Featured Blogger: Jodi Chick

Posted by Mary Egan on Oct 01, 2013

A toy box with a black and white pattern

This week we feature the blogger Jodi Chick, from the Kolchak Puggle site. On her blog, Jodi takes a backseat to her puggle named Kolchak. Kolchak is described as “a troublemaker and generally, 24 lbs. of pure mischief.” The blog covers many dog-related topics such as dog treat recipes, crafts and dog-friendly home care tips. We asked Jodi some questions and here’s what she had to say!

Can you tell us a little bit about your blog and when you started it?

We adopted Felix in the height of the "Great Dog Food Recall” and every single product in my house was on the recall list. I swore then that I could and would do better for him. I started to study canine nutrition, I got into the kitchen and started making my own dog treats, and became dedicated to giving my dogs (and myself) a healthier, more natural life. I started Kol's Notes in 2011, as a place to share what I was learning.

What is one of your favorite projects you've ever made?

I think my favorite project so far is, hands down, the DIY Designer Toybox (seen in the photo above). Kolchak and Felix have a TON of toys and they were slowly taking over the house, but I just didn't love any of the storage solutions I had found and the few I did love were ridiculously expensive. The project wasn't without its challenges and Ikea threw me a bit of a curve ball when I found the first piece of pre-assembled furniture EVER, but I'm thrilled with the outcome.

Where do you find inspiration for your creative projects?

Inspiration is everywhere! I usually attack projects that fill a need in my life: a storage solution, something to help me organize or re-imagining items that are already really useful, but that don't fit in with my design vision. My goal is to have a pet-friendly home that doesn't look like it's gone to the dogs and most of my projects are to help me achieve that goal.

Which of your craft projects took the longest to finish?

My dog-themed scrapbook is a definite work in progress! I started it with the goal of making one page per month, but life intervened and we moved this summer, so I've fallen way behind. I love that it's a project that may never be truly "finished." Convincing Kolchak to let me "ink" him for my paw prints was also a huge task. It took hours of coaxing and cajoling!

Describe your personal style in 3 words.

My personal style is whimsical, modern and lived-in.

When I'm not crafting, I can be found...

...in the kitchen. One of my first loves is cooking and I spend a ton of time making treats for myself and even more time making treats for my dogs.

If you were to be cast on a reality TV show, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to be on reality TV! A few years back, Martha Stewart hosted a cooking, decorating and crafting competition and I would have loved to be on it. I was too shy and nervous to audition at the time and I've kicked myself for it ever since.

Each week, we feature a CraftFoxes member who is doing great work! Want to be featured right here? Upload your favorite craft projects today. If we choose you as next week’s featured member, we’ll send you a CraftFoxes T-shirt, and we'll link to your blog or handmade shop!