silhouPETe blog

The season of giving has begun!

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This Fall, silhouPETte was lucky to work with the kind and caring souls at the Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston. While aspecific team of volunteers and foster parents worked to raise awareness at a local event, they were surprised with a gift from us!

A total of ten compassionate individuals received our Miniature Schnauzer charm as a ‘thank you’ for their heartfelt contributions within the K9 world. We are so very touched by how they give their homes, their hearts and their souls to care for our four-legged friends… we just couldn’t resist sending them some of our love in the form of the animals they care for most!

Here’s a story — from the point of view of an actual rescued pup — that will melt your heart. If you live in the Houston area, please consider adding a rescue from the MSRH to your family.

Makayla

 “I’ve paid my dues, time after time. I’ve done my sentence, but committed no crime. And bad mistakes; I’ve made a few. I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face but I’ve come through! The house was getting packed up. I thought we were moving out and moving up. But they moved. And they left me behind. Like totally behind. Like by myself. But I’m a fighter! And thanks to Donna, my loving foster mom, and Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston, I’ll be a champion again! I’m Makayla and I’m a female, white Miniature Schnauzer with natural ears and a docked tail. I’m about one year old…certainly less than two….and I weigh about nine pounds. I have a bit of a “cherry eye” but it’s cosmetic and MSRH is going to have it fixed for me before adoption. I’m a super sweet young lady and I’m extremely friendly. I’m crate trained and I’m house trained too! I know. You’re thinking, ‘why would they leave her behind’. Yea. That’s what I think too! I like to go on walks, am learning how to walk on a leash, and am also learning some basic commands. I know I can be a champion again, and with the help of my foster mom, Donna, I will be ready to show some lucky family all of the love and charm I have to offer.”

Sending a special ‘thanks’ to Kathryn McCoy for working on this project with us to acknowledge and appreciate the MSRH team!


silhouPETte Launches Custom Jewelry Line; Pledges 100% of Profits to Charity

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Jessica DiPaola, Founder
(424)259-2738
press@silhouPETte.com

silhouPETte Launches Custom Jewelry Line;

Pledges 100% of Profits to Charity

 California-based Start-up Creates “Pet-Personalized” Charms for their Human Owners

VENICE BEACH, CA – August 21, 2012 – silhouPETte, the Venice, CA startup that specializes in pet silhouette gifts and keepsakes for human owners, today launched its first line of “pet-personalized” charm necklaces on www.silhouPETte.com.  silhouPETe balances both beauty and customization in its jewelry line with an altruistic motive: The company has pledged 100% of its profits to animal rescue and education programs, including The Gentle Barn and The Boys and Girls Club.

Founded by Jessica DiPaola in 2008, silhouPETte initially built its business by creating Victorian-bust style pet portraits, which quickly gained popularity with human owners.  Now, silhouPETte has applied its stylized adoration to jewelry, resulting in a pet keepsake that owners can take wherever they go.  Worn facing the heart, each silhouPETte charm necklace captures the details that make the pet unique — like the schnauzer’s perky bangs or the pug’s reassuring wrinkles.

“Our pets remind us of unconditional love, and our silhouPETe necklaces are designed to showcase that quality,” said Jessica DiPaola, founder of silhouPETe. “My heart fills with joy when I think of the impact my animals have had on my life, and wearing their silhouettes reminds me of their capacity to love and be loved.”

Popular breeds, including the Chihuahua, Dachshund, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Poodle, Pug, Schnauzer, Yorkie and even the Short-haired Cat are in-stock and ready to buy.  But for the ultimate in bespoke jewelry, silhouPETte’s California-based artisans will create a one-of-a-kind charm of any pet from a simple snapshot.

silhouPETte charms are offered in sterling silver and gold-dipped sterling, and range from  $69.95 to $79.95.  Customized charms start at $169.95.  For more information or to place an order, please visit www.silhouPETte.com.

About silhouPETe

silhouPETte celebrates the unique bond between humans and their animal companions by creating handcrafted silhouette jewelry and gifts of pets for their owners.  The company has a pay-it-forward philosophy and contributes 100% of profits to education and animal rehabilitation and rescue organizations, including The Boys & Girls Club and The Gentle Barn.

Founded in 2008 in California by Jessica DiPaola, a successful entrepreneur, designer and philanthropist, silhouPETte was inspired by her love of her cat, Silkey, who passed at age eighteen. The affordable luxury collection is crafted from sterling silver and 14k gold, and is the perfect gift for any animal enthusiast. To view the collection online or to create a custom piece featuring your pet, visit silhouPETte.com.

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Our Chihuahua charm necklace gets a lot of love in a little package

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There was a *very* special recipient of our Chihuahua charm necklace purchased at our first FURst Friday event earlier this month. After wrapping up the event, I came home to an e-mail with an attached picture. The e-mail said:

“Thanks for bringing this beautiful art form to the world!  Today you made a little girl with a lot of love very happy.”
Chihuahua Charm Necklace
My Daughter:  Zen “Sunshine” Haedike (Age: 5)
Her buddy:  ”Baby” (Age: 9 months )
 In our house, they are “Sunshine and Baby”  :-)
This picture makes my heart smile. Zen’s genuine expression of happiness captured after receiving the Chihuahua charm necklace from her dad is the biggest compliment to our work. Ever.
Thank you to Zen’s proud Papa for sharing this photo with us and for giving us permission to share it with each of you.

FIRST “FURst Friday” Fun

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If any of you Southern Californians have yet to attend a festive First Friday on Abbot Kinney, you’re absolutely due! Unique and yummy food options, lots of interesting people watching opportunities, and fun finds (eh-hem).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our event started at 6pm, where we got to meet a lot of cute pets and their people. It was great connecting with people who are as passionate about their pets as we are!

