I’m tired

I haven’t posted in a while because I have so much to do to get ready for the Art of the Cowgirl show in Queen Creek, Arizona. Typically when I go to a show it’s either an Art/Craft show where I’m displaying boots, a supply/trade show where I’m selling leather and tools, or it’s an event where I’m teaching. I’ll be doing all three in Arizona, which means three times the preparation and three times the volume of stuff to take. We leave Saturday morning and I am absolutely exhausted and overwhelmed right now.
I’ll be teaching a leather inlay overlay class; I forgot I told them we’d be making a pillow so I told all of you we were making Field Notes books, but hey, I can pivot back to pillows. To do that though, I needed to make a pillow for display so my students can see what they’ll be making. Tomorrow I’ll finish it but in the meantime, here’s my pillow front. This one is just what I chose to do. I’m not suggesting designs for this project — each student will (with my help) design their own.

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Soles

I laid, stitched, and pegged three pairs of cowboy boot soles this week.

Also, this update makes me think of my daughter Paige, who asked me once in a shocked and tentative tone if I knew there were words in boot making that meant *other things.*

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Today’s bracelet project:

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Soles

Baker Leather* soles are so pretty. Here the soles are still wet and have just been laid onto the boots and trimmed to a nice curve in the shank area. Next I’ll stitch the soles and then peg them in the shank and heel area.

*J&FJ Baker is a small tannery in England that produces the most wonderful sole and insole leather. I’m their US rep so I guess it’s my job to promote them, but I always tell people that when I rave about Baker leather I’m speaking as a boot maker and not a salesman. Quality materials bring joy and beauty to your work.

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Birdies

I’m still making bracelets and yesterday I was feeling whimsical.

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Art of the Cowgirl

I was selected as the 2023 Master for the Art of the Cowgirl organization. I’ll be attending their show in January in Cave Creek, Arizona, where I’ll have a booth, speak on a panel, and teach a two day leather inlay/overlay class. The project for this class will be a little Field Notes cover (can also serve as a passport holder). Here are some of the design choices the students will have for their cover.

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Old and out-of-shape

After inseaming three pairs of boots/shoes my arms and hands are saying, “Excuse me ma’am, I thought we were riding a desk now.”

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Vegetables are served

This photo shows leather inlay/overlay without any stitching.
Comparison showing the difference between stitched and unstitched
Can you see the life and movement that stitching adds to leather inlay/overlay?
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Show of hands

Raise your hand if you think this pile of oddly-shaped leather bits will become beautifully inlaid vegetables.

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Artist secret

My process, whenever a client requests something new or difficult:

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