Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

Here’s the link to my “It’s a Boot Life” video for September.

“It’s a Boot Life”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6l12Q0_EfY

I’m glueing in a piece called the ball filler to bring everything up to level. Then I can lace in the steel shank. The best way I’ve found to apply the water-based contact cement is to use a squirt bottle and then spread the glue with the blade brush.

The blade brush doesn’t hold much glue so if you’re dipping glue with it, it takes LOTS of dipping. I don’t have all day so this method works better.

Goal: Inseam both boots by 6pm
Finished: 5:57pm

This morning was all about shaping and finishing the toes on these boots. This afternoon I plan to inseam one pair. I forced myself to make all of my waxed threads yesterday (there was much whining, sighing, and complaining) and that means I’m ready to start inseaming.

I’ve been searching for my missing heel pry tool for days. This morning I came into the shop and found it lying in the middle of my work bench. One of my mentors told me that when you search everywhere for a tool and then find it right out in the open where you already looked, it was taken by an old dead boot maker. They borrow your tools and put them back when you’re not looking.

My day is NOT going as planned so there’s not much progress in the boot shop, but I’m leaving soon for a bluegrass festival weekend. I hope to return inspired and recharged. In the meantime, here’s a picture Paige posted today.

Three pairs of boots are on the lasts now.

I absolutely love the design and colors on these boots. It’s a good thing, since I’m making them for myself.

Today’s theme is feathers.

I’ve finished a new pair of boots. I now introduce: “Sweeter Than The Flowers.”