Collars & Leashes & Clothes, Oh My!

[Dori & Rua]

As many of you know, last summer I talked about making collars & leashes, agility items, clothing & blogging.  I bought several domains (after input from all of you).

My blog is www.lifewithrua.com.  I have tried to post a couple of times per month.  It is a way for me to exercise my right brain, and because there are only 8,000 plus DK members, I figured I wasn't reaching enough people to brag share about my Life with Rua.  LOL

I also bought a domain that I intend to sell collars, leashes & agility equipment on.  It is www.KangaRua.com.  It is a work in process.  I will start with collars & leashes since they are the easiest to ship, and go from there.  I have a ways to go, but I am making progress.  I had sewing machine issues and bought the wrong size plastic slides.

 

Had to set up "shop"...when I buy my next house, I will turn one of the bedrooms into a real sewing room...right now, with my house for sale, I am limited.

 

New Janome Serger & Janome Professional Sewing Machine.

 

The below is a matching leash & collar set...Spring Stripes!

 

Above is a collar (will be making a leash, too)...Pink Horses!

 

At the same time, I also bought the domain www.BellaRua.com because I just loved the name, but I didn't know what I was going to do with it.  But, after making Rua several cheerleading outfits (also make some for Ellen's two girls http://www.doodlekisses.com/profile/EllenSutton), Rua's Halloween Costume (Mimi Linna has put in an order for one for Lilly), and a number of other items, I have decided that BellaRua will be for clothes.  

 

Gotta have fleece wear..

 

And who girl wouldn't want a wool pink & black plaid coat.

 

So, here is where I need some advice and I couldn't think of a better place to go than here!

I want to "brand" what I sell, so I thought woven labels would be the way to go. I really love the look of this site and the logo...http://www.lolaandfoxy.com/.  I wish I could come up with a cute little logo, but that would hugely increase the price, and after how much work it was to come up with DK logo, I am not sure I want to go there.

I found a place that will do simple ones for a reasonable price for small quanity.  I like the cream background with pink (of course) text - 1/2" labels so they fit on a collar. 

http://www.everestlabel.com/product/half_personalized_labels.php 

 

1. So, do you think it should be just larger font size "KangaRua" or two lines that include website (I would order the same style for BellaRua)?
2. If you were in the market to buy a collar, would the pink text deter you from buying a collar for your male dog?
3. If yes, would a simple white or cream background with grey or black text be better? 
4. Or, black background with Pink & white (I do like this actually better than the cream label - but perhaps this should just be for BellaRua - black & pink have always been my favorites for Rua).
5. Is it better to have a logo from the very start (I would have to have someone create it) and brand that way or start out with just the plain labels and change later)?
6. Anybody have an idea for a logo? When we had the DK contest, Camila made this logo of Darwin which I liked (I bought a decal & several mugs)  http://www.cafepress.com/+sticker_oval,551576209.  Perhaps a logo like this...an outline of Rua?
7. What should I charge for a 1" collar?
8. What should I charge for a 5' Leash?

 

I appreciate your input!  Thanks so much.

 

Dori & Rua

 

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I don't dress my guys either, but I do like to change up their collars....I would definitely buy collars and bandannas!  Good luck.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Looking forward to these collars.  I suggest one website with your blog on it.  The blog can be accessed alone and will drive traffic to the shop and vice versa.  Have a place for photo's of happy customers and run competitions.  Also have a FB page and use that too.  The photographs are key and the ones above are very clear.  Use paypal for taking payments so you can take International orders !!!  GoodLuck

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have sent you a message on your wall regarding patterns for my Grandma to knit Cooper a sweater for under her rain jacket as her fleece lined coat is too small. Looks like you have LOADS of orders already here, but in the future Id buy Cooper a new fleece lined waterproof coat, and of course collars and leashes. Collars for my 3 cats too :) Hee hee and maybe some leg warmers too

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Kaytlin, the leg warmers are hilarious!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I think definitely a clear and unique logo and a single website. 

I will mull over the idea of logos - I do a little graphic design as a hobby and will come up with a few ideas if I have time!  I was thinking since it's "KangaRua", maybe a bouncing Rua in silhouette? 

Sort of along these lines, but more streamlined and of course a Rua instead of a ball:

I don't think that pink should deter male customers, but if you're concerned you could go for a deep red instead.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

So I just realized the bouncy thing is a bit like PetsMart... scratch that!

I took a first pass at starting a logo.  I took one of your pics of Rua jumping and stylized it to reduce the detail then added a shadow to show her clearing the ground. I haven't taken a stab at "cartoonizing" her picture to make it look more like the Lola and Foxy one, but I'm not entirely sure if I have the artistic skill to do it!

Here's a "banner" version with some text (I don't have the same font as you had in your sample, but it's sort of close, called Bell MT).  I made a couple different colour schemes.

No background:

Original colour scheme:

Reversed colour scheme:

Orange text (in different font - Berlin Sans FB Demi):

Some stuff to get you going anyway :) 

I wanted to try doing something "cool" with the lettering, but haven't come up with any ideas!

[BG and Gavin]

Great job J!  What a talent you are!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I love all of these. Nice work!!!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Thanks :D  I like designing graphics, very little actual drawing skill though so I have to have a good starting image and Rua jumping over her little jumps seems perfect!

Here's another idea - Rua actually jumping over the "KangaRua" sign:

Another thing I just thought of is there could be a leash or collar "hanging" from one or two of the letters to show what the product is.   I think the "u" would work best, since it could look like someone had just hanged their collar there like a hook.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This is my favorite! Yes, I like that idea about the collar or leash hanging from a letter(s). You are good :) The only thing I would say is Rua is a bit redder than the dog in the logo, so maybe the red would not work as the background, if you made her redder. Really good job!!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Something like this:  (psst...Can you tell I'm a little bored tonight at my computer? ;)   haha.)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I wish Dori would check in....as far as I am concerned, I love this one!!