Cowboy Boots

Today's eBay Pick

2008-05-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

All's fair in love and eBay.

If you are up for the challenge, go for it! I guarantee you'll bidding against top-notch boot collectors and Hollywood stylists for this pair of vintage cowboy boots.

Five rows of stitching. Ranch-worn and high-fashion... this pair of Dixon from the 50's-'60's are today's definition of uni-sexy.

These are the boots you wear to fashion week anywhere in the world, eliciting the envy of others.

Classic never-ending style.

(Ladies, confirm your calf measurements before bidding.) Good luck!

Click here for ebay auction.

eDirectory of Cowboy Bootmakers

2008-05-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

You�ve read my website and my book. You�ve gotten advice from friends and colleagues. This eDirectory is the next step in your careful cowboy boot research.

This is a directory of all the talented bootmakers featured in my book, Cowboy Boots: The Art & Sole (Universe 2007.) This pricing and delivery information is not available anywhere else online. I spent hours on the phone, calling bootmakers one-by-one, so you don�t have to. (I hope someday to create a directory which includes the nearly 300 bootmakers listed on my Cowboy Boot Web Page.)

Yep. Here's the information you need to be an educated and confident custom cowboy boot buyer.

This downloadable directory includes starting prices, delivery times, years of bootmaking experience, and whether the bootmaker will accept measurements through the mail, or if he/she must measure your feet in-person. You'll get up-to-date bootmaker contact information, and (when available) live web links to each maker's website.

$29 digital, free shipping

Return to products page.

Over the last ten years, I've called hundreds of custom makers looking for information about cowboy boots... I know, it's not always easy to get your calls and questions answered.

This directory will save you a pile of time and trouble. You can...

Quickly narrow your search to custom bootmakers in your price range.
Understand typical delivery times before you make a single call.
Look in my book, or use the web links, to see photos of each maker's work.
Print a copy of the directory and annotate it with your own notes.
Get a jump-start on all your travel plans!

And finally, these are the custom bootmakers included in the directory: Arditti Alligator Accouterments & Handcrafted Footwear � Austin-Hall Boot Company � Back at the Ranch � Big Star Boots � Blucher Custom Boots � Bob McLean Custom Bootmakers � Brian Thomas Boots � C.T. Boot Shop (Carl Chappell) � Capitol Saddlery � Caboots (Champion Attitude Boots) � Coe Custom Boots � Cowboy Boots by George � Cunningham's Lone Star Boots � Custom Boots by Morado � Daly Boots � Dave J. Hutchings' Boots � Devote Bootist (Tlo Lowry) � Dew's Custom Handmade Boots � Duck Menzies Bootmaker � Gina C. Guy � Gjelstein Custom Cowboy Boots � James Leddy Boot Company � Janet Stoddard Custom Boots � Jass Boot Shop (Pablo) � Jim Babchak Bootmaker � Jim Covington Bootmaker � J.P.'s Custom Handmade Boots (Joe Patrickus) � Kimmel Boots � Lariat Gang Boots & Shoes � Liberty Boot Company � Little's Boots � Lonesome Ace Boot Company � Lucchese Boot Company � Luis' Custom Cowboy Bootmaking � Manuel � McGlasson Custom Boots � McGuf?n Custom Boots � Meanwhile... Back at the Ranch (Heather Joy) � Melody's Custom Boots � Olsen-Stelzer Boot Co. � Paul Bond Boot Company � Richard Cook Custom Boots � Riff Raff Leatherworks (Pascal) � Rocketbuster � Schwarz Custom Boots � Slickfork Boots � Sorrell Custom Boots � Spikes Custom Boots � Stallion Boot Company � Stephanie Ferguson Custom Boots � Tex Robin Boots � Texas Traditions / Boots by Lee Miller � Tres Outlaws � Weinkauf Boots & Leatherworks � Wheeler Boot Company � Wild Bill's Custom Boots � William Shanor and Julie Bonney � Young's Custom Boots

Return to products page.

Photograph by Marty Snortum. Cowboy boot made by C.T. Boot Shop (Carl Chappell.) You'll recognize this boot from the cover of my book... now, without the book's cover text you can see all the beautiful stitching.

Twitter

2008-05-04T19:45:00.000-07:00

What am I doing, when I'm not blogging?

Follow me on Twitter. How you receive Twitter updates is up to you. You can check back here at the right-side of this page (look under my photo,) ...or get my updates delivered to your IM, or phone.

