As a small dog enthusiast and an artist, I seek out opportunities to support fellow artists who share my love of dogs. Etsy is a terrific venue because it’s bursting with creative dog-lovers. Now that I’ve volunteered to be Ottawa Dog Blog’s Etsy Addict for Small Dogs blogger, I look forward to sharing these treasures and other small dog finds with you.

First up– miniatures!  The only thing cuter than a small dog is even tinier versions of them, right?  When I discovered that I could have miniature sculptures made of my dogs, I jumped at the chance to give them to my partner as a gift.  We’re nutty like that. I decided to also have their favourite toys crafted into miniatures because, well, I’m addicted to cute.

I emailed photos of the dogs and their toys to the artist, paid the deposit, and patiently waited. The day the sculptures arrived, I set them up next to my dogs to take some photos. The dogs didn’t seem as enamoured with their miniatures as I was and it wasn’t long before my terrier duo grew tired of the photo shoot and fell asleep:

Petunia and Maya asleep with their Miniatures

Having a sculpture of your dog may, at first, seem like a frivolty but they are a perfect way to memorialize your best furry friend, they make a unique conversation piece, are tempting to take along on vacation as a stand-in (unlike your dog, they fly free!), and they make a great gift according to me AND the queen of gift-giving – Martha Stewart!

Petunia on Martha Stewart's 2010 Holiday Gift Guide

Although the artist I chose to create the portraits of my dogs (and their favourite toys) no longer sells through Etsy, there are plenty of artists who do!  Here are some of Canada’s best:

FibreHeart (Barrie, ON)
Specialty:  Based on photos you provide, Mandy will recreate your dog into a realistic miniature or even a life-size sculpture!  She uses both animal and vegetable-based fibres but will create your piece in vegetable-based materials if you would like it to be vegan or are allergic to wool.  
Price range: $75-500+

Maltese by FibreHeart

RoyalMint (Montreal, QC)
Specialty:  What make Sabina’s work stand out is its whimsy. Instead of a photo of your dog at your desk, why not have a charming little sculpture from Montreal instead? You can reach over and pet his little head during your coffee break.
Price range: $50

Pug by RoyalMint

Dreamwood Art Designs (Ontario)
Specialty:  Sharon finds inspiration in the illustrations of Beatrix Potter books and it shows in her delightful pieces. Working from photos of your dog, she creates 4″-5″ sculptures that capture your dog’s charm and personality.
Price range: around $100 

Chihuahua by Dreamwood Art Designs

KaysK9s (PEI)
Specialty:  In addition to miniature sculptures, Kay offers a sweet likeness of your dog for keepsake keychains, necklaces, purse clips, and more!  She offers vegan pieces as well.
Price range: $69-75 for accessories, $299 for sculptures

Bichon Frise Purse Clip by KaysK9s

Felt The Fluff (Westwold, BC)
Specialty: Ellie’s miniatures are so roly-poly and adorable that you might just want to buy one of the chipmunks or rabbits in her shop to accompany your custom piece!
Price Range: $45

Cairn Terrier by Felt The Fluff

Heather Bays (Toronto, ON)
Specialty: You know if your own dog were this small, she’d always travel with you in your pocket. Now she can!  Heather will create a bendable miniature likeness of your dog that she’ll transform into a keychain or brooch for no extra charge. 
Price range: $59

Chihuahua and Boston Terrier by Heather Bays

Now that we’ve welcomed a third dog into our home, she needs to join her sisters in having miniatures made. Hmm, which of the artists above would best be able to recreate this silliness?:

Upside-down Bluebell

Etsy Addict for Small Dogs, Krishna

As a small dog enthusiast and an artist, I seek out opportunities to support fellow artists who share my love of dogs.

More Posts