My Favorite Post of 2008

It sure has been a busy year for Merlin's Bark Products. Things sure have been moving fast for the company and I don't want to brag, but I think Merlin's Bark Products may become one of those Fortune 500 companies you read about in the papers within a couple of years.

Anyhow, while I was reflecting on the past year, I realized that my company wouldn't be where it is today if it wasn't for Etsy providing us (and a couple hundred thousand others) with a great place to setup shop and sell all of our wonderful handmade (and vintage) items online.

Also, you would say that we also got our "big break" from Etsy too. Back before Merlin's Bark Products even had our first Etsy sale one of the co-founders (Jared) interviewed me for a feature story on Etsy.

So in celebration of the end of 2008, I decided to rerun my blog post on my Etsy Spotlight interview.



My Fresh Shop interview with Jared was published today! I am so excited about it that my little bunny butt has been shaking in a frenzy for awhile now. I reprinted the whole article below, but feel free to check out the article and all the nice comments people have been leaving me about my shop on Etsy's Web site.

*******

Fresh Shops: Merlin's Bark Products
Story by jared

Published on July 31, 2008 in Spotlight

Recently, I was clicking through Pounce Undiscovered with my right hand while rubbing my dog’s head with my left. I saw this great (well-crafted and simply designed) elevated dog feeder (in red-stained chestnut) by Merlin's Bark Products, and I ah-ha’ed aloud.

I love finding good woodwork on Etsy. This shop couples creative carpentry with a design sensibility that’s driven by deep compassion for animals.

So far, merlinsbarkproducts features an assortment of feeders and little wooden homes for an array of animals, such as bluebirds, bats, butterflies, flying squirrels…and of course, dogs.

I put a few questions to the creators behind merlinsbarkproducts, Sherry and Jerry:

There is a great beauty and variety of wood in your items. What are some of the benefits to using sustainably harvested or recycled wood?

It is very important to me that we use wood that comes from trees that are managed and farmed in ways that ensure the protection of the environment and other natural resources. Also, I would hate to think that I was contributing to the removal of old growth trees. I know that a lot of different animals depend on those trees for housing. Also, you can find a lot of beauty in old recycled wood. We get a lot of our recycled wood from a local building material recycling center. I am hoping to use some of their old barn wood for owl house I have in mind.

The designs of your animal homes seem strangely inviting...

I love to lay outside in my yard and watch all the different animals run around. When I’m watching them, I start to think about what type of houses and feeding station they would need.

One of my favorite products is our condominium for flying squirrels. It is just amazing! It is over 3-feet tall and has four floors. I came up with the design after watching our own flying squirrels and wondering what type of house they would need if our old pine tree didn’t exist anymore. I did a little research and came up with a house that any flying squirrel would be proud to call home.

I also realized the need for Purple Martin houses when a whole colony of them decided to move into our gutters this spring. I did a little research trying to figure out why they moved in and found out that Purple Martins are the only birds that totally depend on humans for housing. So now we will be adding Purple Martin houses to our product line.

Your blog details a very interesting story about how you turned an idea into a real company. Can you talk about some of the challenges you faced and how you resolved them?

One of the biggest challenges was figuring out what type of products I wanted to concentrate on. At first I was thinking about making products for animals and humans, but I have found myself concentrating more on products geared toward animals.

Though, humans benefit from our products too. Whether it is from installing a bat house and having Mother Nature’s little pest control experts take the place of using poisonous insecticide, or being entertained by song birds eating out of a feeder, the enjoyment our of products can be shared by animals and humans.

Our product line continues to evolve. I love receiving feedback and suggestions from customers. Recently we had people ask us about elevated cat bowl feeders. I had never thought making those before, but now we will be adding elevated cat bowl feeders to our product line. I also continue to do research on animal husbandry to see what other types of products we should be offering.

You are a member of the Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Resuce (AWBAR), who also keeps an Etsy shop. How does being a member of such a compassionate organization affect your role as a shop owner?

Since I’ve joined, I’ve been helping to spread the word about AWBAR through my blog and also on forums. I recently donated one of our dual feeders (a feeder that can be used by both birds and squirrels) to the AWBAR Etsy store. I can’t wait for it to sell. All of the proceeds from the sale will go directly to support the care of the baby animals at AWBAR.

******

I'll be barking to you later!

