Making Western Gear -- Could I Do it???

EquineJessie · 05-10-2008, 01:32 PM

So, I've been toying with an idea for awhile now and I'm not sure where to go with it or if it's even feasible.

I've done a bit of colt starting and training and through it all, I've come to realize the importance of good, quality gear that's designed right. And lately I've been real interested in working with metal -- started out with jewelry but that's to small and too "foo-foo" to be very satisfying. For some reason, I've gotten this bug under my skin. I REALLY want to learn how to craft bits and spurs.

I've been working with leather too for some time and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to design and make chaps and *****s. Then, possibly rawhide reins and bosals... Also, good, heavy split reins (SOOO hard to find!!!) and maybe other tack. And I definitely want to someday make myself a saddle that fits and doesn't force me into a "wrong" position -- I have yet to ride in a saddle that doesn't do this.

First and foremost though, I would absolutely LOVE to do metal work and make GOOD bits and spurs. And spur straps of course.

But, where to learn? HOw to get started? I can think of nothing that would be more satisfying than crafting good quality gear for the rest of my life but could I support myself? I've been trying to think of a way to make this work for awhile but I keep coming up empty. Any suggestions?

EquineJessie · 05-10-2008, 02:48 PM

I just found a school for making bits and spurs.

http://www.lynescustomcowboyco.com/courses/index.shtml

What do you think? $3000 for four weeks including room and board plus travel expenses.

JCH · 05-10-2008, 03:44 PM

follow your dreams young jedi let the force be with you

18thTomorrow · 05-10-2008, 04:31 PM

hey, someone's gotta do it! If you have the passion and the means to learn, then I say go for it. There's a definite art to creating something with both form and function. We need people who care about quality craftsmanship and I think good work speaks for itself--once you start producing stuff, people will see it, wonder where it came from, and you'll start getting more and more customers.

AllAroundRdr · 05-10-2008, 04:37 PM

Please do it so I can have you make me custom bits

Blistering Winds · 05-10-2008, 05:04 PM

There is a place here in Kansas that does the silver engraving. They call me every few months too......

Blistering Winds · 05-10-2008, 05:05 PM

http://www.grstools.com/training.html

EquineJessie · 05-10-2008, 05:23 PM

Thanks guys! I'll be working all summer and I'm selling my horse so I will have at least part of the funds to get started. At least enough to go to school... I agree that quality work speaks for itself. Pretty much my only concern is marketing what I do. I'm fairly confident that I'd be able to do it and do it well seeing as I have a knack for anything hands on. But, would I have to be at fairgrounds/horse shows/rodeos every weekend?

I've been going over this in my head for a long time and haven't come up with any brilliant answers yet...

JCH · 05-11-2008, 03:24 AM

I would get with lindsayanne who has several web based buisnesses I am sure she could point you in the right direction on marketing your product on the web

Abberlaze · 05-11-2008, 04:41 AM

Have fun!

And the price listed is Canadian...so perhaps with the exchange rate it will actually be cheaper than you've estimated to go!

05-10-2008, 01:32 PM	#1
EquineJessie Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,564 Images: 276	Making Western Gear -- Could I Do it??? So, I've been toying with an idea for awhile now and I'm not sure where to go with it or if it's even feasible. I've done a bit of colt starting and training and through it all, I've come to realize the importance of good, quality gear that's designed right. And lately I've been real interested in working with metal -- started out with jewelry but that's to small and too "foo-foo" to be very satisfying. For some reason, I've gotten this bug under my skin. I REALLY want to learn how to craft bits and spurs. I've been working with leather too for some time and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to design and make chaps and *****s. Then, possibly rawhide reins and bosals... Also, good, heavy split reins (SOOO hard to find!!!) and maybe other tack. And I definitely want to someday make myself a saddle that fits and doesn't force me into a "wrong" position -- I have yet to ride in a saddle that doesn't do this. First and foremost though, I would absolutely LOVE to do metal work and make GOOD bits and spurs. And spur straps of course. But, where to learn? HOw to get started? I can think of nothing that would be more satisfying than crafting good quality gear for the rest of my life but could I support myself? I've been trying to think of a way to make this work for awhile but I keep coming up empty. Any suggestions? __________________ "You girls are just so hard on the men that love you so."

05-10-2008, 02:48 PM	#2
EquineJessie Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,564 Images: 276	I just found a school for making bits and spurs. http://www.lynescustomcowboyco.com/courses/index.shtml What do you think? $3000 for four weeks including room and board plus travel expenses. __________________ "You girls are just so hard on the men that love you so."

05-10-2008, 03:44 PM	#3
JCH Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: upstate ny Posts: 2,044 Images: 126	follow your dreams young jedi let the force be with you __________________ If you honk at me again I'll flick a booger on your windshield

05-10-2008, 04:31 PM	#4
18thTomorrow Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,905 Images: 11	hey, someone's gotta do it! If you have the passion and the means to learn, then I say go for it. There's a definite art to creating something with both form and function. We need people who care about quality craftsmanship and I think good work speaks for itself--once you start producing stuff, people will see it, wonder where it came from, and you'll start getting more and more customers. __________________ *Hunterfield Farm Arabians* home to the fabulous Chanting Jezebelle, her lil buddy Starbucks Macchiatto, AND their new friend Foreverastarr XLA!

05-10-2008, 04:37 PM	#5
AllAroundRdr Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southern CA - The Land of Fires & Shakey Ground Posts: 2,522 Images: 8	Please do it so I can have you make me custom bits __________________ People say riding isn't a sport...Well you see, the 'ball' I play with has a mind of its own. I've been Goosed..and I LIKED it!

05-10-2008, 05:04 PM	#6
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,429 Images: 793 Blog Entries: 16	There is a place here in Kansas that does the silver engraving. They call me every few months too...... __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

05-10-2008, 05:05 PM	#7
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,429 Images: 793 Blog Entries: 16	http://www.grstools.com/training.html __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

05-10-2008, 05:23 PM	#8
EquineJessie Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,564 Images: 276	Thanks guys! I'll be working all summer and I'm selling my horse so I will have at least part of the funds to get started. At least enough to go to school... I agree that quality work speaks for itself. Pretty much my only concern is marketing what I do. I'm fairly confident that I'd be able to do it and do it well seeing as I have a knack for anything hands on. But, would I have to be at fairgrounds/horse shows/rodeos every weekend? I've been going over this in my head for a long time and haven't come up with any brilliant answers yet... __________________ "You girls are just so hard on the men that love you so."

05-11-2008, 03:24 AM	#9
JCH Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: upstate ny Posts: 2,044 Images: 126	I would get with lindsayanne who has several web based buisnesses I am sure she could point you in the right direction on marketing your product on the web __________________ If you honk at me again I'll flick a booger on your windshield

05-11-2008, 04:41 AM	#10
Abberlaze Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: PA Posts: 844 Images: 22	Have fun! And the price listed is Canadian...so perhaps with the exchange rate it will actually be cheaper than you've estimated to go! __________________ Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep It's time to trust my instincts Close my eyes: and leap!

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