Some Days I Make Things. Some Days I Just Dream Them Up.

An honest little note from behind Dolly & Co.

There's something I've wanted to share for a little while.

When you run a small business, there's often this feeling that you should always be doing something.

Launching collections. Making new products. Posting every day. Keeping up with trends. Having everything planned weeks in advance.

But the truth is, that's not how Dolly & Co works.

Because behind Dolly & Co, there's just me and Dolly 🐾

I live with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), fibromyalgia and hip dysplasia. I also struggle with pain and difficulties using my hands, which can make even the things I love creating harder than they look. My energy and pain levels can change from one day to the next.

Some mornings I wake up with a head full of ideas and can't wait to get into my little studio.

Other mornings, even the simplest things can feel like a mountain.

And that's part of why Dolly & Co means so much to me.

I wanted to build something I loved. Something that gave me a purpose, but also something that could fit around my health rather than constantly fighting against it.

So you probably won't see perfectly timed monthly collections or huge launches every few weeks.

Instead, you might pop onto the website one Tuesday afternoon and find a brand-new bow.

Or a new collar colour.

Or a little gift that wasn't there yesterday.

And the reason might be as simple as I had a good day, I had the energy, and I made something.

Sometimes an idea sits in my head for weeks before my body lets me bring it to life. Even on days when I feel creative, my hips or hands might have other ideas, and I have to stop and rest.

Sometimes I make three things in one afternoon.

And sometimes I don't make anything at all.

I'm learning that all of those days are okay.

I don't want Dolly & Co to become another thing that makes me feel like I'm falling behind.

I want it to be something that makes me happy.

Something that lets me be creative, work at my own pace and still feel proud of what I'm building.

I've recently been giving the website a fresh new look. Not because I wanted it to look like a big business, but because I wanted it to feel more like me.

A little warmer. A little more personal. Somewhere you can have a browse, discover something lovely and get to know the story behind it all.

Dolly & Co might grow a little differently from other businesses. But it's growing in a way that works for me.

A Zebra Behind Dolly & Co

If you know anything about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, you might have heard us called zebras.

The zebra is a symbol of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a reminder that not every condition is immediately obvious or easily understood.

I might be sitting in my studio making a dog collar or having a lovely creative afternoon, but that doesn't mean I'm not dealing with pain, fatigue or hands that sometimes refuse to cooperate.

Some days I can make things. Other days I can only think about making them.

And that's why this little business means so much to me. It gives me the freedom to be creative without pretending every day is a good day.

A Quiet Message ♡

While creating this little home for Dolly & Co, I've also made space for something close to my heart.

It's called A Quiet Message.

Living with invisible illnesses has taught me that you never really know what someone else is going through.

Someone might look perfectly fine on the outside while quietly dealing with pain, exhaustion, worries or simply having a difficult day.

And sometimes, you don't need advice or someone telling you to stay positive.

Sometimes, you just need somewhere to put your thoughts.

So I wanted to create a little corner of my website where you can do exactly that.

You don't have to be a customer. You don't have to buy anything. And you certainly don't have to pretend everything is okay.

Whether you're having a difficult day, living with something nobody can see, or just need to get something off your chest, you're welcome to leave a little message.

I might not always have the answers, but I understand that some days are harder than others.

A Quiet Message ♡ — Leave a little note

 

One little thing at a time

There will be busy days, quiet days, new ideas, unexpected little product drops and probably a few things that take longer than I'd planned.

But every little thing you see here has come from somewhere very real.

A good day. A little burst of energy. An idea I couldn't stop thinking about.

And always, a whole lot of love for dogs.

I don't want to spend my time chasing what every other business is doing.

I want to enjoy creating, celebrate the little things and remember why I started.

So if something new suddenly appears on the website without a big announcement, you'll know why.

I've probably just had a good day in my little studio.

And that's exactly how I want Dolly & Co to be.

Thank you for being here, whether you've supported my little business from the beginning or you've only just discovered us.

One good day, one little creation, one step at a time.

With love,

The human behind Dolly & Co 🤍🐾

Louisa