Doctor Recommended: Elevated Dog Bowls

How would you like to have to eat hunched over a bowl? Or how about trying to get a drink of water all hunched over? If your pet doesn't eat out of an elevated bowl, that is what your pup (or cat) is doing everyday. Not only is it uncomfortable to do, but it is also harder on the digestive system. By using a raised/elevated feeder, which is designed to provide food and water at the correct height, you can help prevent and alleviate any problems. That is why Merlin's Bark Products has its own line of elevated dog bowl feeders and also elevated cat bowl feeders.


Veterinarians actually recommend raised bowl feeders for dogs and cats since they help alleviate problems the pets might have with arthritis, neck and back problems, and also with digestion problems like megaesophagus and other conditions that make swallowing painful and difficult. Since elevated feeders are sit up higher, everything goes down the throat a little easier.

Elevated bowls also help keep pets eating areas cleaner. They help keep the food and water in the bowls and not dribbling all over the floor. Have you ever noticed pups "dripping" water all over the floor whenever they lift up their head up after taking a drink? Using an elevated bowl can helped stop the "lake" from forming around a pup's water bowl when they are getting a drink. A lot of pets like to play with their food and water dishes too and having raised bowls stop pets from doing that.

Elevated dishes don't just benefit members of the animal kingdom, they also benefit pet owners since they no longer have to bend over as far to pick up their pet's food and water dishes. Sounds like a win/win situation to me!

I'll be barking to you later!

Elevated Bowls for X-mas!

It is time to get your orders in for Merlin's Bark Products' elevated dog bowls, cat bowls, or any of our other great handmade pet products if you wish to have them under your tree in time for Christmas. If you are interested in doing a custom order make sure you get your order in by this Friday (December 12th) so we can start production and ship it out to you in time for the holidays.

3-Inch High Elevated Cat Bowl

6" High Elevated Dog Bowl

Items are going fast, so make sure you get your orders in soon. I'll be barking to you later!

MBP's 4-Day Gobble Gobble Sale!

As the CEO of Merlin's Bark Products I am pleased to announce that I have taken an additional 10% off the original purchase price of all of my in stock items from November 28th thru December 1st! That means all of our:

elevated dog bowls,

elevated cat bowls,

pet toy boxes,

and birdhouses, bird feeders, and squirrel feeders can now be purchased for 10% less. Sounds like a great deal to me!

I'll be barking to you later!

Yappy Happy Pups for the Holidays!

Recently, I blogged that I would be barking about some of my top Etsy gift recommendations for pets, pet lovers, and pet owners for this holiday season. The first item I would like to bark about is this custom made indoor doghouse from YappyHappy


Made for the smaller pup (up to 15lbs), this doghouse can even be ordered with a battery operated chandelier ready to switch on and off. Talk about living the pampered life!

Don't think you have time to get a custom order done and under the tree by the holidays? Never fear, YappyHappy has a mini Starbarks house for your small yapper ready to go out the door upon order!



While I might be a tad over the weight limit for either one of these houses, I think they would make the perfect gift for some lucky pup this holiday season. YappyHappy also has custom dog tags, pet mats, and other cool items available too - so take a couple minutes and check out their shop. You might just find that "must have" gift item for this holiday season.

Well, I need to get back to planning Merlin's Bark Products 1st after Thanksgiving Day sale. I'll be barking to you later!

Turkey Day Sale!

I'm so excited that my little bunny butt can't stop shaking! Merlin's Bark Products is preparing for their very first after Thanksgiving sale extravaganza! I haven't worked out all the final details yet, but Merlin's Bark Products will be offering a discount on all our in stock items! That is very exciting news if you ask me. Make sure you check back in a couple of days for more details. Also, I will be blogging during the next couple of weeks on some totally awesome holiday gifts (like the elevated dog bowl pictured below) that you should be buying on Etsy.


I'll be barking to you later!

Etsy Corgi Favorites!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade merlinsbarkproducts.etsy.com

Elevated Cat Bowl Feeders!

Sure, I'm not a huge fan of cats, but I think that they should have cool products just like us pups - which is why Merlin's Bark Products also offers a full line of elevated cat bowls in a number of paint colors and stains. Now the littlest pup (or kitty) in the world will be able to feel larger than life eating out of their own elevated feeder made especially for them. Measuring 3 inches in height, these extra small elevated bowls are the perfect height for kitties and also those teeny tiny pups like chihuahuas, malteses, pekingeses, and dachshunds.

