Cowboy Boots

Vintage Cowboy Boots on eBay

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Groovy "Willie Lusk" boots on eBay.
Okay. I'll let you wear them, but not everyday.

Fashion Tip from Dwight Yoakam

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Q: Dwight, what boots do I wear with my Manuel-sparkley-style jacket?

A: Stingray, silly.

Book Signing (Napa, CA)

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:14:00 +0000

Can't decide whether or not to buy a pair of custom boots? Here, let me get you a glass of wine.

Come to the Napa Valley. Visit Terri Courtney in her red-barn-bootshop. Buy my book, or bring your well-worn copy. I'll sign it. It'll be swell.

September 26, 2009 � 1-3 pm
Napa Valley Open Studios Tour
3151 Sunnydale Drive, Napa CA (map)

For more info,
read this flyer ...or contact:
Courtney Custom Boots
Terri Courtney, Bootmaker
(707) 501-8050 and terri@courtneycustomboots.com

Cowboy Boots at 6pm

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Hey! Remember those Old Gringo and Liberty Boots you wanted last year? ...before the whole world told you to put your money back in your pocket? (Sad trombone, via Maggie)

Well, I'm giving you one last chance.

6pm sells mens, womens and kids cowboy boots at up to 75% off retail. Here's your chance to be twice the rockstar at half the price (...or yeah, you could get a couple more pairs of the same Ariat's yer wearing now. Geez.)

Your size is selling quick, better hurry.

Bootmaker in the News: Michael Anthony

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:35:00 +0000

If you know Michael Anthony, you know he is passionate about bootmaking.

If you don't know Michael Anthony...let me tell you, he is PASSIONATE about bootmaking. He is precise in his craft. He is energetic... and very, very persistent. If he decides he needs moon dust to give his leather boots an unrivaled glow, then by God... he will get his moon dust! Even if he has to fill out 4 months of NASA paperwork, go to the moon himself... and bring the dust back to earth in his carry-on luggage.

(Of course, we all know that the "glow" comes from Michael's caring dedication, not the moon dust.)

Read about Michael Anthony's adventures "Tracing Lincoln's Footprints." Don't forget to click through the photos of the boots and other presidential mementos. (Washington Post. Thursday, May 14, 2009)

Custom Boots by Michael Anthony
227 North Main Street
Sebastopol, California 95472 USA
1-707-823-7204

Brown Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:04:00 +0000

I think I wore these shoes in a past life. Yes, I'm sure of it. I'm going to have to call Smitty, and see if they still fit me.

Oh, I lost my good wooden spoon, too... Have you seen it?

(Screenshot from YouTube video below.)

Blucher Custom Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Blucher Custom Boots
PO Box 48, Beggs OK 74421
(918) 267-5393

Leather Carving

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Customer: "I want a fearsome battle scene between a bear and a bull, with horns and claws and bloodletting. I want a patriotic tribute with stars and stripes, an eagle, swords, golden arrows and military artillery. I want a tangle of thorny roses. Lots of them. I want a spewing oil rig, lotto-sized dollar signs, rattle snakes and roosters... and I want the rooster tails to mimic the artistic energy of the aforementioned oil well. I want a lifelike portrait of my hunting dog 'Champ.' I want a herd of wild mustangs thundering across my cowboy boots. I want a hundred dollar bill so real looking I could get arrested for counterfeiting."

Bootmaker: "Yer crazy."

Peter Main: "What color do you want those roses?"

Photo courtesy of www.PeterMain.com.

Exotic Cowboy Boots on eBay

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:18:00 +0000

For maximum impact, and exotic leather should offer novelty and surprise. Bystanders will wonder, point and eventually ask, "What is it?" Popular with people who want to stand out in a crowd, exotic leathers provide eye-catching patterns and textures not found on everyday cowhide.

Exotic leathers offer a way to add endless variety to a your boot collection. There's always one more color, one more critter... one more pair.

In many cultures, wearing the skin of a totemic animal is thought to convey that animal's strengths and characteristics:* cunning, speed, and virility to name a few.

The best way to get the exact exotic cowboy boots you want, is to order them custom made.

Otherwise, are you feelin' lucky? ...here are a few finely-crafted short cuts to help you with your ebay searches for both new and used cowboy boots. Just remember to check the listings carefully for words like "genuine" (not "print" or "embossed.") Don't be afraid to ask the seller questions, or request more detailed photos.

