Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show

[Johanna]

The Rocky Mountain Leather Tradeshow is sponsored by the Leathercrafters and Saddlers Journal and is one of the best attended tradeshows of our industry every year. I think this is the 16th year, but don't quote me. This was my first year, and it blew my mind. I'm an east coast girl, so I was surprised to see no trees. A few scrub pines, but no trees. I've only seen this above the tree line in the Appalachians. Hmmm...I rented a car and drove from Billings into Wyoming. The land is achingly beautiful, but there are no trees, except some scrawny things by ditches or creeks. I saw antelope and buffalo, but no elk. I went to Custer's Last Stand battlefield. I remember reading somewhere that the Native women pierced his ears with their awls because he didn't listen anyway.

I got to the hotel and it was full of vendors setting up. I should have taken pics right then and there, because it was too crowded and they were too busy ever after. People carried armloads of leather out the door and hundreds and thousands of dollars of tools. When you walked in the door, there was Jerry and Dave from Artisan, and next to them was a room of Bob Douglas' vintage tools which was jam packed every time I peeked. One of the finest stirrup makers was in between. Walking down the hall one way gave you your choice of leathers from several vendors with a booth by Jan Schoonover and his wife, with his magnificent art for sale. The other hallway went into a room divided into two circles of folks. Hidecrafters with Ron and Eric and a rising star, Carl Suvaco, were in the corner. Bob Beard and Jeff Mosby and Cherl Goliger were down one way, Hansen Silver and Barry King the toolmaker, Chuck and Lana Smith and Vernon Weaver were the other way. There are also 30 people I'm leaving out because I don't type too well. Tandy had a nice set up, too. If that wasn't enough, the whole atrium was divided into boothes too. Cobra Sewing machines was there, as well ans Wickett and Craig, Bee Natural, Jim Downey the Australian lace importer and Hermann Oak and Osborne and Paul and Rosa Zalesak of Leather Wranglers, and Keith from Chaylor-Fanelli and lots more. I needed a pass to get in because the hotel wouldn't let me check in yet, and so Dot gave me a "Johanna- She's Okay! Dot" pass. I went to bother Jerry right away. My laptop battery had died and I needed an outlet. He graciously made room for me, of course.

Later I checked into my room and got dressed for the King Saddlery Museum cookout. The food was delicious, the company was fantastic, the museum is fascinating. You could spend a week in there and not see everything. Mr. King made sure things were tagged and explanations are all over the museum. Yes, that is Al Stohlman's workbench. Ann wanted it to be in Don King's museum. A very nice lady whose name I didn't catch walked me through saddle basics, patiently explaining why they were special or different. A few days with her and you could have a college education in saddles. I don't know why she picked me to teach, but if you are reading this, pretty lady with the long hair, thank you again for your time! Then we were entertained by the Bugle and Drum Corp- what a party! What an amazing collection of tools and saddles and collecter pieces. When you look at the pics you might think there are alot of guns. Well, there are, but I took pics of a lot of them because I know more about the guns than the saddles.

King Saddlery Pics

The next day was Friday, and I was up bright and early (thank you Eastern Time) and I got to see the competition room. It was very full of people and I couldn't get good pics so I came back later and took these. I did the best I could. The room was crowded and the lighting was awful. The work was outstanding, and would really kick things up a notch at the IFoLG shows.

Competition Room Pics

Friday night I got to go to the party at Sheridan Leather Outfitters and then over to Barry King's cookout. A very nice evening with some special people.

Saturday I slipped out in the afternoon and drove into the mountains that had been calling me, about 25 miles to the south. A Fed Ex driver drew me a map of which roads would be open to traffic and where to get the best views. There was snow up there, and quite a bit for a pretty May day! I went to the Fetterman Memorial outside of Story and walked the path around the battlefield. There were no white survivors of that one. I can see why the land was fought over so fiercely, and I wondered how hard it must have been to be out there in the open with no cover, no comforting trees. I had dinner with Harvery Lutske and his wife, and Paul and Rosa, and then spent some time just exploring the town. I didn't go to the reception where the awards were given and I didn't ask who won the award. Maybe someone else knows?

