A Lockdown Hobby Turned Passion
2020
Our Beginning
In the midst of the UK lockdown, I, Lucy, decided to explore a creative outlet while finishing my training to become an accountant. With an iPad in hand, I began learning to create pet portraits. What started as a fun way to pass the time quickly turned into a passion. I launched an Etsy shop, initially offering birthday cards with playful designs and later transitioning into custom pet portraits.
2021
A New Chapter: From Portraits to Embroidery
By September 2021, I took a leap of faith and bought my first embroidery machine. Enlisting the help of my long-suffering boyfriend, Andy, we embarked on a new venture. Our adorable dachshund, Lola, whom we had rescued the previous year, became our inspiration. I created custom jumpers featuring her face, and the idea took off.
To our astonishment, our Etsy shop gained significant traction. We were featured in a CNN article about the best gifts to buy for Christmas, which catapulted us into the spotlight. One morning, we woke up to 100 orders and only a tiny embroidery machine to fulfill them. Our front room transformed into a bustling studio, and we found ourselves working full-time jobs during the day and sewing all night.
2021
Taking Our Passion on the Road
Our success allowed us to take Lucy & Lola on the road. We've traveled across the country, attending over 15 Dog Fest events and showcasing our work at Crufts three times. These shows have given us the opportunity to connect with pet lovers from all walks of life and share our passion for creating custom pet-embroidered garments.
As our business grew, so did our need for space. We moved out of our tiny house and into our first small studio. The journey has been challenging yet incredibly rewarding. Today, Lucy & Lola is a small but mighty team based in Cambridge, dedicated to embroidering each order with precision and love.