Handmade Accessories For Your Canine Companions

(from left) Chance, Weenie, Honey and Pepper
PHOTOS FROM FURST LOVE HAWAII

Business majors Joy Lau and Sharisa Shobu have put their degrees to cute use as the creators behind Furst Love Hawaii. The dog accessory company only is about a year old, but already has garnered a following of loyal patrons.

“We wanted to have accessories that fit our dogs,” explains Lau. She and Shobu are proud puppy parents of dachshunds.

Due to their dogs’ body types, Lau and Shobu had difficulty finding clothing and accessories that fit them properly.

“We decided to do something that we could make that was elastic fitting,” Lau says. “That way, it would fit a variety of dogs.

“Our dogs don’t mind it at all. For a lot of dogs it doesn’t bother them.”

Furst Love’s accessories fit around the neck, much like a collar, and feature bow ties and flowers.

The duo drafts and sews each piece and travels to Japan and California each year (sometimes more than once) to search for new patterns. Local vendors also supply the crafters with local-style patterns.

“We do it when our dogs are playing,” says Lau. “We just sew together.”

The duo also does custom orders as festive favors or accessories for birthdays, weddings and parties.

“Either customers have a color or theme, or they have a specific flower (they want),” says Lau. “Some of them just have specific patterns.”

Whatever the combination, Furst Love makes it happen — in the most adorable way.

Joy Lau (left) with Weenie and Chance; and Sharisa Shobu with Honey and Pepper

Normal sizes range from small (8 inches in diameter), medium (11 inches) and large (14 inches), however, custom orders also have been made for pups with 5-inch necks or even up to 21-inch necks. (Lau and Shobu’s dachshunds wear size medium.)

Email furstlovehawaii@gmail.com to put in a specialized order.

While Furst Love currently is a hobby for Lau and Shobu, their dream is to one day open up their own shop.

“That would be our passion,” adds Lau. “We love all dogs.”

The desire to start Furst Love began when Lau and Shobu met at a Hawaii Wiener Derby event. The Ewa residents became quick friends and started walking their dogs together around the neighborhood.

“We thought of the idea during a car ride,” adds Lau. “We would walk together and talk about what we would want for our own dogs.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT FURSTLOVEHAWAII.COM OR KEEP UP WITH THEM ON INSTAGRAM (@FURSTLOVE-HAWAII). YOU CAN FOLLOW HONEY (@HONEY_THE_DESTROYER), PEPPER (@PEPPER_THE_DAPPLE) AND WEENIE AND CHANCE (@WEENIE_CHANCE) ON INSTAGRAM, AS WELL.

IN4MATION, SOCCER COS. PARTNER FOR NAZAR DROP

Local brand In4mation announced a collaboration with soccer lifestyle blog Kicks to the Pitch and soccer retailer Paradise Soccer Club. The trio will drop Kick and Rip: Soccer, Surf and Aloha by artist Steve Nazar.

According to In4mation, the partnership aims to give a distinct nod to Hawaii’s fast-growing niche soccer culture that combine Nazar’s surfi ng characters modernized with touches of soccer.

The collection includes a limited run of Stance socks, as well as graphic T-shirts, prints, pin sets, patches, stickers, soccer kits and a limited run of skateboards featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Items also will be available at Paradise Soccer Club and In4mation stores statewide, as well as online at shop.in4mants.com and paradisesoccerclub.com starting Feb. 12.

The soccer and surf pop-up shop runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday (Feb. 5) at In4mation’s Nuuanu store, 1154 Nuuanu Ave. Guests can enjoy live music, Jason Markk giveaways and a meet-and-greet with Nazar, best known for his T&C Surf Designs characters.