Sunday I headed home, back to Ohio. Wade met my plane at midnight, and he insisted on carrying all my stuff.

Here are some pics:

Yaklady (Kathy Flanagan) and Bert (Clay Miller)

Jim Linnell says he's proud to have Carl Suvaco as a student.

Jim and Pat Hay were there, as well as Mrs. Linnell.

And Rosa, Paul Me and Harvey courtesy of Sharon, Harvey's wife.

I do have some video...gimmee a bit to get it uploaded. I got a little behind here at home while I was gone. All in all a wonderful trip, fantastic people and a great time. (smooch >Kevin<)

Johanna

[kevinhopkins]

you're a turkey! I wanted to go, but the dumb advertising worked, so I had to stay and help fill orders...maybe next year!!! Thanks for the pix!

Kevin

[MarkB]

Johanna

Nice write up on the show. Glad you like the part of our state that you got to see. There are many leather related places in and around Sheridan that you got to see. The thing that is nice is that every one you talk to would help you with any questions that you might have. I wished that I could have found you and got to talk to you in person.

Thanks for the great report of the show

Mark

[hidepounder]

Johanna,

Great account of the show. LOVED the pix.....seeing it all again brings back memories of great fun! Now I really am depressed for not going! Thanks for the great write up though!

[Art]

Hi Johanna,

Finally, Al Gould won the Al Stohlman Award.

Art

The Rocky Mountain Leather Tradeshow is sponsored by the Leathercrafters and Saddlers Journal and is one of the best attended tradeshows of our industry every year. I think this is the 16th year, but don't quote me. This was my first year, and it blew my mind. I'm an east coast girl, so I was surprised to see no trees. A few scrub pines, but no trees. I've only seen this above the tree line in the Appalachians. Hmmm...I rented a car and drove from Billings into Wyoming. The land is achingly beautiful, but there are no trees, except some scrawny things by ditches or creeks. I saw antelope and buffalo, but no elk. I went to Custer's Last Stand battlefield. I remember reading somewhere that the Native women pierced his ears with their awls because he didn't listen anyway.

I got to the hotel and it was full of vendors setting up. I should have taken pics right then and there, because it was too crowded and they were too busy ever after. People carried armloads of leather out the door and hundreds and thousands of dollars of tools. When you walked in the door, there was Jerry and Dave from Artisan, and next to them was a room of Bob Douglas' vintage tools which was jam packed every time I peeked. One of the finest stirrup makers was in between. Walking down the hall one way gave you your choice of leathers from several vendors with a booth by Jan Schoonover and his wife, with his magnificent art for sale. The other hallway went into a room divided into two circles of folks. Hidecrafters with Ron and Eric and a rising star, Carl Suvaco, were in the corner. Bob Beard and Jeff Mosby and Cherl Goliger were down one way, Hansen Silver and Barry King the toolmaker, Chuck and Lana Smith and Vernon Weaver were the other way. There are also 30 people I'm leaving out because I don't type too well. Tandy had a nice set up, too. If that wasn't enough, the whole atrium was divided into boothes too. Cobra Sewing machines was there, as well ans Wickett and Craig, Bee Natural, Jim Downey the Australian lace importer and Hermann Oak and Osborne and Paul and Rosa Zalesak of Leather Wranglers, and Keith from Chaylor-Fanelli and lots more. I needed a pass to get in because the hotel wouldn't let me check in yet, and so Dot gave me a "Johanna- She's Okay! Dot" pass. I went to bother Jerry right away. My laptop battery had died and I needed an outlet. He graciously made room for me, of course.