My shortcut eBay searches for cowboy boots...

Alligator boots (see also, crocodile & caiman)
Anteater
Armadillo boots
Bullhide
Crocodile & caiman boots
Eelskin boots
Elephant
Elk boots
Lizard
Ostrich mens boots
Ostrich womens boots
Sea bass
Sea Turtle (prohibited on eBay, more info)
Shark
Snakeskin boots
Stingray

* Anyone shopping for armadillo boots should please look carefully before crossing the street.

Photo of shark cowboy boots provided by ebay seller, "steve_and_nikki."

Anteater Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Wowza. There seems to be some sort of ebay feeding-frenzy on anteater boots.
Photo courtesy of ebay seller, "premiumguide."

Free Downloads

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Big news. I've decided to start giving away my eDirectory as a free download.

I think it might do some good... might stimulate a few sales for some hard working bootmakers and get some customers into some new well-made and well-deserved custom boots.

I've also decided to give away my "Missing Index." Why not?!

(If you've bought these items in the past, and would like part or full refund, I am happy to do it. Please email me at jenn@dimlights.com.)

I hope you find these downloads and my website helpful.

Try, try again...

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:39:00 +0000

Don't despair. Even if you flunk all the shoot and click games at chez elfo loco, over and over again... the boot elves will feel sorry for you and let you build a boot anyway (and even win a prize.)

Umm. Don't ask me how I know this.

Cowboy Boot History for Sale on eBay

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:42:00 +0000

Quick!

Cowboy Boot Collecting: eBay Pick

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:28:00 +0000

I know. I know. These are Miss Capezio "cowboy" boots... but I find their ferocious flowers kinda inspirational. (Photo courtesy of eBay seller iheartdangervintage)

More cowboy boot auctions.

Cowboy Boot Screenshots: "Spun"

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:22:00 +0000

"Spun" is a twitchy little indie film all about methamphetamine.

Me? I'm a geek, so I rented it solely for the cowboy boots.

My pal Pascal told me, long ago, he had built a pair of cowboy boots for the Hollywood celebrity and fashion warrior, Mickey Rourke. Yep. You know you're living right when you can walk on to a movie set in your every-day boots and play a crazy crank cook. I'm left feeling uncomfortably ordinary.

Here they are... white cowboy boots with flames and stitching and bling-y mule ears. Boy howdy. If you want a pair just like them (but not)...go talk to Pascal.

Boot of the Month

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:03:00 +0000

...courtesy of the Paul Bond Boot Company.

BootElves.com

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:08:00 +0000

Hold on to your bandwidth... and your car keys. The Boot Elves are here.

El Pepe, Guano, Zapato & Pico are the unruly gang of sole-bangin' bootmakin' elves, the stuff of true legend. Use your mouse and arrow keys to explore their hideout. But be careful, stick around too long and you'll be put to work making you own pair of Heritage Boots. Are ya game?

Where to Buy Cowboy Boots: Austin, TX

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Are you in Austin for SXSW? Here's a free one-page trip guide to finding vintage, ready-made and custom cowboy boots.

Your welcome. (File size: 4.1 MB)

Cowboy Boots: Trendspotting

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:35:00 +0000

Here you go. These are the cowboy boots that all the cool girls will be wearing at the farmer's market tomorrow morning. Nameless brown leather, scuffed toes. It's still winter, so they will be worn with black tights or skinny jeans. They are a perfect complement to root crops and organic coffee drunk from a jar.

More vintage boots on eBay.

(Photo courtesy of ebay seller, carissa_malka. )

Ostrich Boots: Leather & Care

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Ostrich is one of the most comfortable exotic leathers money can buy.

Ostrich is soft as it is durable... and some say, it fits and flexes with your foot "like a sock with a sole."

The photo above is a pair of boots made and worn by bootmaker, Duck Menzies (Temple, TX.) Too many ostrich boots are confined to timid colors schemes and then locked up for special occasions. Not these boots! These are comfortable everyday boots with a good punch of color. (Photo courtesy of Texas Traditions.)

Ostrich leather comes in many, many colors. Black, brown and tan are yesterday's classic standbys, but "denim blues" and trendy greens are today's choices to wear with your jeans.

Western retailers, like Boot Barn, now carry a large selection of ostrich boots. And don't forget, custom cowboy boots can be long-wearing and affordable ...mostly because the bottoms of the boots are made of ostrich, while the boot tops are often made with stitched or inlaid cowhide.

