Finally, Corgi Jewelry You’ll Actually Want to Wear: The Story of How This Collection Began
- Alex Reynolds
- Sep 8
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 21
From Parade to Pendant: Designing a Corgi Jewelry Collection Worth Wagging About
If you’re a corgi lover, you’ve probably gone shopping for corgi-themed jewelry and felt completely let down by what you’ve found. Most of it is cheap, clunky, or cartoonish—nothing like the stylish, meaningful pieces you’d be proud to wear every day.
I’ve heard this same frustration echoed again and again from women who adore their dogs. You’ve told me you want jewelry that celebrates your love for corgis while still looking elegant and timeless. You want pieces that turn heads and make your friends, family, and coworkers just a little jealous when they see them.
That’s exactly why I started designing my own corgi jewelry collection. This isn’t just jewelry with a paw slapped on it. These are thoughtfully crafted designs for people who truly nerd out about corgis—the kind of fans who light up when they talk about their pups and don’t notice the blank stares from everyone else in the room until it’s too late. If that sounds like you, welcome. You’ve found your people, and this collection is for you.
Table of Contents
Why Corgis?
After sharing those first sketches in the video above, you might be wondering—why corgis? Out of all the dog breeds in the world, what made me choose these short, fluffy bundles of personality as the focus for an entire jewelry collection?
The answer comes from countless conversations I’ve had with women who are deeply passionate about their dogs. Again and again, I kept hearing the same frustration: beautiful, high-quality dog jewelry simply doesn’t exist. Most of what’s out there is generic, or so cartoonish it doesn’t fit their personal style.
The tipping point came during a conversation with my friend Monique from Silver Paw Studio. She didn’t just suggest the idea of dog-themed jewelry—she all but insisted. That was the moment I realized it was time to stop putting this idea off and start creating something truly special for dog lovers who’ve been waiting for it.
But why corgis specifically? There were a few nudges from the universe. My friend Hana mentioned she wanted to show my designs to a mutual friend, Abby Simpson, who I used to work with years ago. Abby is a huge corgi enthusiast, and while I don’t remember every detail of our past conversations—and had frankly forgotten about them over the years—Hana reminded me of Abby’s love for the breed. That memory stuck with me in the back of my mind and became part of what inspired me to focus on corgis. It was one of those small, quiet moments of inspiration that planted a seed and never quite let go.
And then there’s the Tour de Corgi, a local Fort Collins event that celebrates all things corgi. Back when I worked at Darvier Jewelry Design Studio, the annual parade would march right past our front door. Every year, my coworkers and I would drop what we were doing, rush outside, and watch a river of corgis in costumes strut by. It was hilarious, adorable, and unforgettable—and it showed me just how passionate the corgi community truly is.
There was also a layer of inspiration that came from my love of anime. I didn’t grow up watching it, but during undergrad, my roommate Pete L’Orange introduced me to a few movies and series that completely changed how I saw the genre. Anime like Spirited Away and Ghost in the Shell showed me just how deep, emotional, and beautifully crafted anime could be. Somewhere along the way, Pete also introduced me to Cowboy Bebop—and that’s when I first met Ein, the brilliant, genetically enhanced “data dog” who happens to be… a corgi.
It’s funny how certain images stay with you. Over the years, Ein’s mix of intelligence and quirky charm stuck in the back of my mind. So when it came time to choose a breed to launch this collection, corgis felt like the perfect fit—full of personality, beloved by passionate fans, and carrying a touch of nostalgia for those of us who’ve crossed paths with them before, even if it was through a glowing TV screen.
The Oops That Launched Tour de Corgi
When I first started sketching this collection, I thought about all the moments that made me fall in love with corgis—and one of the biggest was right here in Fort Collins: the Tour de Corgi.
Back when I worked at Darvier Jewelry Design Studio, the parade would march right past our front door every year. Without fail, my coworkers and I would stop whatever we were doing, rush outside, and watch a stream of corgis in elaborate costumes strut down the street. It was pure joy—equal parts hilarious and heart-melting—and it showed me just how passionate the corgi community truly is.
Later, I had the chance to meet Malini, one of the co-creators of Tour de Corgi, and she shared the hilarious origin story of how it all began. It turns out the event wasn’t supposed to be a parade at all. A group of friends who had adopted corgis from the same litter planned a small birthday party for their dogs at a local park. To keep things organized, someone created a Facebook event… and forgot to make it private.
Instead of a cozy get-together for five or ten friends, around a thousand people showed up—completely by accident. The park was suddenly overflowing with corgis and their humans, and what could have been a total disaster turned into an unforgettable celebration. That happy accident was the very first Tour de Corgi, and it’s been growing ever since.
Today, people travel from all over the country to participate, bringing their corgis (and some incredibly creative costumes) to Fort Collins. It’s become a beloved annual tradition and a symbol of just how strong and enthusiastic the corgi-loving community can be.