Later I checked into my room and got dressed for the King Saddlery Museum cookout. The food was delicious, the company was fantastic, the museum is fascinating. You could spend a week in there and not see everything. Mr. King made sure things were tagged and explanations are all over the museum. Yes, that is Al Stohlman's workbench. Ann wanted it to be in Don King's museum. A very nice lady whose name I didn't catch walked me through saddle basics, patiently explaining why they were special or different. A few days with her and you could have a college education in saddles. I don't know why she picked me to teach, but if you are reading this, pretty lady with the long hair, thank you again for your time! Then we were entertained by the Bugle and Drum Corp- what a party! What an amazing collection of tools and saddles and collecter pieces. When you look at the pics you might think there are alot of guns. Well, there are, but I took pics of a lot of them because I know more about the guns than the saddles.

King Saddlery Pics

The next day was Friday, and I was up bright and early (thank you Eastern Time) and I got to see the competition room. It was very full of people and I couldn't get good pics so I came back later and took these. I did the best I could. The room was crowded and the lighting was awful. The work was outstanding, and would really kick things up a notch at the IFoLG shows.

Competition Room Pics

Friday night I got to go to the party at Sheridan Leather Outfitters and then over to Barry King's cookout. A very nice evening with some special people.

Saturday I slipped out in the afternoon and drove into the mountains that had been calling me, about 25 miles to the south. A Fed Ex driver drew me a map of which roads would be open to traffic and where to get the best views. There was snow up there, and quite a bit for a pretty May day! I went to the Fetterman Memorial outside of Story and walked the path around the battlefield. There were no white survivors of that one. I can see why the land was fought over so fiercely, and I wondered how hard it must have been to be out there in the open with no cover, no comforting trees. I had dinner with Harvery Lutske and his wife, and Paul and Rosa, and then spent some time just exploring the town. I didn't go to the reception where the awards were given and I didn't ask who won the award. Maybe someone else knows?

Sunday I headed home, back to Ohio. Wade met my plane at midnight, and he insisted on carrying all my stuff.

Here are some pics:

Yaklady (Kathy Flanagan) and Bert (Clay Miller)

Jim Linnell says he's proud to have Carl Suvaco as a student.

Jim and Pat Hay were there, as well as Mrs. Linnell.

And Rosa, Paul Me and Harvey courtesy of Sharon, Harvey's wife.

I do have some video...gimmee a bit to get it uploaded. I got a little behind here at home while I was gone. All in all a wonderful trip, fantastic people and a great time. (smooch >Kevin<)

Johanna

[Suze]

wow

I'm glad you had a good time - Just went through the compition pics

I think my Ohhhh---Ahhhhh----OOOOOOOO Is broke.

[Bob]

Johanna we wanted to go again this year. Last year had a wonderful time. All the great photo's you posted brought back all the awesome memories. Thanks for posting this.

[Clay]

Johanna,

It was great to meet you in person after all this time. I had alot of fun this year. I think that picture you took proves that. LOL couldn't fine one with me looking a little more sober? My wife and kids were able to come with me for their first time. The wife now understands why I like to go to Sheridan. It is a great town with lots of colorful people and history. If any of you can I strongly suggest going next year. You can meet me at the Mint!!

ClayM

[yaklady]

Johanna,

At last, we got to meet! It sounds like you had as good a time as I did. Some of my best friends in life are there, and that's almost the only time I get to see them. Isn't it wonderful there?

Did you notice the blue ribbon with my name on it?

Kathy

[Johanna]

Mr. & Mrs. Al Gould. Mr. Gould won the Stohlman Award for 2009.

[Deaf Ranger]

Reading our report has put a hunger in my heart to wan to go this year! It sounds exciting. t may be a long drive from Tucson AZ, though...can people fly in?

[superchute]

You can fly in to Rapid City SD and drive about 280 to sheridan with a stop by Deadwood . Billings MT is like 90 miles from sheridan

Russ

[Art]

You can also fly to Denver and connect with a Beech 1900 into Sheridan. It can rock and roll sometimes, but is usually ok. Beech 1900 us a twin engine turboprop 19 seater. They also fly another plane that is a little bigger (little is the operative word), even has a flight attendant.

Art

You can fly in to Rapid City SD and drive about 280 to sheridan with a stop by Deadwood . Billings MT is like 90 miles from sheridan

Russ