Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

“Little birdie, little birdie
Won’t you sing to me your song
Got a short time to stay here
And a long time to be gone”

I cut out the shaped holes in the shoe quarters. Next I’ll layer in all those randomly-shaped bits like little colored puzzle pieces and they’ll become bluebirds and feathers.

I’ve been creating patterns for upcoming boots, and it’s one of my favorite things. For one, I truly enjoy patterning. But also, every time I make a pair of boots, there are always things I wish I’d done differently or better. At this stage the tantalizing promise of perfection still exists. Maybe this is the time I’ll make a perfect pair of boots!

I sold a pair of boots with this design today — different flower colors and alligator instead of ostrich. Every time I get to make this particular design it’s like spending time with an old friend whom I love.

A few weeks ago, a museum contacted me about an exhibit. They had a large selection of boot maker’s tools and needed to narrow it down to eight or ten to display in the exhibition. I gave my advice, but then I began thinking about which ten boot making tools I would choose to represent my craft. Here are ten of my most-loved hand tools.

(For the curious, the tools with green tape on them stay on a shared bench. The green tape means LEAVE THIS TOOL ON THE GREEN TAPE BENCH AND DON’T WANDER OFF WITH IT. Have I ever mentioned that I’m a curmudgeon?)

“Sing Me Back Home”

Discussing fitting lasts with my shoemaker friend Martin from Germany

*Getting* the last out of a pair of boots isn’t always a good time, but *having* the last out of a pair of boots is a wonderful feeling.