What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I am proudly owned by two lively Scottish terriers, Brodie and Caolin. When they were younger I tried to dress them in clothes, but they were unhappy with anything that I picked. So instead, I purchased collar upon collar to compensate for their unwillingness to comply with clothes. As the collars kept piling up and the money kept going to the collars, I realized that I might as well make my own. After making B&C their own and sharing my designs with my family and friends, I decided to start to sell them to others. I really enjoy sewing and find it very therapeutic, especially after a long day of work.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I wanted my collars to be durable and flexible but at the same type stylish and AFFORDABLE! A lot of collars that I purchased for my dogs were stiff and scratchy, I wanted the opposite. I researched ribbon, thread, and nylon until I found materials that I was happy with.
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
The fact that I get to do something for me. This is my way to escape my "normal" life and to do something that I like to do. I work a full time job and also a part time job, so to also be able to make collars in the little time I have free really brings me joy. I also enjoy the fact that dogs benefit from my product. When they are wearing one of my collars and get complimented by someone, my dogs know they look good and become more confident in themselves (sounds corny but it is so true).
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
Carrots-- only because I have no idea and I know that this veggie is both of my dogs favorite snack!
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Next I want to tackle dog beds.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
The message I most want to convey is that dogs need to be stylish too and to do this you don't have to buy them clothes. People may not realize this, but dogs know when they look good and when people are talking about them. My goal is to make the dogs feel good by providing their humans the opportunity to buy them gorgeous collars at half the price you would pay at an upscale pet boutique. These are the collars that all dogs are barking about in the dog parks!
Promote your shop as much as possible. I am a rather shy person, but realized that in order to run a shop effectively I have to get myself out there. I have started a blog, wrote to everyone I possibly knew to tell them about my shop, and EVEN started twittering! I am definitely out of my comfort zone, but am slowly getting over it.
Thanks, Sarah, for a delightful feature! Be sure to visit SCAMPERING SCOTTIES, and see all the colorful collars that your favorite pet could be wearing. Doesn't your little guy/gal deserve to sport a designer collar?
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