Art Of The Cowboy Makers

[Casey Jordan]

Some of you may have already received this in an email. This is just some updates for the Art of the Cowboy Makers contest. We have some exciting news for all makers. The dates for the 2011 contest is June 17-19 which is a Friday - Sunday and will not conflict with the Sheridan Leather show this year.

We have some new sponsors this year that we are very proud to have as sponsors.

Leatherworker.net - Corporate Sponsor!

Barry King Tools - Champion Leather Carver

Leather Machine Co, Inc. - People's Choice Leather Carver

Thank you to Johanna and staff, Barry King and Steve Tayrien! I"m very happy to have these quality people as sponsors.

All entries will be invited to have their entry on special exhibit at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame from June 20th - September 9th 2011. This was a very successful exhibit last year. We are doing more advertising and we are getting a lot of interest from new makers and will be sending this email to new makers too. So remember we have a limit of 25 per category on a first come first serve basis. I'm already receiving entries from past entrants and new makers. The categories are the same as last year plus we added a Leather Carving category.So this year we will have Bits, Boots, Braiding, Engraving, Leather Carving, Saddles and Spurs. In addition to the above we are adding an open youth category. This will be for makers 18 years and younger. These young people are our future makers and need the exposure and encouragement too. They will be allowed to make any item from the above seven categories. We are still working out the details on this category and there will be a separate application on the website soon. All the rules, application and pictures of last years contest are on our website: www.artofthecowboymakers.com You may notice we have added a language translator that will translate to 10 different languages. We are getting interest from various countries. Also Sammi Snow from the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame would like to know if anyone is interested in doing demonstrations for the visitors at the Hall of Fame. She would like to have demonstrations at least once a month starting in January. They will do advertising for all these demonstrations and would be a good way for more exposure for you and your work.If your interested please contact her directly. Sammi Snow ssnow@prorodeo.com If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email or call me at:602-482-9758

[Casey Jordan]

The youth (18 and under) rules and application are up on our website now! www.artofthecowboymakers.com

[Casey Jordan]

Just a couple updates : Bits moved to engraving category

: New hat category

: Saddle stands for rent

Unfortunately, it seems there is not much interest in the Bit category. We have had a hard time getting entries in this category since the beginning. As of now we have 0 entries in this category. We will no longer have a Bit category, so if you would like to make a Bit you can enter it in the Engraving category.

We have added a new category: HATS!

After talking to several hat makers in Las Vegas last week at Cowboy Christmas, all of the ones I talked to were very interested in the contest. I sent out an email to about 20 other hat makers when I got home and also received a very positive response. So here's a chance for Hat Makers to get the exposure at Loveland and at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. This will be added to the application soon or you can just write it in.

We will also have saddle stands for rent for $20.00 and will be for the duration of the contest and the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame exhibit.

Since there might be saddles coming from other countries and some might have to be mailed this is one way to have a stand without shipping it. There will be a place for this on the application soon and will need to be paid with the deposit so we know how many we will need.

So the 2011 categories are: Boots

Braiding

Engraving

Hats

Leather Carving

Saddles

Spurs

Youth (18 and under, any category)

Still looking for Braiding Champion, Braiding "People's Choice" and youth sponsors if anyone is interested.

If you have any questions PLEASE ask! Email or call 602-482-9758

www.artofthecowboymakers.com

[Casey Jordan]

We have ammended one of the rules in the youth category.

Adult supervision only - no help with entry. EXCEPTION: In issues of safety, the supervising adult may assist youth with the project, i.e. heavy machinery, torches, clickers, stitchers, splitters....

We want the youth to do the work but, we don't want any of them to get hurt in any way. We realized that some of the younger ones may not have the skills to use these machines safely.

As always if you have any questions or comments PLEASE ask!

