It all began with some glass

I’ve always been an artist and a maker. From a young kid painting in my mom’s ceramic studio to painting, scrapbooking, art journaling, and more as an adult, art and creating has always been an important part of my life.

In 2016, I started selling a few pieces of decorative glass and holiday ornaments on Facebook and at local craft fairs as a means of bringing in a little extra money that I could use to splurge on some new art supplies. I chose the name Brown Dog for my business as a memorial to a well loved chocolate lab, Lady Venus, who had graced my life for 14 years. As my business grew, I started exploring and learning about different techniques and equipment that would allow me to expand the range of giftables I wanted to create. I invested in my first engraving machine and sublimation set up and learned how I could use these tools to create unique pieces using my original artwork. In 2022, serendipity stepped in and allowed me to leave a 33-year career in public safety and make my dream of running Brown Dog full-time a reality. It was scary, and exhilarating, to take that leap of faith, but boy o boy, has it been a great ride so far!

Today I have a warm and cozy workshop located at 13 Birds Way, in North Waterboro. It is an inviting, creative space to work, and meet with customers who want to bring wares in to be engraved or plan out wonderful treasures to be gifted. I’ve had the pleasure of designing and making giftables that have found their way to new homeowners, and glassware that has sat on wedding tables as new couples begin their lives together. I’ve created plaques for employees celebrating milestone anniversaries, career accomplishments and helped to memorialize lost loved ones on memorial plates. I’ve also had the pleasure of creating and shipping thousands of pieces of drinkware to more than 250 gift shops across the country themed to celebrate local flavor. My first engraver has since been retired and it it’s place are 3 commercial laser engravers, a rotary engraver, sand-carving station, and full sublimation set up. I’m lucky to have help from my family when needed but I still have my hands on every piece that leaves the shop be it in the design, artwork, painting, or engraving. I thoroughly enjoy the creative process involved with each project, love working with customers to pick just the right gift, and the joy of creating unique, personalized and meaningful pieces.

From Brown Dog’s humble beginnings as a hobby business to a full-time engraving and gift shop, Brown Dog Originals Engraving and Gifts, LLC’s #1 priority is to help you be the reason someone smiles today!