Fun, Artisan Jewelry and Accessories at Ambler's New Armario

One of the newest business to open in Ambler is Armario, run by friends and locals Vanessa Good and Theresa Galletta. The store carries handmade and artisan-made jewelry, handbags and accessories.

Galletta said that most of the items are made in the US and the rest are fair trade. Many of the artisans she said are women and they all have stories to tell, support their communities, or support organizations that help women.

"Each one of our artisans has a story," said Galletta.

Unlike mass produced items, each item at Armario is unique. A number of their artisan use repurposed items. They carry a line of handbags made from repurposed magazines, and a line of necklaces created using antique buttons.

Armario even carries two lines that are made by local women. Madeline Good, who grew up in Springfield, and is now in New York City, creates the MMG rosary bracelets. Upper Dublin resident Lindsay Nicole Resnick, is the artisan behind the beautiful Hand Knits by Lindsay hand knitted head band ear warmers.

Galletta told Patch that a number of their pieces can also be worn in different ways - a necklace as a bracelet, a belt as a necklace and so forth. She said that women don't get the same flexibility with mass produced pieces.

Galletta told Patch that she and Good have been friends for years and discussed leaving corporate America for something they really enjoyed doing. They wanted to store to be as fun and relaxing as when you go to visit a friend, your mom, your sister, to borrow a piece of jewelry or clothing from them.

Armario's slogan is "Better than your best friend's closet."

Good and Galletta said that Armario is not just about the business end of things, that they truly enjoy being in the store and talking with other women. They want people to come in and have fun and relax.

They also want the space to become a warm and inviting space, and are willing to host special events such as book clubs, parties, and more in the store.

Armario has been in business for three years online, and when the two ladies saw the space at 101 N Main St. was available, they began planning for a real store front. Armario had a soft opening just before Christmas, but the ladies are planning a grand opening celebration in the spring.

The Armario online store is still the place to search for the stories of the Armario artisans, as well as shop from home.

Armario is open Thursday and Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday noon until 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 3 p.m. Both Good and Galletta still work full time and may expand hours, but both hope to make Armario their full time jobs.

Learn more about Armario on their website, where you can also sign up for their newsletter, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.