Casey Jordan

www.artofthecowboymakers.com

[Casey Jordan]

Just a quick note as a reminder that the entry deadline is coming up in 1 month, May 15, 2011.So far we have 3 Countries entered and are expecting at least two more. I have talked to a lot of makers who said they will be entering, but still waiting on applications. Also all entries will be invited to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame exhibit from June 20 - September 9, 2011. This is real good exposure for all makers whether they win anything or not. Categories: Boots, Braiding, Engraving, Hats, Leather Carving, Saddles, Spurs & Youth Rules and Application can be downloaded off our website: www.artofthecowboymakers.com You may also pay via Paypal on the website and will not have to send in an application. This makes it real easy to enter. Any questions PLEASE ASK!602-482-9758

[Casey Jordan]

We now have 4 countries entered!!

Including a saddle maker from Czech Republic and he is coming to the show in Loveland, Colorado.

I'm really looking forward to meeting him and seeing his work in person.

I know for a fact that there are a lot of great makers from Canada but, we have no entries from Canada yet.

I will not start naming names because it will take too long and I will probably leave someone out.

All countries are welcome!!

[Casey Jordan]

We now have 4 countries entered!!

Including a saddle maker from Czech Republic and he is coming to the show in Loveland, Colorado.

I'm really looking forward to meeting him and seeing his work in person.

I know for a fact that there are a lot of great makers from Canada but, we have no entries from Canada yet.

I will not start naming names because it will take too long and I will probably leave someone out.

All countries are welcome!!

Just by sheer coincidence we have another saddle maker entered fromthe Czech Republic. And what's more amazing he will be at the show in Loveland, Colorado too!

Two saddle makers from the Czech Republic meeting for the first time in Loveland, Colorado!

They have heard of each other but have not met each other yet. They are both members of this forum.

I'm really looking forward to meeting both of them.

Now that's cool!!

[Casey Jordan]

The entry deadline is coming up in 15 days on May 15,2011. But you still have a month and a half to finish your entries.

So far we have just over $7900.00 in cash and prizes. This amount will raise with each entry received. We have 4 countries entered so far. Argentina, Australia, Chech Republic and U.S.

I know a lot of you wait until the last minute to enter, like the last two years. I have talked to a lot of makers who said they were getting in but have not received their entries yet.

This is what we have so far:

Boots - 2

Braiding - 8

Engraving - 5

Hats - 3

Leather Carving - 5

Saddles - 6

Spurs - 3

Youth - 1

As you can see we still have plenty of room for more in each category.

The buckles and ribbons have been ordered and will be given away with cash awards.

If you have any questions please ask.

602-482-9758

Casey Jordan

Edited May 1, 2011 by Casey Jordan

[Casey Jordan]

Just a quick up-date on Leather Categories:

Still only 2 boots entered, does not look good for this category for next year so far! Sure would hate to not have this category since it is very popular with the public.

The braiders are stepping up to the challenge but we still have only 8.

Starting to get some Leather Carvers entering.

If this (or any category) fills up with 25 entries the winner will pocket over $900.00 CASH!!!! Not to mention the Trophy Buckle!

I know there are more saddle makers out there. It doesn't matter when you made it or if it has been in another show before ours. It can be for sale or already sold, does not matter, the main purpose of the contest is exposure for the contemporary makers.

Also all entries will be invited to the special exhibit at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado from

June 20 - September 9, 2011.

Any Youth 18 and under want entered? Entry fee for Youth is $25.00 and they can make just about anything from leather.

Any questions or comments, Please ask!

Edited May 5, 2011 by Casey Jordan

[Casey Jordan]

Just another quick reminder.

The entry deadline is less than a week away!

I know everyone waits until the last minute to enter, but I'm getting pretty nervous.

We have a few categories (Boots, Hats, Spurs and Youth) that may not have enough interest this year to have the category next year.

Please realize that the sponsors pay a bunch of money to sponsor these categories. If there's not many entries they won't sponsor the category next year.

And quite frankly we can't justify paying all the money for buckles and ribbons for 4 or 5 entries. Not much of a contest without interest from the makers.

This is your chance to get about 36,000 people to see your work and pick up your business cards for $100.00 whether you win, lose or draw.

Hard to get advertising anywhere else for that.

The public is looking forward to seeing the items this year, I just don't want them to be disappointed.

Any questions or comments, Please let me know.

602-482-9758

Casey