We love supporting small businesses doing pawsome things for pets in the Duchy. Recently Woody and I met Jenny, the creative behind Mable and Merryn. She handcrafts her leads from her home in Stithians, splicing hemp into rope and customising it with coloured whipping.
I love minimalist design when it comes to pet accessories and when I discovered Mable and Merryn, it was love at first sight! Woody and I spend as much time as possible at the beach, so nautical designs are always a hit. I love how simple yet functional the leads are and we always receive compliments about them when we’re out on our walks.
The leads are made from 100% hemp, finished with locally sourced brass hardware. Hemp is more sustainable to grow compared to other natural fibres, as it uses less water and doesn’t require pesticides to thrive. Mable and Merryn leads are available in a range of thicknesses and lengths depending on the breed of your dog.
Jenny creates different styles of lead too. From traditional clip leads to slip leads and even longer ones for horses. I’d never tried a slip lead before but had heard a lot about them and wanted to give one a try. Jenny sent Woody and I one slip and one clip lead, both with natural coloured whipping. I took to the slip lead instantly and we’ve been using it constantly ever since. I still pack our clip lead in my walking bag, in case of emergencies or if we bump into a lost dog on our walk. Millie also uses the clip lead when she’s down for her holidays and I just love it when they coordinate!
Woody’s old lead was a similar rope style but made out of nylon and other artificial fibres. At first our Mable and Merryn lead felt quite rough in my hand, something I wasn’t expecting. However the more I used it, the softer and floppier the hemp became. It’s like breaking in a pair of new walking boots.
We love spending time outdoors, getting soggy and muddy whenever we can! Initially I was worried our new leads would get dirty quickly but luckily so far they’ve been easy to maintain and haven’t stained, result! Mable and Merryn send a thoughtful note with every order. It details how to properly care for and look after your new lead, which is super helpful.
Mable and Merryn leads are available to purchase through their Etsy shop. We also asked Jenny to make us a bespoke collar using a similar design and are overjoyed by the result! We save the collar for special occasions and days out, as it can get a little stiff when soaked.
I’m so grateful for discovering Mable and Merryn and love our new leads. I’m passionate about supporting small businesses wherever I can. Jenny goes above and beyond to create functional, stylish and sustainable accessories that stand the test of time. We’d highly recommend!
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*Mable and Merryn kindly sent us two leads and a collar to try. All thoughts and opinions are our own. We love the work Jenny is doing and would highly recommend her accessories!