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

 

 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I thought about doing that with a leash Dori - will have to play with the idea when I have some time. 

I could also hook the leash onto the collar and have the handle resting off near the "K".  Will try both ways - with the black background and pink writing.

Exciting that it's starting come together for you! :)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

First of all Happy Belated Birthday:(

I really like the black with white and pink letters and I WOULD put the website on them for return customers!

We would love to order from you, I totally forgot about the websites you were looking for help naming!

Rua is going to be famous!!!!! Dori too!!!!! So happy you are moving forwars with this-we wish you all the luck in the world!

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

Happy belated Birthday from Harley and I!

[Dori & Rua]

First of all, I can not tell you all how much I appreciate all of the kind words, the comments, the help, the support, the ideas and the willingness to purchase what I will make!

 

I am having a blast right now!  I think I like a combination of a couple of the logos...several from J and from Camila (she PM'd them to me) with a bit of tweeking...so, it is giving me some things to think about!

 

I have started making purchases of webbing and hardware.  After much difficulty, I finally found a few wholesale suppliers of jacquard ribbon that I will use for a bit more upscale collar/leash line, and other ribbon for a regular line.  I have to take my time on the ribbon purchase...that is the expensive part!

 

I am looking at setting up the LLC, trademarks/names, EIN #, obtaining Liability insurance, opening a checking account, business credit card, etc.  I need to come up with a my LLC name.

 

A number of people mentioned reflective dog collars and leashes.  So, I did a bit of investigating, and I can get Reflective tape...in a number of colors...would be on black webbing.  But, I need to order 40 YARDS...to reach the minimum (that would be 4 colors), or I can get 50 Yards of just one color.  So, if I were just to pick one color to get the best pricing, what color would you buy? 

BLACK

GREY

NEON GREEN

NEON LIME

NEON ORANGE

WHITE

 

Based on pricing I see out there, I am thinking I would sell combined 1" collar & 6' leash for $28.00 plus $4.95 s&h.  DK members would get free shipping.   Would you purchase at that price?  If not, what?

 

Thanks again for your input!

 

[Carol and Banjo]

In a heart beat!   Can't wait Dori!!!   Neon Green would be my pick.

[BG and Gavin]

Ditto.

[Camilla and Darwin]

me too, or the grey.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I love the green and the orange!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My old lab mix had the orange and it was great.  If I had a choice, I would choose the lime or the grey or even the orange again.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Yes a fair price!!

If it were just one I'd say green if it were two I'd say green and grey

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

The valentine leashes/collars arrived today.  Just to give you an idea - here is a close of the hardware and label from one collar.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

The one thing that I love about their leashes - notice how the handle part is size adjustable AND has a snap attachment so if you are ever dining outside say and want to clip the leash handle around a table or railing.  Super handy!!!