3-Inch Tall 1-Pint Elevated Cat Bowl Feeder (Painted - Antique Green)

3-Inch Tall 1-Pint Raised Cat Bowl Feeder (Stained - Dark Walnut)

3-Inch Tall 3-Bowl 1-Pint Elevated Cat Bowl Feeder (Painted - Creamy White)

3-Inch Tall 1-Pint Raised Cat Bowl Feeder (Painted - Granite)

I am very happy that Merlin's Bark Products is able to offer elevated feeders to cats and pups of all sizes. I'll be barking to you later!

Custom Made 3-Bowl Elevated Dog Feeders!

Got multiple pups? Why not let them eat in style out of a beautiful elevated dog bowl feeder stained the color of your choice. Merlin's Bark Products is now offering 12" high custom multiple bowl feeders for purchase! Measuring 12 inches high it will be perfect fit for the large sized pups. Constructed in a Shaker table style, and stained whatever color you choose to go with your kitchen, the look will be completed with three 2 quart stainless steel dog bowls (with your choice of either plain bowls or bowls with an embossed puppy paw motif).


This elevated dog bowl feeder pictured was a custom order created for a customer and stained in traditional cherry. Check out a Merlin's Bark Products selection of available stain colors to find the perfect match for your home.


Did you know that elevated feeders are a great thing for a pup to have. Not only do they look nicer than just a plain old bowl setting on the floor, but elevated feeders are very beneficial for pets too. Veterinarians recommend elevated feeders because they help ease digestion problems, and are easier for pets that have problems with arthritis, neck or back problems to eat out of. Also, using raised feeding bowls help provide pet owners with a more hygienic and cleaner house. How great is that?!

I'll be barking to you later!

Size Does Matter!

If you have stopped by Merlin's Bark Products Etsy shop lately you would have noticed that I have updated and changed around our shop sections. Now instead of having all of our elevated dog (and cat) bowls jumbled up all together in one section - all of the raised feeders have been separated into their own shop sections according to height size. So now if you are looking for a particular size for your pup, you will easily be able to see all our current selections by a click on a link.

Here's what our new shop sections look like and an example of the type of products you will find

* Extra Small Elevated Cat (and Dog) Bowl Feeders (feeders under 3" high)

* Small Elevated Dog (and Cat) Bowl Feeders (feeders under 6" high)

* Medium Elevated Dog Bowl Feeders (feeders 6" high)

* Large Elevated Dog Bowl Feeders (feeders 12" high)

* Extra Large Elevated Dog Bowl Feeders (feeders 18" high)


I hope these changes make shopping at Merlin's Bark Products Etsy store a little easier. I am constantly adding new products so make sure you "shop on by" every once-in-awhile and check out all the latest additions to our product line.

I'll be barking to you later!

Etsy Pets and Pet Lovers Gift Guide (Part 3)

Merlin's Bark Products has made Etsy's Pets & Pet Lovers Gift Guide for a third time! A couple of our items have been listed in the gift guide previously, and the last item to be selected for the guide was purchased a couple weeks ago so we haven't had an item in the guide for a little while. Anyhow, another one of our items has been chosen for the gift guide. This time it is one of our elevated/raised dog bowl feeders! This is the first time that one of our elevated dog bowls has made the guide. Check it out right there in the 3rd row, 4th column.


I'll be barking to you later!

Measuring for an Elevated Feeder!

Since so many pups (and their parents) have been asking me about Merlin's Bark Products line of elevated dog (and cat) bowl feeders and how to figure out what size would be perfect for them - I figured it would be helpful if I included that info in my blog.

So here's some guidelines to help inquiring pups that want to know:

#1 The feeder's height. The usual guideline to find the perfect feeder height is six inches below the pup's withers (i.e. front shoulders). Another broader guideline is that the feeder's height be between 4 to 10 inches below the withers. For example, if you got a tiny pup and six inches seem like a lot, four inches or less should do.

#2 The bowl capacity. My general thought is that the bigger the bowl the better! I know that a lot of pups would agree with me on that, but I also realize that a lot of owners would disagree. So I have included some bowl size measurements below so you can get a good idea of what size the bowls are that we use:

1-pint bowl: inside measures - 4 1/2" wide x 2" deep (holds 2 cups)
1-quart bowl: inside measures - 5 1/2” wide x 2 1/2” deep (holds 4 cups)
2-quart bowl: inside measures - 7 1/4” wide x 3” deep (holds 8 cups)
3-quart bowl: inside measures - 8 3/4" wide x 3 1/2" deep (holds 12 cups)

Once you have figured out what size feeder and bowl would be perfect for your pup - all that is left for you to do is stop by my Etsy store, and pick our which color you like best. So measure your pup and stop by Merlin's Bark Products to find that perfect feeder for your pup (or kitty).

