Our Process

Step One: Select the Piece of Jewelry You’d Like Us to Create

Little Pet Portraits offers the option of a pendant, pin, or cufflinks in 14K or 18K gold. 14K is available in green, rose, yellow, or white gold and 18K is available in green or yellow gold.

Cufflinks are personalized with your choice of the accent gemstones shown below. Choose from colorless diamond or colored sapphire, which we offer in pink, orange, yellow, green, and blue.

Pendants are personalized with choice of bail. A bail is the part of a necklace that attaches a pendant to a chain and can come in several styles:

  • The Soft Round Bezel bail features a 3.8 mm (approximate size) gemstone, available in colorless diamond or sapphire in your choice of color.

  • The Lacryma (a stylized teardrop) bail features a 1.3 mm gemstone, also available in colorless diamond or sapphire in your choice of color.

  • The Star bail exclusively features a 1 mm colorless diamond.

Pendants are offered with a 1.6mm round cable chain of your preferred chain length: We offer 18 inches with a 2 inch extension to 20 inches,  or 22 inches with a 2 inch extension to 24 inches. We are also able to make a custom length of your choosing.

Pendants may also be ordered as standalone pieces without a chain.

Step Two: Find Images of Your Pet and Share Them with Us

The best poses for your pet’s portrait are a three-quarter view (the natural angle between a direct head-on and a full profile) and the head-on view. If possible, choose a photograph taken at eye level with your pet rather than from above or below to capture their truest expression.

For the finest results, we recommend submitting up to three high-quality digital color photographs of your pet. Ideal images are at least 6 x 4 inches at a resolution of 150–300 dpi.

For additional information, see Image Submission Guidelines.

Step Three: Approve the Pencil Sketch

Once we receive your photos, we will schedule a 15-20 minute call with you to discuss which image you feel best represents your pet. During the call, we’ll ask you some clarifying questions about eye and fur color and unique personality traits. From there, Russell will create a pencil sketch that will serve as the foundation for the hand-painted miniature. In five to seven business days we will email the pencil sketch for feedback and approval and schedule another brief phone call if needed.

Step Four: Approve the Painted Miniature

From the approved pencil sketch, Russell will paint your pet’s portrait. We will email that to you in five to ten business days for feedback and final approval. Once you’ve approved your painting, we will set it in the design you’ve selected. We will then photograph the finished piece, beautifully package it, and send it to you.

Step Five: Enjoy Wearing Your Little Pet Portrait

Our favorite part of creating these special pieces is you! We hope you love this bespoke jewel and that it brings you joy for many years to come.

Close-up of six metal rings in different metallic finishes
Line of six colorful, round cut gemstones in silver settings, arranged in a row on a white background.
Line of six colorful, round cut gemstones in silver settings, arranged in a row on a white background.

Metal Options

From left to right: 14K green, 14K rose, 14K yellow, 14K white,18K green, 18K yellow.

Gemstone Options

From left: colorless diamond, medium-dark pink sapphire, orange sapphire, yellow sapphire, green sapphire, blue sapphire.
(Image for color only. Gemstone sizes vary by bail style.)

Three gold necklaces with hand-painted charms of a cat, a dog, and a puppy. The cat pendant is in a circular gold frame with a blue background, and has a small diamond. The dog pendant is in a gold frame with a dark background and a small diamond. The puppy pendant is in a gold frame with a green background and a star-shaped design connecting to the chain.

Bail Options

Soft Round Bezel, Lacryma, Star

Sketches and photographs of a small fluffy dog with light brown fur, one showing the dog with open mouth and tongue out, another with a closed mouth, and a third with the dog sitting indoors on a pink rug looking to the side.
Sketches and photographs of a small fluffy dog with light brown fur, one showing the dog with open mouth and tongue out, another with a closed mouth, and a third with the dog sitting indoors on a pink rug looking to the side.

The Pencil Sketch

Below are sample pencil sketches from our client’s photographs.