Okay, so the first question I get a lot is about the name. Rabid Llama? Really?
Yes. And?
The name actually started long before we had any indication of starting a business — back in 2011 we were just starting to make costumes for ourselves for cosplay events and renaissance festivals, and had an idea to sell some extra bits on Etsy. So we made the shop under the name Rabid Llama because….it seemed like a good idea at the time? I think it was Susan’s Deviantart name, which she had chosen while she was in middle or high school because…it was available? Long story short is a big shrug lost to time. But either way, we never ended up putting anything up for sale back then, and the shop sat unused for years.
In mid 2019, now married, we decided to look again at potentially selling some items on Etsy. We had some extra costume pieces, Susan had made us some stunning renaissance festival costumes, and we thought we would give it a try. We saw the shop name from 2011, shrugged and moved on. What did it matter? This wasn’t going to be a serious business anyway. There was potential for a little side hustle, a chance to sell some things as Susan began to delve more seriously into leathercrafting, and we could go from there.
Then came 2020.
The pandemic changed a lot of things for a lot of people. We both started working almost fifty hours a week at our day jobs (grocery stores were one of the few places that never shut down, and only increased in business), and at the same time our “side hustle” started to take off as people turned online for their needs with the shut down of many stores, and the increased push to support small business and home crafters. Somehow, in the craziness and exhaustion we kept producing, kept trying new things, and also sewed a lot of masks.
Near the end of 2020, we got this absolutely crazy idea: What if we actually made this side project into a business? What if we followed our passion and worked really hard and maybe made this work?
So we took a leap of faith. We talked a lot about changing the name of the shop, but at the end of the day, it does reflect who we are. Quirky, sarcastic, fun — and it’s memorable, and will stand out from other leatherworkers. Instead of changing it, we decided to lean into it. So here we are, chomping at the bit and maybe foaming at the mouth a little, but not looking back.
What would you like to learn more about? What would you like to see in terms of process, inspiration, or history? I’d love to hear from you!
- Kelley, Co-Owner of Rabid Llama Creations
Looking to get in touch? E-mail me at kelley@rabidllamacreations.com !