Dapper Dog

When “Out of Kenya Art,” a collective of artists working in Kenya to support themselves with their handiwork, needed funds to compete in the world market, JMS Ventures of Virginia stepped up to provide the capital and distribution power they needed, and The Kenyan Collection was born.

Much of the Kenyan population lives below the international poverty line, and besides agricultural employment (which not everyone is suited for) the only work available in most areas is in the informal sector — that is, people must work for themselves, and sell or trade things directly to one another.

When Joan Schultz was living in Kenya in 2002, she met Mercy Mahiani.  The two women founded the company as a for profit business — “for the profit of Kenyans” explains Shultz.  The two have been working together ever since, Schultz now stateside in Virginia, and Mahiani in Kenya, to locate high quality African beadwork, help distribute it to customers in wealthier areas, and even provide consult on new designs and materials.  Their efforts have helped the Maasai tribe of Kenya to become a viable player in the world market, relying only on the work of their own hands.

The Kenyan Collection includes products such as equestrian accessories and fishing boxes, but their bread and butter is dog collars.  It seems that dog owners make a very personal investment when they choose a collar for their best friends, and this kind of personal stake in a product goes a long way in creating a meaningful relationship between the customer and the producers of his or her handmade collar.  Every collar is unique and completely artisanal.  Many collars can be completely quickly, but some take up to eight weeks to bead, cast hardware for, and ship to the states.  These works of art are well worth the wait.

This spring, Dog Collar Boutique started carrying two new lines of The Kenyan Collection’s dog collars.  The Meadow Stripe Collar and the Sunshine Collar both evoke images of warm days, flowers and sun, and are as durable as they are beautiful.  Visit the boutique to view all of the unique bead patterns and read more about the quality and details that go into each line.

Celtic Rose Collar

This week we joined dog-collaring and legend-making forces with one of the most artistic and quality-driven dog collar designers we have come across to date.  The bon Christiani line of Celtic- and mythology-inspired collars is now available exclusively through Dog Collar Boutique.

Jennifer Christiano founded the company as bon Christiani to honor her old-world heritage.  She wanted to create something both dogs and people could enjoy, by combining her knowledge of precious gems with her love of dog collaring.  Having spent her graduate school years at the University of Chicago studying ethnic jewelry, founding bon Christiani was the perfect way for Christiano to express herself through gemstones and design.

When we came across the bon Christiani collars online, we were instantly smitten.  We had to have them for the boutique!  The authenticity of the gems used (mostly Celtic period gems), the symbology and significance of the designs, and the quality of the construction, using materials such as handcast bronze and locally sourced garnet, are an amazing combination of passion and attention to detail not commonly found in something as deceptively simple as a dog collar.

You and your dog can enjoy an artisanal collar made from the same materials, by the same processes, that have not changed since the time of Beowulf and his insular ancestors.  Celtic roses, triangular knots, Viking-like shields and even frolicking horses grace the leather of these collars, and even the elegant bronze D-ring has a story.  It was modeled after a belt buckle found on a Celtic bog man!

Have a look at the full line of bon Christiani collars at Dog Collar Boutique, now the exclusive retailer for these exquisite designs.