I'll be barking to you later!

Etsy Pets and Pet Lovers Gift Guide (Part 2)

Merlin's Bark Products has made Etsy's Pets & Pet Lovers Gift Guide for a second time! One of our items had been listed in the gift guide previously, and that item was purchased last month so we haven't had an item in the guide for awhile. Anyhow, another one of our elevated/raised cat bowl feeders has made the gift guide! This time it is one of our 3-bowl feeders. Check it out right there in the 1st row, 2nd column.



I'll be barking to you later!

Big Pup Elevated Dog Bowl Feeder!

Got an extra-large pup in your life? Does your big baby eat from their bowl by laying on the floor? If so, it sounds like your big boy (or girl) needs an elevated dog bowl that is made just for them. That is why Merlin's Bark Products has its own line of elevated dog bowl feeders specially designed for the extra large pups. Measuring 18 inches high, our feeders are a must have for those Clifford, Marmaduke, Howard Huge sized pups.


Not only is an elevated dog bowl holder easier for your pup to eat out of, but it is also easier on the digestive system. By using a raised/elevated feeder, which is designed to provide food and water at the correct height, you can help prevent and alleviate any problems your pup might have digesting food and water.


Veterinarians actually recommend raised bowl feeders for dogs and cats since they help alleviate problems the pets might have with arthritis, neck and back problems, and also with digestion problems like megaesophagus and other conditions that make swallowing painful and difficult. Since elevated feeders are sit up higher, everything goes down the throat a little easier.


Elevated bowls also help keep pets eating areas cleaner. They help keep the food and water in the bowls and not dripping all over the floor. They also prevent pups from moving their dishes all over the floor and having little mishaps with their bowls by overturning them.



Make sure you checkout Merlin's Bark Products line of elevated dog bowl feeders specially designed for those extra large pups in your life.

I'll be barking to you later!

My Fresh Shops Interview!!

My Fresh Shop interview with Jared was published today! I am so excited about it that my little bunny butt has been shaking in a frenzy for awhile now. I reprinted the whole article below, but feel free to check out the article and all the nice comments people have been leaving me about my shop on Etsy's Web site.

*******

Fresh Shops: Merlin's Bark Products
Story by jared

Published on July 31, 2008 in Spotlight

Recently, I was clicking through Pounce Undiscovered with my right hand while rubbing my dog’s head with my left. I saw this great (well-crafted and simply designed) elevated dog feeder (in red-stained chestnut) by Merlin's Bark Products, and I ah-ha’ed aloud.

I love finding good woodwork on Etsy. This shop couples creative carpentry with a design sensibility that’s driven by deep compassion for animals.

So far, merlinsbarkproducts features an assortment of feeders and little wooden homes for an array of animals, such as bluebirds, bats, butterflies, flying squirrels…and of course, dogs.

I put a few questions to the creators behind merlinsbarkproducts, Sherry and Jerry:

There is a great beauty and variety of wood in your items. What are some of the benefits to using sustainably harvested or recycled wood?

It is very important to me that we use wood that comes from trees that are managed and farmed in ways that ensure the protection of the environment and other natural resources. Also, I would hate to think that I was contributing to the removal of old growth trees. I know that a lot of different animals depend on those trees for housing. Also, you can find a lot of beauty in old recycled wood. We get a lot of our recycled wood from a local building material recycling center. I am hoping to use some of their old barn wood for owl house I have in mind.

The designs of your animal homes seem strangely inviting...

I love to lay outside in my yard and watch all the different animals run around. When I’m watching them, I start to think about what type of houses and feeding station they would need.

One of my favorite products is our condominium for flying squirrels. It is just amazing! It is over 3-feet tall and has four floors. I came up with the design after watching our own flying squirrels and wondering what type of house they would need if our old pine tree didn’t exist anymore. I did a little research and came up with a house that any flying squirrel would be proud to call home.

I also realized the need for Purple Martin houses when a whole colony of them decided to move into our gutters this spring. I did a little research trying to figure out why they moved in and found out that Purple Martins are the only birds that totally depend on humans for housing. So now we will be adding Purple Martin houses to our product line.

Your blog details a very interesting story about how you turned an idea into a real company. Can you talk about some of the challenges you faced and how you resolved them?

