A hand-made bed for every pet
On Farm Weissbrunn about 20 kilometres from Kamanjab, durable beds for pets are made by hand. Here Stefni de Jager makes these beds in three different sizes from used tyres."I've been doing this for three years, besides my poultry farm. I was looking for something on the internet for my garden when I came across the dog beds made from used tyres.
"I contacted my sons in Windhoek and asked if they liked it and if they would buy something like this for their pets. They immediately encouraged me to start making it. I have a great love for animals and it makes me happy if they can sleep soft and warm."
Stefni gets the used tyres from the farmers in the area or from businesses that no longer use them.
She decorates the tyres in different colours with a spray gun.
"Initially my husband did it for me, but it took a lot of time away from his farming and then he taught me to mix the paint and use the spray gun. Now I do everything myself. The outer tyres are sprayed and then I decorate them by hand.
"I also cut the material for the pillows. I have a woman who helps me sew and stuff the pillows. I'm very creative, but not artistic at all."
Stefni's motivation is her clients' feedback.
"When I get photos where their pets lie in the beds, then I know another dog child is sleeping warm and soft. They lie in a bed that will not perish and each bed is unique. I am also motivated by my husband, Detlef, and my family."
She makes extra large beds from truck tyres, large beds from bakkie tyres, and smaller beds from sedan tyres.
Stefni tries to accommodate her clients as far as possible.
"When people don't find what they're looking for, I try to find it or give other options. I deliver beds all over Namibia and the farthest a bed has ever been delivered to is Lüderitz. Or come and see my beds at Elisenheim's evening market on 31 March."
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