Animals are like family to many in the industry. That’s why Jewelers & Pets is a new column for the Style 360 blog, and will highlight the furry friends of some of industry’s finest and the role they play in their lives. Plus, it’s also a good excuse to link to one of the many animal rescues and charities that exist to help animals in need. Want your pet to be profiled? Connect with me at jheebner@jckonline.com.
Self-proclaimed “cat person” Tiffany Peay took a leap of faith when she adopted Kashmir, or Kashie, her first dog, from her brother and sister-in-law, who breed dogs, in early January this year. The little female golden retriever, now 7 months old, was the runt of her litter and required bottle-feeding because she couldn’t muscle her way into the pack of 11 other pups vying for mom’s milk.
“Her dad was an English cream golden retriever, and her mom was a more orangey golden,” explains Peay, a jewelry designer with a retail store in Tiverton, R.I. “I’m told that goldens have a recessive curly gene, and Kashie is definitely the curliest one in that littler. Some of the others were a little more orange, but Kashie is pretty white, and has little ringlets on her coat. Her temperament is amazing, and she is so great to have in the shop; she makes people relax, especially men. I think she really helps them feel calmer.”
Jewelry designer Tiffany Peay with her recently adopted golden retriever Kashmir, or Kashie for short.
Peay almost immediately made the pooch, named for Kashmir sapphires, her own bejeweled collar. During the 2013 AGTA Tucson GemFair, she picked up some hanks of inexpensive freshwater pearls, strung them on silver wire, and then sewed them to a store-bought leather dog collar. Peay also made a few more for display in her shop, located in Newport County near Compton Beach. All are available for wholesale purchase; custom orders are encouraged.
“They’re pretty sturdy,” she says of the dog collars. “I haven’t sold any yet in the store, but I expect them to sell since the summer season is starting here.”
Fur kid Kashmir decked out in her pearl dog collar at mom Tiffany Peay’s shop in Tiverton, R.I.
And a chance meeting in store paved the way for Peay and Kashie’s next adventure: speaking to a pet psychic. “The parents of pet psychic Laura Stinchfield stopped in and bought a pendant a few weeks ago,” says Peay. The designer learned that Stinchfield had a radio show that broadcasts her interviews with pets living and deceased, and that all she needed was a photo of the animal in order to communicate. Peay has already sent in Kashie’s picture, so, she’s just waiting for the next air date to phone in. (The show is off this week for the July 4 holiday, but typically airs at 3 p.m. EST on blogtalkradio.com/thepetpsychic.com.) Considering that Stinchfield has interviewed the famous skateboarding bulldog—telling the world that he preferred to practice new tricks in private skateboarding sessions—Peay is anxious to hear what’s on sweet little Kashie’s mind.
Collar in maroon leather with a single row of 11–14 mm natural pink freshwater pearls with sterling silver wire, $375
Collar in cognac leather with double row of 7–8 mm, dyed chocolate freshwater pearls with sterling silver wire, $375
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