Exotic? No worries. You take care of your ostrich boots, the same way you do your calf or bullhide boots. Ostrich leather is very low maintenance for an exotic choice... it's mysteriously resistant to many everyday scuffs and scratches.

Ostrich Boot Care:

Remove any loose dirt and dust with brush or cloth.
Clean ostrich leather thoroughly with a lanolin based leather conditioner. (The folks on my bulletin board like Bick 4.*)
Apply a THIN coat of neutral shoe creme,* then buff or rub with a soft cloth until a luster is obtained.
For a brighter shine, apply a thin coat of paste polish on darker colors... and buff again. (Psssst. I never do this.)

* You can buy supplies like Bick 4 and Meltonian Shoe Cream Polish online, or from your local shoe repair shop. Avoid using drugstore brands. Visit my bulletin board for more boot care advice.

There are 3 types of "ostrich" boots...

Full Quill... like those shown in the top photo. Distinct bumps and pores. The leather looks just like what it is... a plucked bird. This skin is thick, but soft and the ostrich usually found only on the foot (vamp) of a cowboy boot, not the top.
Smooth Ostrich... has very small, nearly flat quills. Same bird, just a different cut on the hide. If you like the texture and breathability of ostrich skin, but not the bumps... this is a fine choice. If a boot is advertised as "full ostrich" the boot top is often made of smooth ostrich. (See the black cherry boot below; click to zoom.)
Ostrich Leg... looks a lot like a snake or lizard skin. And because these boots use a very narrow piece of hide, the resulting vamp is made with 3 sewn pieces. (See the light brown boot below; click to zoom.)

People make cowboy boots from ostrich leather, but ostriches are also farmed for their meat and feathers.

Most ostrich leather is exported from Southern Africa.

Let's be friends

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:10:00 +0000

(click)

Cowboy Boots -- Clippings

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:18:00 +0000

Amazing! 257 images and counting. How many pixels is that?

Many thanks to "treasguy" and "mbstinky" for their generous posting of vintage cowboy boot ads on the photo-sharing site, Flickr.

Poke around. You'll find the "Big 3," but you'll also find ads for Paul Bond, Joe Hall, M.L. Leddy, and Champion Boot Companies.

Play a game of hide-n-seek ...and look for the ad that matches your latest vintage pair.

Cowboy Boot Pick @ Zappos.com

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:26:00 +0000

I found this cowgirl boot hidden on the sale rack at Zappos.com. (Fellas, your boots are here.)

I like 'em. I especially like how Frye replaced the toebug with rivets. This is one of those boots that looks better with wear. Trust me. Without any lining leather the tops will get a groovy slouch to them. Urban, modern. Kinda post-western. Not only that, but cool in the summertime.

Frye has a long history and vast style library to inspire its innovation. When they stay true to their sturdy Western look their design have real lasting power. Frye can make a tiny change in a piece of hardware or a color... and I'll ooh-and-ahh all over again.

When I see ventilated boots like this one, it makes me think of boots made by James Leddy Boots (photo below) ...or Ammons Boot Company.

Cavender's Boot City (& Raffle)

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:50:00 +0000

This time of year I tend to look backwards as much as forward. Thinking about the things I plan... and then the things that happen anyway.

One such surprise was my visit last summer to Cavender's Boot City in Houston, TX. I've got plenty of bootmakers to visit when I'm in Texas, so usually I blast right by all the chain stores... BUT I got a tip (from Mr. Cavender, himself) that there were some swell boots inside.

It turns out, Cavender's is a Houston hideout for vintage cowboy boots. They are not for sale, but part of an impressive Cavender collection... available for viewing during store hours.

My favorites were the larger-than-life "display boots." I don't know, maybe it's my unending fondness for roadside attractions, or maybe it's because my everyday boots are so small... these big boots just crack me up.

Go see for yourself

Cavender's
2505 S Loop West 610
Houston, TX
(713) 664-8999

P.S. Hey! Send me an email at jenn@dimlights.com with "I want 2 hats" in the subject line. E-mail me before noon, Saturday January 31 PST. A winner will be picked randomly, and I'll mail 'em these two hats. Woo hoo! (Free domestic U.S. shipping only.)

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer June) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:25:00 +0000

My sweetie made me a "Christmas Boot" for the frontyard, complete with toebug.

Ain't it swell?! It is soooo very swell.