The Story Behind Attagirl

Hi, I’m Wendy — creator, bead collector, lover of beautiful things, and the hands behind every Attagirl collar.

Attagirl began many years ago with handmade accessories, created simply because I loved making something beautiful with my own hands. During COVID, when life became quieter, that creativity became a source of comfort and healing. It helped me rediscover a part of myself that had been waiting patiently to return.

Then, quite unexpectedly, my little cat Molly inspired a whole new chapter.

One day I found myself asking a simple question…

“If we wear jewellery to celebrate ourselves, why shouldn’t our cats wear jewellery too?”

That thought changed everything.

I didn’t want to create ordinary collars. I wanted to create tiny pieces of jewellery—beautiful, handcrafted designs for cats who are loved, spoiled and treasured as part of the family.

Every Attagirl collar is individually handcrafted in South Africa using carefully selected beads and decorative pieces. Because many of the materials I use are available only in limited quantities, some designs become true one-of-a-kind creations, while others may only ever be recreated in very small numbers. That’s part of what makes each collar so special.

No two creative days are ever quite the same, and every collar carries a little piece of my heart.

Molly, of course, is my chief quality inspector. Every new design is imagined with her in mind, and she reminds me every day that our pets bring joy, comfort and unconditional love into our lives.

Attagirl has always been about creating beautiful things—but today it’s about something even more meaningful.

It’s about celebrating the cats who make our houses feel like home.

Because they’re more than pets.

They’re family.

And every cherished cat deserves a little sparkle.

I named my website Attagirl because it’s a shot of pure encouragement for every girl out there

Molly is my muse, my model, my quality-control manager… and my very best friend.

She’s a rescue, and like many rescues, she carries a past I’ll never fully know. She is very nervous but very sweet and has moments where she reminds me that trust is something earned slowly. I believe she spent much of her early life confined, and freedom — especially the garden — means everything to her now.

She’s also the reason these collars exist.

Molly is my VIC (Very Important Cat). Every collar I make is tested on her first. She patiently tolerates my “quick application technique” (which usually involves her seeing a collar, running away, and me catching up just in time — she’s large, but thankfully not very fast!). She stays still just long enough for me to fit it, then off she goes to live her day while I watch closely to see how it wears, moves, and behaves.

These collars aren’t made despite Molly’s quirks — they’re made because of them. They’re designed for comfort, gentle wear, special moments, and cats who are deeply loved for exactly who they are.

Molly reminds me every day that beauty should never come at the cost of trust — and that even the most independent souls deserve a little sparkle.

Our mission at Attagirl is to design and hand-assemble accessories that bring personality, comfort, and joy into everyday life. We aim to create thoughtful pieces that people can wear, gift, use at home, or share with loved ones — blending creativity with practicality in a way that feels approachable and authentic.

Our vision is to grow Attagirl into a trusted and recognisable accessories brand known for originality, warmth, and thoughtful design. We aspire to continually expand our range with creative, handcrafted pieces that serve real-life moments — from personal expression to comfort, gifting, and celebration.