This year, I’m racing to bring as much of my jewelry collection to life as I can before the event. There’s something deeply inspiring about debuting these designs at the very place that helped spark their creation—surrounded by a community that loves corgis so much.
Behind the Scenes: From Sketch to Statement Piece
Creating a jewelry collection isn’t just about making something pretty—it’s about capturing a story in metal and stone. My passion has always been taking what other people love most and turning it into designs they can wear proudly for a lifetime. This corgi collection is no different.
The first pieces in the line are a pendant and matching earrings, which you can see taking shape in the video above. In this early stage, my focus is on exploring form and character through sketching. I start on my iPad, drawing and refining until every detail feels right—from the breed-accurate upright ears (a must for serious corgi lovers) to the graceful curves that give the jewelry a timeless, wearable elegance.
Once the sketches are finalized, I bring the designs into 3D using CAD modeling. This stage is where the technical artistry comes in. I build precise digital models that allow me to 3D print waxes, which are then cast in metal and expertly finished by skilled jewelers I collaborate with. This process ensures each piece is both beautiful and durable, ready to become a lasting part of someone’s personal story.
The rings for this collection are still in development and will be revealed later. For now, I’m focused on perfecting these first designs so they can make their debut at the next Tour de Corgi event here in Fort Collins—a full-circle moment, considering how much this celebration inspired the project in the first place.
And this is only the beginning of the journey. The next blog post will take you behind the scenes of the 3D modeling process, showing how the sketches you’ve seen here are transformed into precise digital designs ready for production. It’s a fascinating stage where art meets technology—and I can’t wait to share it with you.
📩 Don’t miss the next chapter! Scroll down to the footer of this page—to sign up for updates. You’ll be the first to know when new blog posts go live and get a front-row seat to the creation of this corgi jewelry collection.
Join the Pack
This collection started with a simple idea: to create elegant, meaningful jewelry for people whose love for corgis deserves to be celebrated in style. While the inspiration comes from passionate corgi enthusiasts, my role is to bring that passion to life through design—crafting pieces that tell your story and stand the test of time.
The journey is just getting started, and there’s so much more to come. By following along, you’ll see every stage of this process, from the first sketches to the final pieces ready to wear. Whether you’ve been with me from the very beginning or you’re just discovering Charming Quail today, I’m thrilled to have you here.
🐾 Want to be part of the adventure?
Subscribe using the form below or in the footer to get updates on future blog posts and behind-the-scenes stories.
Follow along on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook to see new videos and sneak peeks as they’re released.
Check out the Tour de Corgi site to experience the event that helped inspire this collection.
Together, we can celebrate the corgi community, honor its incredible fans, and create timeless pieces of jewelry that capture the joy these little dogs bring into the world.
Have questions about the collection or what’s coming next? Check out the FAQ below!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: When will the corgi jewelry collection be available for purchase? Right now, what you’re seeing are early sketches and the first stages of development. My goal is to debut the initial pieces—a pendant and matching earrings—at the next Tour de Corgi event in Fort Collins. Once the designs are finalized and production is underway, I’ll share updates through future blog posts, videos, and my email updates. If you want to be the first to know when the collection launches, subscribe using the form below or in the footer of this page.
Q: What pieces will be part of the collection? The first release will include a pendant and earrings, designed to be worn together or separately. Rings are also in development and will be revealed in a future blog post as the collection grows.
Q: Are these pieces durable enough for everyday wear? Yes! I design every piece with longevity and quality in mind. These aren’t lightweight, disposable pieces—they’re meant to last a lifetime. The materials and construction techniques are carefully chosen so you can enjoy your jewelry for years to come, whether you wear it every day or reserve it for special occasions.
Q: Are these handmade? Each design begins with my sketches and 3D CAD modeling, which I use to create precise 3D-printed waxes. From there, I work with skilled jewelers who cast the pieces in metal and set the stones. While each piece is crafted with care by experienced professionals, my focus is on quality and precision, not labeling the work as “handmade.”
Q: How can I follow along with the collection’s progress? The best way to stay updated is to subscribe to the blog using the form in the footer of this page. You’ll get behind-the-scenes updates, early previews, and notifications when new videos or blog posts go live.
You can also follow me on social media—my handle is @charmingquail everywhere you connect online.
YouTube, Facebook & Instagram: My primary focus, where I share full-length videos, behind-the-scenes clips, and in-progress designs.
LinkedIn, Bluesky, TikTok & Pinterest: Additional platforms where you’ll find updates, sneak peeks, and other fun content.
Wherever you like to scroll, search for @charmingquail and you’ll find me bringing this collection—and many more—to life.
Q: Where can I learn more about the Tour de Corgi? If you’ve never experienced the magic of Tour de Corgi, you need to see it for yourself! Visit tourdecorgi.org to learn about the event, register to attend, or simply enjoy the incredible photos and stories from past parades.
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