|

So....you are wondering possibly, who makes all of these bows anyway? I mean, I would be wondering...does a real person make the bows or are they from China?
Well, the bows are defiantly not made in China, in fact they are actually made in my little bow studio in Northern Michigan. If you are familiar with Michigan, I actually live about 35 miles North of Grand Rapids and about 50 miles South of Traverse City...Hi, I am Mary Beerman.
My Studio: Is a wonderful place to work indeed! I totally enjoy going to my shop each and every day...to me, my work really isn't a "job" it is more of a fun hobby instead. My bow studio (yes, there really is one!) is approximately 1,200 square feet in size. It is only steps away from my back door so my commute to work in the morning is about 30 seconds and that is if I walk fast! So, I do not have any snow days, or anything like that, I can pretty much get to work all of the time. My work area is designed so that my two Shih Tzu's Minnie and Maggie can easily access my work area. My girls have it pretty high class at my home, they have a play yard that is fenced between my home and my studio...they have a doggie door in both places so they can come and go as they please. My studio faces East, I have 5 windows on that side all together for a nice view, my shop faces a wooded area as we live on 5 acres on a dead end street. My neighborhood is very rural only a few homes on my street and I am close to a large river. I like to play in-visional music while I work, a classical sound so to speak but very relaxing. My studio currently stocks approximately 500,000 yards of ribbon at best guess...but who knows it could be more or less...I just know I have a BUNCH of ribbon and on occasion it can get out of control! I have about every type of embellishment you can think of...and I am always looking for more...more...more!
My Work: I have been making dog bows since 1999, my first start was on Ebay but I quickly decided that venue was not for me and I decided to open my own website. I have always strived to make my dog bows look different than everyone else's. I am constantly trying new ideas, designs and ribbons. You would think that a person might run out of "bow ideas" but...new ideas still keep popping in my head! I think dog bow making is an art of sorts...I think all bow makers have a "signature look" and that you can tell whose bows are made my whom in most cases. All of my dog bows are sewn by hand...I am the only one whom sews the bows, I do not ask for help in this area as I don't feel the bows would look the same if someone else sewed them. I am pretty much a working one-lady show...I do most things myself, on occasion I may have my sister come in the shop to help me ship or clean up...but you can guarantee that the dog bows will be made by me.
My Family: I have been married for 26 years now.. WOW! My hubby is Ken and we met when we were in high school. He was in the 12th grade and I in the 9th. We have one son named Ken also he is now 25 and on his own, he builds the huge corn silos in the farm belts and travels all over the United States. I also have two grandchildren one girl Sage and one boy Aidan. Sage is now 5 and Aidan is 3, both growing like weeds! The only "children" I now have at home are my two little Shih Tzu's Minnie and Maggie Mae. These babies are simply the loves of my life and I thank god for them each and every day. I am a retired pet groomer, I used to own Pampered Pets Grooming Salon here in Newaygo but sold that in 1995 due to health issues from a car accident I suffered in 1993.
Please see my scrapbook pictures of my babies below.. enjoy!
|
 Mary & Minnie at 6 weeks.
|
 Minnie all groomed
|
|
 Minnie (L) and Maggie (R)
|
 Maggie, the day we brought her home. She was given to us and had never been groomed, she was getting ready for a bath and haircut!
| |