Author Archives: customboots

I’m tired and don’t want to lay soles today, but when I prepare soles the day before and they’re ready, I don’t really have a choice. I’ve put the soles on three boots and this is the final one!

I spent a peaceful afternoon inseaming boots. Many boot makers won’t go home until they complete a pair, and I only did a pair and a half, but I figure that second boot will still be here tomorrow!

Hahaha! If you’ve heard the story of how I became a boot maker, you know that Jay Griffith–the first boot maker I worked for–was a grumpy old alcoholic who used to scream and cuss at his employees, which terrified me. … Continue reading →

Cowboy boot toes: The trick is making them match.

For those of you who were paying attention, there was no “It’s a Boot Life” video for November or December. Sometimes I have too much to do and cloning myself hasn’t worked out yet. For my January video I demonstrate … Continue reading →

I have a lovely trio of boots to keep me company in the shop today.

Remember the insole picture I posted this morning? Now that insole is hidden inside these boots, providing a solid foundation but probably never seen again.

You can’t see the insole of a boot unless you peek down inside, but the cut of the insole can give your boots pleasing curves or bestow all of the grace and shape of a potato. The bottom insole has … Continue reading →

This is what being incredibly wealthy looks like to a boot maker. A friend heard about the broken piece on my American Straight Needle and sent me FOUR replacements!