Every brand has a beginning. Mine began with a Golden Retriever named Bella.
Today, Calperi creates handcrafted gemstone jewelry and designer accessories for dogs and cats, celebrating the unique personalities of our beloved companions. But before there was a brand, there was a remarkable dog who changed the way I saw animals, beauty, and the bond we share with our pets.
I Wasn’t Always a Dog Person
People are often surprised when I tell them that I was afraid of dogs as a child.
Ironically, dogs never seemed to share that fear. Wherever I went—whether it was a neighborhood park, a friend’s house, or simply walking down the street—dogs would often run toward me with excitement, wagging their tails as though we had known each other forever. Friends would laugh that dogs seemed to choose me.
Although I gradually realized I could probably become a good pet owner, I never imagined adopting a dog of my own.
That changed in 2016.
The Dog Who Dreamed of Being a Fashion Model
One day, while browsing Facebook, I came across a post about a young Golden Retriever named Bella.
Her family was facing the difficult reality of a divorce and, with heavy hearts, needed to find her a new home.
Many adoption stories are heartbreaking, but Bella’s story contained one detail I have never forgotten.
Her owner said she hoped Bella would find a family that truly understood one of her greatest joys—dressing up.
She wasn’t joking.
Bella had her own collection of scarves, outfits, necklaces, and accessories. According to her family, she genuinely seemed to enjoy wearing them and happily posed for photographs as if she knew she looked beautiful.
At first, I smiled.
“A dog who wants to be a fashion model?” It sounded almost unbelievable.
But then something unexpected happened.
Over the following weeks, Bella appeared in my dreams several times.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Eventually, I realized that Bella hadn’t simply caught my attention—she had awakened something that had quietly lived inside me for many years.
A Childhood Surrounded by Beauty
Long before Bella entered my life, beauty had already become part of who I was.
My father worked with artisan products, traveling to antique markets and craft fairs to source jewelry, decorative objects, jade carvings, and handmade treasures. From the time I was old enough to walk beside him, I accompanied him on these trips.
While other children visited toy stores, I wandered through markets filled with gemstones, antique ornaments, carved pendants, delicate bracelets, and handcrafted works of art.
At home, I watched my mother wear a remarkable color-changing gemstone ring that fascinated friends and family for decades. I learned to appreciate the subtle differences between jade, natural gemstones, metals, wood, silk, and handcrafted details.
Without realizing it, those experiences shaped my eye for design.
More importantly, they taught me that beautiful objects are never simply decorative—they tell stories, preserve memories, and express love.
When Two Worlds Became One
For many years, I didn’t realize that two passions had been quietly growing inside me.
One was my lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship and beautiful design.
The other was my deep affection for animals.
Bella brought those two worlds together.
As I prepared to welcome her into my life, one thought kept returning to me.
If we believe the people we love deserve beautiful things, why shouldn’t our pets?
Dogs and cats are no longer “just animals.”
They are family.
They celebrate our happiest moments, comfort us through our hardest days, and ask for nothing more than our love in return.
Why shouldn’t they wear something created with the same care and artistry that we choose for ourselves?
That simple question became the foundation of Calperi.
Bella Loved the Spotlight
After Bella joined my family, every walk became a little fashion show.
Some days she wore a silk scarf.
Other days she wore a pearl necklace or a gemstone accessory.
Before heading outside, Bella often paused in front of the hallway mirror, seemingly admiring her reflection. Whether she truly understood fashion or simply enjoyed the extra attention, she appeared delighted by the ritual.
Once we stepped outside, something magical happened.
People smiled.
Children asked if they could pet her.
Strangers stopped to compliment her necklace.
Conversations began.
Bella seemed to carry herself differently too, walking with calm confidence as if she knew she looked special.
She brought joy wherever she went.
Watching people’s reactions, I realized that beautifully designed accessories do more than decorate a pet—they create moments of happiness and connection between people.
Creating Jewelry That Celebrates Every Pet
Starting a new career in my forties wasn’t easy.
Building a brand from the ground up required countless hours of learning, designing, testing, and refining.
But every necklace I created reminded me why I had started.
Today, I design for dogs and cats of all breeds, sizes, and personalities—not just Golden Retrievers.
Every collection begins by considering the individuality of the pet who will wear it.
I study coat colors, proportions, comfort, and movement to ensure each design feels as beautiful as it looks.
I also continue exploring new materials and techniques, combining natural gemstones, jade, pearls, silk, metals, wood, hand-knotting, wire wrapping, and traditional craftsmanship to create jewelry that is both elegant and practical.
Whether it’s the calming beauty of Sugilite, the vibrant charm of Turquoise, the warmth of Rhodochrosite, or the timeless elegance of Mother of Pearl, every gemstone is chosen with intention.
No two pets are alike.
Their jewelry shouldn’t be either.
More Than Jewelry—A Shared Story
One of the greatest joys of creating Calperi has been seeing pet parents choose matching jewelry for themselves and their beloved companions.
A bracelet that echoes a dog’s necklace.
A pendant inspired by a cat’s gemstone collar.
These coordinated pieces are more than accessories—they become symbols of companionship and shared memories.
Because the bond between pets and their humans deserves to be celebrated beautifully.
Bella’s Legacy Lives On
Bella is no longer with me.
Losing her was one of the hardest experiences of my life.
But every time I sit down to sketch a new design, choose a gemstone, or finish handcrafting a necklace, I think of her.
I remember the happiness she brought to complete strangers.
I remember the confidence she seemed to feel when wearing something beautiful.
Most of all, I remember how she helped me discover my purpose.
Calperi exists because of Bella.
Every necklace, every scarf, every gemstone, and every handcrafted detail carries a little piece of the lesson she taught me—that beauty is not about vanity.
It is about celebrating love.
My hope is that every piece we create helps another family celebrate the extraordinary bond they share with their own dog or cat, creating memories that will be treasured long after the walks, the adventures, and the quiet moments together have become precious stories of their own.
Looking back, choosing Bella wasn’t simply the beginning of a business.
It was the beginning of my life’s mission.
And I wouldn’t change that for anything.