Meet The Organized Horse Team, comprised of local NW talent.  Our team takes pride in creating products just for you.  No two products are exactly alike.

 
Sherry Littlejohn
(Owner and Founder of The Organized Horse)

 Jim Littlejohn (Web / Database / Technical Lead)
Pictured Sherry, Rowe (our Friesian cross baby) and Jim

 Sherry is a Dressage equestrian, competing with her Dutch Warmblood, Zinfandel at 4^th level/PSG and her Friesian/QH Cross mare, Pissarro, who just completed a successful first year of competition at Training level.

 Sherry is married to her best friend, Jim, who is also one of the rare husbands who enjoys the horse lifestyle and horse shows as well as helping with the business, big time!  Together, they have five horses (Arab, Two QH, Dutch and Friesian/QH cross), two dogs (standard schnauzers) and four cats (all rescues). 

 After years as an executive in the corporate world (the advertising industry in Michigan and Paul Allen companies in Seattle), Sherry started The Organized Horse in 2006 with a goal of providing organization and design plans for barn, trailer and show tack rooms.  As part of this process, she evaluated the products available for basic tack room needs such as bridle and saddle racks and, consequently, created her own line of products combining equestrian needs with design and organization for a line of products combing Function, Organization and Art.  She uses wood as her base, available in a variety of finishes, antiqued black is the most popular, and has expanded her line to include boxes, chests, benches, stools, ribbon boards and whip holders as well as the original bridle and saddle racks.   She does many custom designs (It’s Personal) as well as updates customers’ provided pieces (Repurposing).  The designs are equestrian themes and affixed using the decoupage technique.  A line of wallpaper borders provide the majority of designs, used either in the border format or cut apart and put together in various montages.  A variety of hooks, wood appliqués, trim and equestrian themed fabrics are used in her creations. 

 Jim was born and raised in the NW.  He grew up around horses and western riding, for many years involved with local 4H, Pinto and Paint Organizations.  His current equestrian Partner is Joe, a 23 year old Quarter Horse.  They have enjoyed many trail rides together.  Jim is also the Sales Operation Manager for a local manufacturing company.

 Products lines have expanded, as has the team.  All local NW talent, they have enhanced The Organized Horse product line by providing hand-painted art, available on both wood and glass items (Christi Vermiglio), custom wood products (Reef Morales, Verne Mealey), fabric purses in several styles (Marilyn Rank) and hand-made quilts (Marcia Mealey).  Meet them….

 Reef Morales Jr. (Wood Work)

 Reef is our primary custom wood-worker, producing many beautiful pieces designed by Sherry and exclusive to The Organized Horse.  He also creates custom pieces at our clients’ direction.

About Reef….Woodworking has been a hobby since high school. My work has includes projects from indoor furnishings to lawn & garden projects as well all of the cabinetry when we built our new house.  My previous employment duties consisted of designing precision equipment and I believe the creativity and attention to detail transition into woodworking, whether it's a pen, bowl, table or bookcase. I recently read the following quote; “Quality is when the customer comes back, not the product” and I apply that philosophy to the work I do.  This year Reef has made several custom tables for our TOH clients, as well as a cabinet, a special desk chair and provides most of our unfinished wood products, from the routed boards to chests, benches, storage stools and totes. 

Verne Mealey (Wood Products) / Marcia Mealey (Quilts)

Verne and Marcia have been married many years and have enjoyed the horse lifestyle as well as traveling with their little dog, Emily.  Verne contributes to The Organized Horse with his fine wood boxes, one of our most popular items, as well as Kleenex boxes and storage totes.  Marcia produces our wonderful quilts.  She uses beautiful equestrian fabric, some of which can be coordinated with other products such as pillows, chair stools, etc.  These are hand-made, one-of-kind pieces of art.  Entire rooms have been decorated around her quilts.

Marilyn Rank (Handcrafted Totes & Handbags) 

 Marilyn was born in beautiful Coeur d’Alene , Idaho , and now resides with her husband in Redmond , Washington .  Raised in an artistic and musical family, it seemed only natural for her to gravitate toward a career in art.  Not only is she an accomplished seamstress, but a self taught artist who enjoys watercolor, toll painting, and photography.  Most days you’ll find Marilyn in her studio fulfilling her passion for designing totes and handbags.  Merging art and fashion, you’ll find timeless toiles, classic florals, retro and vintage-inspired handbags that are a joy to give.  Paying close attention to the smallest of detail, each bag is lovingly crafted one at a time with premium fabrics and materials taking hours to complete.  All bags are fully lined and reinforced with heavy interfacing.  The bottoms are also reinforced for extra stability.  Most bags are created in limited editions, and frequently are one of a kind.  They are meant to be used and enjoyed, and are a result of Marilyn’s passion for design of crafts.

 The purses carried by The Organized Horse are all with equestrian themed fabrics.  As a team, we do a great job of recycling and using every scrap of fabric.  Sherry purchases large quantities of fabrics, which are used for various products, as well as Marcia’s quilts and Marilyn’s purses.  Marilyn does amazing things with scraps!  We have several great options:  A lovely, large tote with multiple boxes and wonderful detail, an equipment bag / purse that will fit an I-Pad, a useful make-up / jewelry back and a clever cell phone / credit card pouch.  Look for her products under “Purses”. 

Christi Vermiglio (Artist)

A graduate of the University of Michigan Christi spent over 15 yr’s working on OBD validation using in-flight data recording and analysis for the automotive industries. Throughout that time horses & painting remained her consistent passions. Then an unexpected relocation to the PNW made it possible for her to jump full time into both.

Now a student & member of the Pacific Northwest Art School , she is an avid dressage student & is working consistently in her home studio to create unique, beautiful animal portraiture. Her inspiration comes from a long history with, and love for, all things horse. The pure joy dogs so easily show us and, of course, her clients. Their amazing stories and love for each of these special animals is always inspiring.

Christi now resides on a small 5 acre farm in the beautiful area of Bow, WA. She shares this little farm with Husband ‘Ezio‘, Horses ‘Ben’ and ‘Holly’, dog ‘Cocoa’ and cats.

Christi has recently taken on a full-time job, so her contributions to The Organized Horse will be limited in the near future.  Some of her painted glassware and Welcome Signs are available on the web site.