Guests purchased silhouPETte charm necklaces for their daughters, for hard-working pet mommies, and upcoming birthday gifts! We got valuable feedback and tips and one customer even suggested we present at dog shows… we’ll keep you posted on that one! The favorite charm of the night was definitely the chihuahua and the most requested charm that we are currently working on was the boxer. We promise to let you know as soon as it’s ready!

We used the “bellaPETte” studio to take on-location snapshots of pets for custom orders — and for fun of course, too! We weren’t sure how pets would respond to the studio but these pups seemed to enjoy having their photos taken (and the doggy treats didn’t hurt). One of the many things I love about dogs is that you can really see when they’re smiling.  Take a look at these two and you’ll see what I mean.

 

The team, including our office pup, Dixon, stayed and mingled until the wee hours of the night (a.k.a. 10:30pm). Thank you to everyone who stopped by to see what we’re all about. It was great meeting each of you and we look forward to seeing you next time!

 

We are so thankful to have great friends and neighbors who helped and hung out all night long. In true Abbot Kinney style, it was a relaxed night being amongst one of the more the eclectic crowds in Los Angeles.

Our next FURst Friday will start at 5pm and we hope to see you there! Check out our Facebook for more photos from the night!

 

 

 


Join silhouPETte’s FURst Friday event on Abbot Kinney!

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Pet mommies, daddies, and sitters: we are hosting the very first “FURst Friday” at the silhouPETte headquarters on Abbot Kinney THIS Friday!

The action starts at 6pm! Our entire collection will be displayed (including some pieces not yet featured on our website) — we’re also introducing the “bellaPETte” cam to take pictures of your pet for custom orders (and have a little fun while we’re at it).

We’ll be set up outside of 1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd., cross street California. Looking forward to seeing you and your fur babies there!


Remembering Snickers, the beloved Beagle

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Last month Gina reached out to me to memorialize Snickers, her beloved and recently passed beagle. Snickers had been part of her family for over a decade; he entered their lives as a puppy and he grew up side-by-side with Gina’s three young children.

Gina wanted a custom silhouette charm necklace of Snickers. And when I create any custom piece I always ask for a handful of pictures to get to know the pet’s personality. Looking through the photos from Gina, there was a clear mutual adoration between her family and Snickers. Seeing unconditional love between a dog and his family inspires me in my work and in life. It’s that unspoken expression of love that really gets to me.

The piece was made in solid sterling silver, measuring just over .5″ tall. The entire charm was carefully hand cut and Snickers’ cute floppy ear was hand-engraved. After much effort in development, we created a new way to connect the charm to the necklace chain by attaching a half-loop to the back of the charm. This made the details of entire face of the silhouette completely visible.

Gina – thank you again for letting me into your life to help memorialize Snickers! I hope the charm of his silhouette will always be a reminder of  the love you shared with your adorable little guy.


Mother’s Day Giveaway – WIN a custom silhouPETte charm necklace featuring YOUR pet!

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custom silhouette charm necklaceIn celebration of Mother’s Day, we will be randomly selecting one lucky winner of a custom silhouPETte charm necklace in sterling silver (a $167 value)!

To enter, show some love by posting a picture of you with your fur baby (or just your pet alone) to our Facebook page no later than Saturday, 5/12/12 at 10pm PDT. Bring the cuteness!

We will announce the winner on Sunday at 10am PDT. All are welcomed to participate! Good luck!

Please see our FAQ page to understand how the custom silhouPETte charm process works!

*Winnings are transferrable to another person :)

**Random.org will be used to select the one lucky winner

 


Mike Dravis has got some awesome skills

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Toward the beginning of summer I came across Mike’s work while reading Facebook updates from Johnny Cupcakes. Mike is the main photographer for the company and shoots their Boston-based events as well. I met Johnny at my sister’s wedding in 2009 – he is a very inspirational business man who surrounds himself with an eclectic and talented team.

I looked up Mike’s work on the web and fell more in love with each shot I saw. I contacted him to take some pictures for the new website we’re launching at the end of this month. Practically no direction was needed: I told him a few basic shots the website required and he made magic happen.

Mike has a high-end and edgy eye. His shots are crisp and clean with vibrant colors. I can talk forever about it but I think his pictures speak for themselves. Here is a sneak peek of some of my favorites…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Dravis  

web: www.MikeDravis.com

phone: 508.737.8141

e-mail: mikedravis@yahoo.com


WELCOME to my NEW BLOG

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Hello There!

Thanks for following the silhouPETte blog and for visiting us at our new home!

We welcome you to be active in our community — so feel free to share pet related photos, stories, and the like.

xox,

Jessica I. Hallock & the silhouPETte team


Ricki Lake is on FIRE

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No pun intended: almost a year after her rented house in Malibu burned down, Ricki gets her revenge by tearing up the dance floor this season as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.”

I won’t deny that I am extremely happy to see her on TV again… I also have to admit that my sister and I had a guilty pleasure in the 90′s and it was called “The Ricki Lake Show.” And I fondly remember spending summers camping out in the living room watching Hairspray over and over again. Very good times!

Ricki with Jeffie, her adorable golden retriever-poodle pup

Ricki gets major kudos for being able to rock a bee-hive, for being determined to “pound down” on DWTS, and especially, for of her love of animals. In ’95 she participated in a heated anti-fur protest at our beloved fashion legend, Karl Lagerfeld’s Fifth Avenue showroom. Go Ricki!

She seems to be an incredibly determined entertainer and pet parent who practices what she preaches — and I have a good feeling her determination will take her quite far in her DWTS journey! Best of luck to the beautiful brunette and fellow pet-lover!

And for the record, I’m getting married next spring (!!!) and I’ll be wearing a *faux-fur* shrug!

xox,
Jessica & silhouPETte