One of the biggest challenges was figuring out what type of products I wanted to concentrate on. At first I was thinking about making products for animals and humans, but I have found myself concentrating more on products geared toward animals.

Though, humans benefit from our products too. Whether it is from installing a bat house and having Mother Nature’s little pest control experts take the place of using poisonous insecticide, or being entertained by song birds eating out of a feeder, the enjoyment our of products can be shared by animals and humans.

Our product line continues to evolve. I love receiving feedback and suggestions from customers. Recently we had people ask us about elevated cat bowl feeders. I had never thought making those before, but now we will be adding elevated cat bowl feeders to our product line. I also continue to do research on animal husbandry to see what other types of products we should be offering.

You are a member of the Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Resuce (AWBAR), who also keeps an Etsy shop. How does being a member of such a compassionate organization affect your role as a shop owner?

Since I’ve joined, I’ve been helping to spread the word about AWBAR through my blog and also on forums. I recently donated one of our dual feeders (a feeder that can be used by both birds and squirrels) to the AWBAR Etsy store. I can’t wait for it to sell. All of the proceeds from the sale will go directly to support the care of the baby animals at AWBAR.

******

I'll be barking to you later!

Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide

After stumbling across one of our items in Etsy's Pet & Pet Lovers Gift Guide the other day, I figured that I should check out the other gift guides to see if we were included in any of those too. Well, this morning I was checking out Etsy's Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide and low-and-behold there was one of our Trexed-Out Duel Feeders listed in the gift guide. Check it out, it is the first item in the very first row.



I'll be barking to you later!

Pet & Pet Lovers Gift Guide!

Merlin's Bark Products made Etsy's Pet & Pet Lovers Gift Guide! One of our newly listed elevated/raised cat bowl feeders is right there in the 5th row, 2nd column.



I'll be barking to you later!

Elevated Cat Bowls!

My tailless bunny butt is just shaking with pride over the latest addition to our product line ... the elevated cat bowl feeder! Sure, I'm not a huge fan of cats, but I think that should have cool products just like us pups. I love the color of this elevated feeder too. It reminds me of that old nursery rhyme about the owl and the pussy-cat going to sea in the little pea green boat. Ahyhow, there are a lot more elevated cat feeders heading on their way to our Etsy store. There are also a couple more elevated dog bowl feeders headed that way too. Make sure you check out the shop every so often to see the latest and greatest additions to our products line.

I'll be barking to you later!

Elevated Dog & Cat Bowl Feeder!

Take a gander at our newest elevated feeder! Isn't it just about the cutest thing you have ever seen - well, besides me of course. Now even the tiniest pup will feel larger than life eating out of our beautifully stained elevated feeder. Measuring just 4 1/2" in height, and weighing in at just 2 1/2 pounds, it will be perfect fit for the littlest of critters. Constructed in a Shaker table style, and stained a beautiful dark walnut, the look is completed with two 1-pint stainless steel bowls. I know that the feeder will be great for the tiny pups, but I also think that it would work for kitties too. I tried to ask my neighbor cats (Max and Jacks) if they thought it was a good height for them, but they just ran away from me when I tried to chase after them and ask them what they thought. I guess something must have gotten lost in the dog-to-cat translation. Or maybe I shouldn't have been running at them full-tilt and snarling at the same time.

Anyhow, what do you think? Do you think that a 4 1/2" high feeder is the right size for cats? I am really interested to know what you think. I'll be barking to you later!

What's New!

Some pups on the steet have been asking me about what Merlin's Bark Products been up to lately. And if we have any new and exciting products coming up soon. Well, I am happy to report that we have been busy adding to our elevated dog feeder line of products and we are also working on toy boxes for kitty cats too. Oh, and then there are the pet toy boxes that I have been working on too. Hopefully, I will have a toy box completed and ready to list on Etsy soon. I feel like I should warn you though, the toy boxes are going to be really cute!

Speaking of really cute products, I have come across a lot of cute stuff on Etsy lately. Just look at this adorable hand knitted shaggy brown puppy dog from Barking Dog Design (LOVE the shop name too). It is so darn cute that I just want to snuggle with it! Barking Dog Designs also the sweetest little stuffed baby lamb that I have ever seen. You should check out Barking Dog Design's shop if you are in the mood for something cute and snuggly! And trust me, I know cute and snuggly when I see it. Just look at me!

I'll be barking to you later!