I’ve had a bit of cabin fever recently. First, there was some snow. To be honest, not a great deal but we live up a hill which is not pleasant to drive down (or up!) once it is icy so I prefer to stay put unless absolutely necessary. Second, I had a dental implant and was not fit to be seen by the outside world. The inside world wasn’t too keen either but they live with me and had to put up with it. Don’t get me wrong, the procedure to have the implant done was no problem – just in case you’re thinking of having it done and don’t want me to scare you – it’s just that my face was swollen up a bit for a few days, I had an impressive bruise, some stitches which showed between my teeth and almost drove me crazy and a gap while I waited for the temporary crown to be made. No pain though. Plus the swelling plumped my face out somewhat and several wrinkles disappeared although, alas, that was only temporary.
So, using the time spent indoors profitably, I opened a new Etsy shop for my dog collars as they were starting to overtake my current shop and making it look a bit too ‘doggy’. Of course, this will not be a profitable shop because I am doing it mainly to help out the Dog Rescue but I can’t tell you what fun I’m having picking out the designs and trying to persuade my sewing machine that it really doesn’t mind stitching through multi layers of webbing and grosgrain.
I know there are lots of people making dog collars out there but I can’t take any more dogs on – I already have three plus four cats – and I’m a bit far from the Rescue Centre to help with walking the dogs on a regular basis so I wanted to do something else to help.
A special request for some Chelsea Football club supporters I know! (I’ve made some West Ham ones too but I’m not allowed to mention that!)
So I’ve set up ‘Ouaf Ouaf’ (or Ouaf for short) which is what French dogs say instead of ‘Woof’ and will gradually put them on there, along with the bandanas I was making before, as and when I can make them, as well as touting them around friends with dogs (and some without!) and local fund raising events.
I’m having fun taking the photos too as you can see although this dog looks rather more like a hippo which I’m sure don’t cock their legs up to wee but you get the idea.
My favourite cartoon dog of all time. I was chuffed when I found Muttley from Wacky Races on a ribbon.
These collars have caused a bit of a commotion in the house as, every time I finish one and brandish it, chrome D ring clinking, as I like to do, the resident dogs think it’s a sign they are about to be taken out on another walk. I’ve found it easier, in most cases, to take photographs of the collars off the dogs’ necks rather than on but a few modelling assignments have been handed out.
SuperStan!
Sometimes, there is just curiosity and my photo shoots attract unwanted attention.
I tried making a sort of double fold bias tape from some Liberty fabric I had in my stash for this one which worked well and might end up being more cost effective than ribbon (especially if I don’t use Liberty tana lawn!!).
No blog post about dog rescue or dog collars is complete without a basket full of puppies of course. Just look at those little faces. Of course, being puppies these little girlies will probably soon find homes but the underlying problem is too many people – and it is a big problem in France – just can’t or won’t sterilize their dogs. Then they let them out to wander around unsupervised and this is the result. You can read their story here but, basically, the mother was rehomed by the Société Protéctrice des Animaux before they introduced a policy to sterilize all female dogs before rehoming and the new owner didn’t bother and this is the second litter of puppies that have had to be rescued from her as a result – the first litter and another three from this one she gave (or sold) to who knows who?
Anyway, I am off to do some vacuuming before Mr. T. gets home from the U.K. and thinks I’ve been doing nothing all week except mess with ribbon and webbing, set up amateur photo shoots and read up about what is good for bruising – arnica cream?? Then I’m going to make a bag – just for a change.
Tialys 
#1 by sew2pro on March 5, 2015 - 16:12
The one on the left. Or the one on the right. Or second from left. Oh, they’re all perfect! It’s just as well they’re out of reach for me.
I hope to find some more customers for your lovely collars soon and I hope you’re back to presentable and enjoying your new tooth (steak?). I have a plan to do some dental implant tourist but now realize that sight-seeing around Budapest with half my face swollen might not be the best laid plan!
