll and makes sure it’s sewn just right, winds all the doll hair and occasionally runs to the fabric store and grabs elastic when it’s needed. This is just a small sampling of her work – Audrey is indispensable to the running of Bamboletta and there couldn’t be a kinder and more capable woman doing it. I am so grateful to her.
So, I had a little conversation with her today, interview style …
me: How long have you been with Bamboletta?
A: 9 years!
Audrey started with us as a sewing mama, sewing up the BEST Sitting Friends we ever did see 😉 She did this while working for BC Ferries as a ticket agent .. sometimes sewing while waiting to usher cars onto the Salt Spring Island ferry. Tired and sick of the corporate job she took the plunge and joined Bamboletta full time. And now look at us <3 Before working at BC Ferries, Audrey owned a diner in Quebec, managed a hotel and did other hospitality type of jobs. I think this experience is why she is so genius at taking care of the ladies!
me: What would fans be surprised to know about your process?
A: I often have no premeditated plan of what I’m doing with the hair when I’m winding it up. Of course we try to take care of as many requests as possible but sometimes the hair comes in from our dyer Andrea that morning and I’m winding it that afternoon so sometime I never know what’s going to happen!e
me: What’s the best part about working for Bamboletta?
A: I love the beautiful community online and with the women who sew for us. I also love the flexibility and variety in what I do. I’m able to work when I want – this is very handy as I have a strawberry farm as well!
me: What is your favourite part of Bamboletta magic?
A: I LOVE when people send us pics of their kids and their dolls. It’s nice to see our work appreciated and loved like it’s supposed to.
me: What do you like to listen to while working?
A: I like podcasts – my favourite being ‘Idea’s’ on CBC and I also like audiobooks. I just finished ‘A Man Called Ove’ that was really great.
me: Why is a cherished relic from childhood?
A: A stuffed yellow St. Bernard named ‘Sleepy’ – I still have him!
me: What is your favourite quote?
A: ‘You don’t need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!’ – John Lennon
We love you, Audrey! She’s a bit quiet online so this is lovely for all you to get to know her a little more <3
Love this sweet little interview with Audrey. It is so nice getting to know the wonderful Bamboletta team in this way. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Sharyl
Love this sweet little interview with Audrey. It is so nice getting to know about the wonderful Bamboletta team in this way. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Sharyl
I was sitting here without the TV on & without reason or rhyme this showed up. Odd bc I’m not really into Twitter, for that matter Facebook is almost rare for me. I saw these dolls & my heart started to beat. Even faster than the sadness in my heart & the pain in my head. I had to read. I do remember her kind face and I loved reading the interview, so much so it made me cry. Good friends, good help, good taste, just good company is hard to find & she’s even a good story teller! Thank you for the smile. It couldn’t have come at a better time in my life.
Hugsxxxx
Lillie