Jim Linnell in Miles City, MT

Location Miles City Saddlery, Miles City, MT

Cost $95

Time: 9:00 to 5:00 Saturday, May 14

9:00 to finish on Sunday, May 15

Tools to bring: Basic carving tools of their preference, including camouflage, shaders, bevellers, veiners, small and large seeders, stop, mule’s foot, backgtound of their choice. In addition to these basics they should bring small & large matting tools, fine hair blade, and a modeling spoon. I’m sure they will need to bring a mallet, marble, tracing stylus, swivel knife, strop, and other basic carving stuff. They might also bring some wing dividers for their border and edge finishing equipment as well.

I will provide everything for dying and finishing, supplies for hand sewing, leather and pattern.

I’m sure that just like last time, there will be a 2 day history of leather work, that goes on with this. I’m sure there will be some more show-n-tell like the last time. I will bring along a few important pieces of historic leather carving that I have in my collection and who knows what all Jack will pull out of his archives. As mentioned, each student will get to stamp their project with a limited edition makers stamp, indicating that it was made at the Miles City Saddlery. The notebook will be a classic Miles City Saddlery vintage pattern, handmade at the Miles City Saddlery, where craftsmen like Ken Griffin, Bob Dellis and many others perfected their skills, and the class will be instructed by a Miles City native. It will be a lot of fun and the education should be more than just how to build a leather project.

Jim Linnell

For additional information contact Leon Sevier

or Jim Linnell

The Miles City Saddlery has seen many well known leather craftsmen working at and perfecting their craft within its walls. Some of the more notable, like Ken Griffin, F.O. Baird, and Bob Dellis you have probably heard of, but many others who did equally magnificent work took their turn at this institution as well. These craftsmen went on to influence the look, style and technique of leather carving throughout Western USA. It is no wonder that a genuine Miles City Saddlery saddle is one of the most sought after pieces of western memorabilia at auctions today.

On May 14 and 15, this famous saddle shop will be hosting a leather carving workshop conducted by 2002 Al Stohlman Award recipient, Jim Linnell. Jim is a Miles City native and he grew up being influenced by the work turned out by the craftsmen of the Miles City Saddlery. He has taken his passion for leather carving that was developed in Miles City and passed it on to thousands through classes on the craft taught across the USA and in many foreign countries. This master craftsman will be returning to his roots as he leads participants in this workshop through the creation of a notebook carved in the traditional style of the Miles City Saddlery. When finished, participants will stamp their notebook with a Limited Edition Maker’s Stamp created for this event, indicating that it was made at the Miles City Saddlery. They will go home with a very unique piece of western memorabilia and a taste of leather working history and culture they will not soon forget.

Space is limited, so don’t take too long deciding on being a part of this rare opportunity. The Miles City Saddlery is a little bit of a museum to leather working and Jim has promised to bring a few pieces from his collection. To go along with the workshop, there will likely be a 2 day seminar on the history of leather work as students immerse themselves in their work. For more information, detailed schedule and materials list, contact Leon Sevier

To sum up; There will not be a lot of opportunities to learn leather carving techniques at the historic Miles City Saddlery where so many great leather craftsmen polished their skills, in a workshop conducted by internationally known, master leather craftsman and Miles City native, Jim Linnell, where students will create a notebook with a classic Miles City pattern, stamped with a Limited Edition Maker’s stamp. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this one.