Cowboy Boot eBook

2008-03-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

I love looking through Tyler's book, Cowboy Boots...nearly 400 pairs of cowboy boots.

Did you see all those great Dave Little Boots? What's that?!
You say, you can't find them?

And those five pairs made by Joe Patrickus, you mean to tell me you don't know what pages they're on?

Well here you go, the "Missing Index" for Tyler Beard's book, Cowboy Boots. It's my first eBook.

I originally created this index for my personal use. It�s great, an indispensable reference tool for recognizing the individual styles and skills of America�s best known bootmakers. I used this index over and over again while I was writing my cowboy boot book, and now I am sharing it with you.

Tyler�s Cowboy Boots should be on every collector�s shelf. By purchasing this index you�ll get the most out of your book. Here�s why, it's...

Fast. Less time hunting for a famous bootmaker�s work. Don�t miss a single boot!

Accurate. Errors in the book�s captions (First Edition) have been corrected in this index. Six pairs of cowboy boots were labelled with the wrong maker. Do you know which ones?

Easy. A separate index means less page-flipping. And a larger font for more comfortable reading.

Practical. There is a convenient space for note taking. By writing your notes on this index you can keep your book in a fine �collectable� condition.

And finally, your $3.99 purchase supports the work of the Cowboy Boot Web Page. Thank you!

(A link to download the PDF will be sent to the email address you specify. File size: 368 KB)

Vintage Cowboy Boots, Tough Love

2008-03-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know how much you love those great old Acme patterns. They're great. They've got the tiniest bits of colored inlay with those 2 rows of stitching swirling around them. .. factory-made minimalism at its best. They are indeed wonderful.

BUT, let's get couple things straight...

Your feet are too big. Only people like me who are too short to be seen over a deli counter can wear 'em. I can wear vintage Acmes... and you get to order your sandwiches with dignity. That's just the way things are. Don't worry, you are a member of a very big club, so to speak.
It is now 2008. Many of these very cool boots were made a looooong time ago. Don't believe me? I hate to break it to you, but a cowboy boot made in 1945... is now 63 years old. Bargain leather, once worn, now boxed and brittle. And these boots aren't getting any younger.

Save yourself a pile of grief. When you're in Austin, TX go to Heritage Boot. Jerry & Patti Ryan are remaking many of the favorite old patterns in present day sizes.

With lots and lots of boots on the shelves...their stock boots range from the $250 to around $700. (Those old Acmes are costing about the same.)

Heritage Boot also sells custom boots made in the Rio Grande Valley. Prices start at $600 for calfskin and bullhides. Delivery is approximately 8 weeks.

Heritage Boot
Jerry & Patti Ryan, Owners
117 West 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 326-8577
sales@heritageboot.com
www.heritageboot.com

Cowboy Boot Treasure Hunt

2008-03-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

I like Austin, not just for all the chorizo tacos and free wifi ...but because it's a big city that keeps its sense of possibility.

My last trip to Austin was in October. Here are a few photos I took at Uncommon Objects. I go every time I'm in town, even if my suitcase is full.

(You can see more photos of Uncommon Objects here.)

Uncommon Objects
1512 South Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-4000
www.uncommonobjects.com

Cowboy Boots in Austin, Texas

2008-03-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

Some folks are heading off to Austin for South by Southwest and I am green with envy. Yep. All the cool kids are going this year... Maggie Mason, Dwight Yoakam.

If you want to find some hip cowboy boots in between all that music, media, film and fun, then print out this page,"Cowboy Boots in Austin TX", and stick it in your back pocket. No charge.

(Photo taken at Heritage Boot.)

Ice Sculpture (Lewisburg, PA)

2008-02-03T08:32:00.001-08:00

Yeah... I can find a cowboy boot anywhere.

Brrrrrrr.

2008-02-03T07:52:00.001-08:00

Only love for a dear friend could get me to travel to Central Pennsylvania in February. I am in Lewisburg, last night my friend Ann got married. Yippee!

Before I left California, I bought some winter boots from Boot Star. The boots are made by Frye... and yes, they are gold. I think they're hilarious.

Never have gold boots been so practical. They've got neoprene soles and are far more water resistant than the boots I wear at home. Plus they are at least a half size too big so I can insulate my toes with extra insoles and socks. The lower heel helps too. Did I mention they were on sale?. (I think BootStar might be sold out of this color, but I found a few pairs on Amazon.)

