Author Archives: customboots

The final step in making a pair of cowboy boots is building and shaping the heels. I breathed a whole lot of leather dust when I was young and invincible. I try not to do that anymore.  The heels are … Continue reading →

I suppose there’s nothing wrong with using a laser cutter if you have one but give me a nice quiet shop and a sharp knife, and I’ll be happily lost in meditation. Four boot tops all stacked neatly on top … Continue reading →

I made these boots in 2005 for a generous customer who allowed me to follow my own vision. I was inspired by a western shirt I saw worn by Marty Stuart, and I entered them into the Boot and Saddlemakers … Continue reading →

Sorry, everyone. I can’t stop posting photos of this top band because I’m obsessed with it. Every addition just makes it more attractive.

The top band for the boots I’m working on now is making me so happy and it’s not even finished. Also, choosing leather colors is fun!

New wingtip idea for a pair of boots that is refusing to be anything other than what it wants to be. I seem to only be following where this pair leads me.

New boot top design sent to client for approval today. Wish me luck. I want to point out that landscape designs on a cowboy boot top introduce a unique problem — there’s no vanishing point, and there cannot be one. … Continue reading →

New design for a client who requested Dogwood and Wake Robin flowers. I keep calling them Woke Robin flowers by mistake. I can only draw a design on the right side of the template; I can’t draw on the left … Continue reading →

Cowboy boots have a rounded shape in the shank area (right in front of the heel) so the first heel layer has to conform and adhere to a shape that’s definitely not flat. If any heel layer is going to … Continue reading →

I laid the soles on these boots and stitched them this afternoon; I had hoped to peg the soles but they’re still too wet. I’ll put the boots in plastic bags overnight because I don’t want the soles to dry … Continue reading →