Meet The Mother Maker // Alex from ByAlex Playmats

May 9, 2017 Christabel

By Christabel

May 9, 2017 In Meet The Mother Maker

Like many of our ‘mother makers’, Alex runs a successful interior furnishings and accessories brand from home, producing cushions and playmats in an array of colours and fabrics. Last week we were lucky enough to catch up with Alexandra Noorman who lives in Rotterdam with her husband Pieter and 3 children, Faas 6, Simon 3 and Hella 1.

It was when Alex was faced with the decision of going back to work, that she felt she needed to be at home with her children, yet craved a project of her own. After spending time with her children at home, she soon became restless and the idea of sewing playmats was born.

With a fun selection of fabrics, impeccable colour combinations, these playmats have become an online sensation, and we expect to see these on many more children’s interior blogs, pinned all over pinterest and posted regularly on your instagram feed. They are perfect for creating that perfect little reading nook or play area in the corner of your living room.

We are offering 15% off on her store by using code TMM2017. Head on over to check out her awesome collection of playmats, cushions and sweet interior accessories. www.byalex.shop

We speak to her about superhero powers, running a business from home and her top tips for families travelling to Rotterdam. Read more below…

How do you balance your role as a mother and your role as an entrepreneur?

“When I had my full time job, I wanted to be home with the kids. When I quit my job as a policy advisor at the government, I soon got restless and wanted to work again. For me there is no perfect balance, because I always felt one part of me was lacking. What I do is try to‘focus’ on whatever I am doing at that moment whether I am with the kids,or working on By Alex Playmats. I think keeping a clear division between the two is important, and separating your time. I know, this sounds quite organised and well-balanced. Most days I stick to it and it works… but there are those days when we mess it all up.”

Many mothers struggle with that next step in their career when they decide to have a child. Was sewing and creating always something that you wanted to do ?

“Ever since I was a child I loved to create with fabrics. My mom used to sew at our kitchen table and I loved hand sewing and cutting the fabric. As a teenager I started to sew my own clothes. Somewhere along the line I followed another dream and went to university and got a job at the ministry of Culture. With our third baby coming up I decided I no longer wanted to work away from home. We all needed a more peaceful life. I quit my job to stay at home with the kids. But I soon got restless and wanted to work again. That’s when the whole play mat adventure started. I’m positive I’ve made a good choice in order to balance my life and spend more time with my kids, my husband and close friends.”

“I think keeping a clear division between the two is important, and separating your time. I know, this sounds quite organised and well-balanced. Most days I stick to it and it works… but there are those days when we mess it all up.”

Head on over to www.byalex.shop and browse their amazing range of cushions and playmats to make the perfect reading nook for your kids.

What has been your favourite part of being a mother? “My favourite part of being a mother is to teach my kids to explore their own character, to love who they are and to not change it for their environment. Every person has his or her shortcomings, but when you focus on your best characteristics you’re always going to be a happier person for yourself and the people around you. Furthermore, I hope my kids will follow their dreams and use their skills. It took way too long for me to use mine as a profession. I only quit my job last year to do what I love best, which is creating things with fabrics. My kids see my love and devotion in creating the most beautiful play mats. Although, I’m quit busy with building a brand and improving my play mats, I hope they see I am enjoying every minute of what I do”

” I hope they see I am enjoying every minute of what I do..”

Any advice for any other mothers looking to go into business on their own? “Just follow your own feeling and guts… Of course its important to listen to advice, but make your own choices.”

What can we expect to see from ByAlex Playmats in the future? Any collaborations on the horizon? “Yep, there is a really nice collaboration going on with an illustrator. I’m so happy about how this works and you will see the result soon. Right now I’m also choosing new fabrics for the new collection of play mats. These will be launched in August.”

A Perfect Workspace.

Keep your eyes peeled for Alex’s new collections by following her on Instagram and liking her Facebook page.

Instagram @byalex_playmats // Facebook @byalexplaymats

Cats, Beach and Green.

If you were a new colour in a crayon box, what colour would you be and why? “Green. I love our garden in spring when it turns slowly from fresh bright green in April to deep dark green in June. For me ‘green’ is the colour of steady growth.”

Working mums are known for their supermum abilities to multitask. What’s your magic mother superpower? “Being a cook with nothing in the fridge. I even surprise myself by making a proper dinner with the previous nights veggies from the fridge and some stuff from the cupboard.”

Name 3 interesting facts about yourself.

1. I used to dream of becoming a ballerina and I still love to dance.

2. I am grumpy all day without a cup of tea in the morning.

3. I have a crush for vintage dresses.

Cats or dogs?

Cats

Dream holiday destination. Beach or Mountains?

Beach