2013 Close Buy Catalog - New England's Finest

The 2013 Close Buy Catalog is in the works and I am so incredibly honored that Lofted Designs has been included again! In case you aren't familiar with this awesome organization, Close Buy is a fundraising catalog available to schools and non-profits throughout New England that features handmade goods MADE in New England...genius, right?

Their next sale starts September 1, 2013, so if you are affiliated with a school or non-profit in New England and looking for a unique fundraising idea, look no further. Schools and non-profits interested in using the Close Buy Catalog this fall can sign up until July 22 by emailing hello@closebuycatalog.com.

Two popular Lofted Designs pet tags will be featured this year in the "Puppies, Kitties + Babies" section. Here's a sneak peek of the listing:

I love supporting this organization and I hope you will get involved, too! See who's participating and learn how you can sign up for the catalog on their website. 

Introducing P.D. Barkington – Leather Goods for Man & His Best Friend

Lofted Designs is excited to introduce P.D. Barkington – handcrafted leather goods for man and his best friend.

These attractive collars are handmade in Maine (by my talented husband Patrick) using 10-12 oz. English Bridle leather and rugged hardware in solid brass and stainless steel. 

Collars are available the following colors and sizes:

• English tan with brass hardware 
     Extra Small - 14" - 17" (3/4" wide) 
     Small - 16" - 19" (3/4" or 1" wide)
     Medium - 18" - 21" (3/4" or 1" wide)
     Large - 20" - 23" (1" wide)

• Chestnut brown with stainless steel hardware
     Small - 16" - 19" (1" wide)
     Medium - 18" - 21" (1" wide)
     Large - 20" - 23" (1" wide)

Visit the Lofted Designs and P.D. Barkington store (booth #45) at Bazaar Bizarre Boston to see these handsome collars in person and purchase your canine friend a holiday gift. If you can't make it to our event, these will be available for a limited time in the Lofted Designs Etsy shop. 

Close Buy Catalog 2012 – My Largest Order EVER

Lofted Designs was lucky enough to be selected once again to participate in Close Buy Catalog, a fundraising initiative to benefit schools and non-profits in Maine and beyond. The list of benefiting non-profits and schools grows each year, and I'm so honored to play a role in supporting these organizations. 

This year's fall fundraiser catalog was chock full of incredible products handcrafted in New England, and Lofted Designs pet tags were available in two styles:

I sold almost 100 tags (my largest and most production-intensive order to date), and tackled the project in small batches. Each tag was cut by hand from a large sheet of aluminum. I then filed the corners to round them, stamped the lettering and cut out the tiny hearts by hand with a small saw.

Once the hearts were cut out, I soldered silver rings to the top of each tag. 

After soldering, the lettering was darkened and each tag was carefully polished. And here they are: 

Each tag was placed into its own special pouch and they are finally ready for mailing! 

The final step – shipping to the fulfillment house in Lewiston, Maine, from which they (and many other great Close Buy Catalog products) will be distributed to schools and non-profits in early December. What a tremendous sense of accomplishment! A whole lot of pets in New England are about to get way more stylish. 

If you'd like to outfit your pets with some snazzy new tags in time for the holidays (they make perfect stocking stuffers), visit the pet accessories section of my Etsy shop to place an order today!

**Sandy Sale Update**

For those of you who have been keeping up with my blog, you know I donate a portion of my proceeds from sales to a local non-profit each quarter. You also know I have an awesome dog named Sandy. You also know that Sandy was excited for her namesake storm last week (since everyone kept saying her name all the time).

Well, now Hurricane Sandy has come and gone and left complete and utter destruction in its wake. Many places near my hometown in New Jersey are devastated beyond belief. Thankfully, all my friends and family are out of harm's way, but the road to recovery and rebuilding will be a very long one.

As a result, beagle Sandy and I have decided to turn her hurricane sale into a hurricane relief fund.

All proceeds from pet ID tags sold on my Etsy site through the end of the year will be donated to organizations on the ground in New York and New Jersey including the American Red Cross and the Humane Society's Disaster Relief Fund (to help pets lost or displaced from the storm). 

I typically choose a local non-profit each quarter for my donations, but this devastation is very near and dear to my heart, "local" is a relative term, and this is where our help is needed most. Beagle Sandy and I thank you for your support, as always.

Sandy's Pet Tag Hurricane Sale

As many of you know, I am the proud mama of an awesome beagle named Sandy. Her namesake storm is headed our way and she happens to be very excited that everyone keeps saying her name...especially those people on the Weather Channel. She thinks they are constantly talking to her! 

"I'm finally getting the recognition I deserve!"

In honor of Sandy's hurricane, Lofted Designs is offering a 20% discount to all canines (and kitties). Save on all pet tags (both ready-to-wear and custom styles). To browse all the ready-to-wear styles, visit this link. To order your very own custom dog tag, complete with name and phone number, visit this link.

"Look how fierce I can be!"

Enter coupon code HURRICANESANDY at checkout. Hurry...this offer is only valid through Friday, 11/2/12. We hope everyone stays safe!

Meet Sammy

Meet Sammy, one of my happy 4-legged customers, proudly wearing his "Rub My Belly" tag! He's had this tag on his collar for many years, and it looks to be holding up pretty well. 

"Belly Rub" tags and many other styles (including custom stampings with your pet's name, address and phone number) are available in my Etsy shop.