Melani Daley has the DIY gene.
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When she couldn’t find the right type of collar for her dog Claude, she decided to take matters into her own hands and make her own.
Based in Hobart, Daley started sourcing materials online to create her own custom-made dog collars.
With Claude as her model, she said it didn’t take long for people to stop and take notice of her fashion-forward pooch.
“I would take Claude to our local dog park and everyone would ask me where I got the collar from,” she said.
“A few people asked me to make them some and it just grew from there.
“I never expected it to be this popular.
“But there are a lot of dog owners out there who want something special for their pet.”
After establishing ‘Claude & Co’, Daley said she has been inundated with orders through her website, which offers a range of custom-made collar designs and bandannas.
“It really is just a hobby,” Daley said.
“We don’t make any money from it.
“I just get a real buzz out of seeing dogs wearing my collars - I never thought it would grow to be this big.”
Growing up, Daley said she used to watch her mother sew all of her own clothes, and said she obviously picked up skills along the way.
Now, her own 12-year-old daughter Sian is carrying on the tradition and helping to expand the budding business.
“I have been teaching Sian how to sew and she really enjoys it,” Daley said.
“She has picked up making the dog bandannas.
“I though it would be a really good way for her to learn.
“She loves it and is excited to get her own sewing machine for Christmas.
“It just seems to be something that runs in our family – that DIY gene.
“We will always see things in the shop and say, ‘we could make that ourselves’.”
Claude & Co has only been online for a few months and Daley said they had been inundated with requests.
Each collar is custom-made with a choice of webbing, clips and side colours.
Melani and Sian are even getting into the spirit of the silly season, launching a special Christmas range of designs.
“We know a lot of dog owners like to dress their pets up for Christmas so it seemed like a good fit,” Melani said.
“The response has been really overwhelming.
“I think people also want to give them to their pets as a Christmas present, which is nice.
“We get a lot out of making them for people.
“It is just a special thing my daughter and I can do together.”