Opagon

Thanks for all the nice comments, I really appreciate them. Most of the projects I do in Roo so I can leave it when the kids start being kids. I well try and post some more of my work for everyone to see and give suggestions on. I am hoping to turn this hobby into a business so if you see ways for me to improve my work, PLEASE let me know. Thanks again, Opagon aka Heather

Thank you all for making a girl feel welcomed... They aren't a lot of braiders in Wisconsin to talk to and bounce ideas off of. I have been checking out this site quite a bit and after seeing some of the work on here am feeling a little imtimadated about showing my stuff. There is only one way to get better at something and that is to practice. I look forward to some constructive criticism and exchanges. This is a bracelet and necklace set I made up for a friend. Come Holiday season I seem to make a lot of variations of these for gifts. The plaiting is done in chocolate Roo with natural rawide accents and I added some little ferrules that I bought from a tack shop that was going out of business. Opagon

This is a set of 8 foot reins in Roo in camel with light green accents. They are an 8 plait in what I like to call my Girly width. Having small hands I like the smaller width. I went to for clips because I switch to different headstalls alot. The second set is my working cow horse romal reins that I am hoping to be able to use one day. (Need to get my horse back in training.) When I started this project I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I do not use tape under my knots, instead I use a spanish ring knot to get my shape. My final count on the knots was 249. I was so happy to put the last knot on this set that I danced around the house to my Husbands embarrassment. Let me know if you would like to see more of my work. Opagon

I have been seraching for a place to share braiding ideas and meet other craftsmen/women for awhile when by chance I have come across this site. Thank you to those who started it and are working to maintain it. A little about me: Living in Wisconsin and not have an indoor arena to ride in, I wanted to find something to do during the cold winters so I started braiding and fell in love with the endless possibilitys. I have been braiding rawhide and Roo for about 5 years now and during the last 2 have had to start selling items just to make more room for the other items that I want to make. (I never thought a Girl could have too much tack until I went through my tack rooom!) With 2 little kids running around I find myself braiding more Roo these days but hope to get back to the rawhide once the youngest hits school. I braid mostly traditional working gear (Fully braided and braid overlay) and like to dabble in smaller items (braclets, key chains, ect..) depending on the amount of time my kids will behave. When I started to sell the personal tack that I no longer wanted, I found my phone ringing from friends of friends that wanted a set/piece like so-and-so's and now find myself trying to figure out when I can stop braiding and go ride one of my pasture pet (supose to be show) horses. So, in a nut shell that is me and I look forward to getting to know the gang here and sharing ideas. Opagon (aka Heather)