Sykesville Shop Caters to the Fashion Hounds

Fido now has more options for his wardrobe thanks to one local family business. 

Frog and bunny hats, even chapeaus of fruit bowls and a Christmas star, are some of the headware that the Baker family sells across the United States from their home in Sykesville. 

Julie Baker, 23, and her mother Bernadette, 55, opened the business named after their canine model, Sweethoots, out of a passion for animals and fashion. 

"My mom and I decided to open the shop about a year ago because we both love to craft and we love our dogs, so we decided to combine the two and make dog hats," said Julie Baker, who was taught how to crochet and sew by her mother. 

"My mom, Bernadette, crochets and designs all the hats. I help sew the hats, and take care of the business side of Sweethoots. My mom is the real genius though because she makes our ideas real." 

Through the Sweethoots virtual shop on Etsy.com, a website launched in 2005 where crafters can sell items and reach a large audience for a minimal fee, the mother and daughter duo has sold close to 450 hats ranging in price from $15 to $30 depending on the style. 

During busy months, Sweethoots gets around 50-60 orders for their custom creations. 

The hats take about three weeks to create and ship to customers using measurements to fit the dog, with every hat modeled on their Etsy shop webpage by Bernadette's 3-year-old pug Sweethoots. 

Julie and her mother are grateful that they can use the Etsy site to sell their handmade items and reach a large audience of dog lovers. 

"I don't think we will ever open a store front because Etsy allows us to have the store front without the high cost of renting," Baker said.

"We do plan on signing up for some craft shows at some of the high schools this year in Eldersburg and Sykesville."  

To order a custom made hat or find more information about Sweethoots, visit the store's website through Etsy here.