P.S. Thumbs up on Boot Star's customer service. Their stock includes Frye, Lucchese Boot Company, Liberty Boot Co., Old Gringo Boots, and Stallion Boots, to name a few. Located on the Sunset Strip and the Las Vegas Strip ...now that's easy to remember, right?

Home soon.

Sorrell Custom Boots (on the Road)

2008-01-27T18:33:00.000-08:00

Like many custom bootmakers, Lisa Sorrell must personally measure your foot before she will take your boot order. Fortunately, she's willing to meet you partway.

Lisa ventures out of Guthrie, Oklahoma twice a year; once each January to the High Noon Show in Phoenix, AZ. and once in September to the Western Design Conference.

This year, I joined Lisa for the show in Phoenix. I signed books and bragged about Lisa's bootmaking. Lisa measured feet and answered many many questions about cowboy boots and bootmaking.

Lisa's boots were a naturally "fit" with all the fine Western art that filled the room. Her cowboy boots are "suitable for framing" as you can see from the photos of her booth, but I can personally attest that they are more fun to wear on your feet.

(For more photos of Lisa Sorrell's boots please visit her website at www.customboots.net)

2008-01-26T17:08:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #14

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #14

High Noon Show (Phoenix, AZ)

2008-01-26T06:42:00.000-08:00

2008-01-25T13:03:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #13

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #13

Howdy Santa!

2007-12-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

2007-12-20T14:43:00.000-08:00

----------

Tyler Beard passed away last night in Dallas, Texas. I was told that he died of complications from his longtime battle with cancer.

Tyler's generosity, friendship and his books changed the lives of many, many people.

Last week, I got a Christmas card from Tyler... with a note scribbled on the back. Right now, I'm having a hard time finding any meaningful words.

I'm sad. I miss him ...I want to call him and tell him so.

Photo courtesy of Back at the Ranch (Santa Fe, NM.)

I Won!

2007-12-09T20:58:00.000-08:00

To:           Jennifer June
Subject:  Congrats on Winning the Dwight Fan Club MySpace Front Page Contest
Date:       December 5, 2007 10:20:31 PM PST

If you're getting this email, it's because you've been selected at random as winners of the Dwight Myspace top 8 friends contest.

I've already placed your profile on Dwight's mySpace page, so you can go check it out (http://www.myspace.com/dwightyoakam.)

--------------------------------------------

Woo hoo! Check out my brand new myspace page...new friends gratefully accepted!

Bootmaker in the News: Lee Miller

2007-12-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Go and read Kate Hull's article From footwear to folk art in The Daily Texan. The warmth and hospitality of Lee's shop shines through each quote and photo...which explains why Lyle Lovett, busloads of school kids (and yours truly) all look forward to our next field trip.

Wahoo!

2007-12-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

Wahoo! is a great little store in Santa Fe, New Mexico run by Diane Zamost. Cowboy boots, vintage denim... it's a curated closet of coolness.

I get a lot of e-mail from folks asking me "What should I wear with my cowboy boots?"

This shop has all the answers. You can go retro with a snap shirt and a little fringe... or grab some studded denim for that outlaw-rocker look. Want to go traditional? a little "range-y" maybe? Wahoo! has beautiful silk scarves, and decorated gloves and belts. (You may mix-up all 3 of these looks only under Diane's supervision.)

Wahoo! 227 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (map)
Call 1-800-36-WAHOO (9-2466) ...or 505-577-8200.

2007-12-03T17:56:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #12

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #12

2007-12-01T21:59:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #11

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #11

Cowboy Boots in Santa Fe, NM

2007-11-30T09:52:00.001-08:00

Photo of Stallion and Kimmel made boot at Boots & Boogie.

2007-11-29T16:36:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #10

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #10

2007-11-28T18:11:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #9

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #9

2007-11-27T19:36:00.001-08:00

Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #8

Gabcast! Cowboy Boots: Walk like ya mean it! #8

Front Page News

2007-11-26T09:44:00.000-08:00

Go read Lynn Brezosky's article, Storied cowboy boot makers in Valley are in big demand, in this morning's San Antonio Express-News.

The article has quotes and insights from longtime Rio Grande Valley bootmakers, Pat Moody (Rios of Mercedes,) Vicente Cavazos (Cavazos Boots) and Joe Martinez (Vaquero Boot Company.) The are also special guest appearances by Jess Monroe and yours truly.

To locate these and other South Texas bootmakers visit my custom bootmaker list.

Click on the image to get a glimpse of the photos.