#2 by tialys on March 8, 2015 - 19:29
A friend of mine went to Hungary and had LOADS of work done (including 4 implants and 6 crowns) but she had friends in the area she could stay with. It’s not at all bad – honestly – the one I had done was to the left of my front teeth where the bone is thinner, etc. so it might have caused more swelling than back ones would. Also, it was to replace an old crown where the original tooth had fractured in 3 places and getting that out was probably what caused the swelling more than anything else. While I have got the temporary one in, the dentist says I can’t eat apples or sandwiches. I can understand apples but sandwiches?? Of course, in France, sandwiches are made out of a crusty french loaf rather than two slices of Hovis so I suppose I can see what he means.
#3 by sew2pro on March 11, 2015 - 16:25
Yes, I get that. Years ago as a student I broke a back tooth while sneakily eating the end of a baguette on the way back from the shops!
#4 by http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com on March 5, 2015 - 16:43
Gosh, haven’t you been busy? I am impressed.
#5 by tialys on March 8, 2015 - 19:23
My husband less so!
#6 by katechiconi on March 5, 2015 - 21:49
Very, very nice collars, and if we had a dog I’d definitely be in the market! The dental business sounds fairly horrific and once again I’m counting my lucky stars and being grateful for good genes and strong enamel… How much fabric does it take to make a collar using the double fold bias strip? Would some contributions be useful, or do you have more than enough in your own stash (nooooo, not the Liberty!)?
#7 by tialys on March 8, 2015 - 19:22
Not too horrific. I only needed one because I had to have a crown a squillion years ago which is now past it’s sell by date and the root has now fractured (due to a dog snapping its head up against my chin while I was drying her paws!!) so it was a choice betwween a bridge and an implant. I didn’t fancy having the healthy teeth either side messed with for a bridge so I opted for the implant which was expensive in comparison but worth it in the long run I think. Lucky you having good teeth as it is a royal pain when anything goes wrong.
I can make a collar using a fabric strip of 1.75 inches wide x around 26 inches and above long. Obviously, smallish prints are best so if you have anything clogging up your stash, thanks for the offer.
#8 by katechiconi on March 8, 2015 - 23:15
Nothing overtly doggy, but I might still have some of that yellow/red Tana lawn small floral left for the Liberty lovers. I’ll have a rootle through and see what I can find.
#9 by tialys on March 9, 2015 - 07:53
Thanks Kate but don’t go to too much trouble – you have enough on your plate at the moment!
#10 by katechiconi on March 9, 2015 - 09:41
I’ll see what I can find with a quick search, and if I turn anything up, I’ll send it off before we go away.
#11 by Jan Marriott on March 5, 2015 - 23:04
good luck with the shop….don’t forget to let expats know.
I think some doting dog owners would be willing to pay extra for a Liberty lawn collar.
#12 by tialys on March 8, 2015 - 19:16
Let’s hope so! At least, with dog collars, they will never go to waste in this house.
#13 by Nanette on March 5, 2015 - 23:19
I love the pic of your dog and blue ‘hippo’ dog gently checking each out. Your collars look wonderful, I wonder how much postage would be to Oz???……would it be too much trouble to check for me, thankyou. Oh and you could pop in a couple of those sweet puppies too 🙂
#14 by tialys on March 6, 2015 - 00:23
Thanks Nanette. Only 3 USD postage as I will package it flat and send it letter post – but only if I don’t put any of the puppies in ;). Let me know by email if you are interested and I’ll give you have a discount.
#15 by lovelucie1 on March 6, 2015 - 14:19
They are wonderful. If I had a dog would definitely buy one!
My OH has had several implants as a dental tourist in Budapest. He’s had them for years now with no complaint. Beats our British dental service on service and price.
#16 by tialys on March 8, 2015 - 19:15
A friend of mine went to Hungary for hers too but she had 4 done and some ordinary crowns too – plus she had friends who live just on the border and she was able to stay with them. I only need one and it was done about half an hour’s drive away and it wasn’t hideously expensive as the euro is weak against the pound at the moment (Mr. T. still works in the U.K.) and, fingers crossed, all seems fine at the moment.