High Fashion Meets Low Cost When You Can Affordably Jazz Up Your Pet

Shopping for pet products can get expensive. Clothing, accessories, food, and treats can be costly, and choosing them can be daunting. Before you rush to the store and buy everything for your pet, think about things you can make at home. Your creativity and imagination can inspire multiple pet products. Here’s a way to jazz up your pet’s collars, making them perfect for any outfit occasion.

If you’re into fashion, then you know how costly collars, leashes, and harnesses can be. Instead of pumping money into a matching collar for every outfit, make your own to match a variety of outfits. For instance, diamond studded collars look great with almost any outfit, while they also look terrific alone. To make your own, all you need to do is find a plain, simple collar and make a trip to a hobby store. You won’t be using true diamonds, but decorative jewels will add the sparkle you’re looking for.

The collar can be purchased at any pet or discount supermarket. Don’t sacrifice safety or fit for price. Find one that fits your animal properly. The collar should be fairly stiff, not uncomfortably stiff or flimsy. A flimsy or easily bendable collar may not be able to hold the jewels securely. The color depends upon your preference. If you cover the entire collar with jewels, then color may not be an issue. However, you may choose to allow extra spacing between the jewels. When in doubt, plain collars work; choose colors like black, white, or dark brown.

Your next trip should be to a hobby store. Many hobby stores have pet accessory aisles, so you may be able to find collars here, too. When you get to the store, find the section with the beads and decorative emblems. Often, jewels can be found with the shirt decorating materials. Once you find the right aisle, it’s up to you what you choose. This is a chance for you to be creative. To match multiple outfits, you could make one diamond studded collar and one collar made of multicolored jewels. Jewels come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. You can make a collar full of different sized stars or one with a simple squared jewel pattern. If jewels aren’t for you, then you can also use other decorative emblems. Decide how many jewels (or other materials) you need. Depending on the size of the pack and the size of the jewels, you may need to purchase multiple packs.

While you are at hobby shop, look for pet-safe, glue. The glue may not be named pet or animal safe, but you can find out that information by reading the label on the bottle. Since you are using the glue on material (the collar), it should also be designed for that purpose. Often, this can be found where the shirt decorating supplies are found (possibly on the same aisle at the jewels). Find glue that is strong, yet non-toxic. If you cannot find glue at the hobby store, then you may have to make a trip to the supermarket.

When you return home, it’s a good idea to make yourself a work space. Since you will be bent over a collar for a period of time, you may want to use a desk or table. Dampen a cloth and lightly wipe down the collar, removing any dirt that may keep the jewels from sticking. Let the collar completely dry before you start with the glue. Read the instructions on the glue bottle before you begin. That way, if you have a spill, then you’ll know how to handle it. While you are waiting on the collar to dry, figure out your desired design. Drawing it out on a piece of paper will help you better judge where to place the jewels. Now, it’s time to glue each jewel on piece by piece. Place the glue directly on the jewel, not the collar. Use enough glue to get the jewel to stick, but not so much that it runs. Adhere one jewel at a time, and spend a few seconds applying pressure. Depending on how fast the glue dries, it may be a good idea to place a heavy book (or similar object) on the finished collar. Let the collar dry for at least 24 hours before use.

There are adorable collars for cats and dogs all over the place. Unfortunately, the collars can be costly. Use your imagination to decorate your own collar at home. Visit a local hobby store to spark some great ideas. At-home decoration is fun, and you can tailor the items to match your needs!