Art Of The Cowboy Makers 2012

[Casey Jordan]

Happy New Year!!Thank you everyone for your wonderful response in signing up for the different categories for the Art of the Cowboy Makers contest.

The last two weeks of the year we're very busy around here and it wasn't all Christmas either. We still have applications coming in on-line and in the mailbox and we encourage any of you who were waiting to see if your category had enough entries to go ahead and get your applications in now.

Remember, we only have 25 openings per category so don't delay in getting signed up.

We have a couple categories where folks have told us that they were late in getting signed up but that their applications are in the mail so as it stands now this is what we have:

Boots: 8

Braiding: 4 need 3 more

Chaps: 5 need 2 more

Cinches: 13 this category is HALF FULL

Engraving: 10 close to half full

Hats: 3 need 4 more

Leather Carvers: 12 HALF FULL

Saddles: 9

Spurs: 5 need 2 more, we know you guys are out there so let us hear from you!

Youth: 2 this category will not be cancelled because no buckles are awarded

As you can imagine, it will take Silver King quite a while to get 18 trophy buckles made and that's why we had the December 31 date for making sure we had enough makers in a category. We realize some of you may have been busy with Christmas and just forgot.

For those of you who haven't sent in your applications yet, you will have until June 1 or until the category is full (whichever comes first).

Applications are on the website http://www.artofthec...pplication.html and so is on-line payment option; either pay in full or 50% deposit. The website directory will be updated to include all new makers in the next few days. If you have a picture of some of your previous work that you'd like Kristi to list in the Photo Gallery on the website please send those to her directly at kristi@artofthecowboymakers.com She'll get them up as quickly as she can.

We don't want a picture of your contest item, just something you've done in the past in that category and would like others to see. Once again, thanks for getting your apps in as quickly as you did.

Makes all our planning for the contest so much easier.

Any questions or comments Please just ask!

[Casey Jordan]

Hi to all,

As we start into the month of February I just wanted to give you another update on the contest and how things are coming. We've had a busy 10 days with two shows; Old West Round-Up in Tucson and High Noon in Mesa. Reconnected with some makers there and hope to see you entered in the contest. I'm sending this email to all makers, entered or not.

The good news is that we didn't cancel ANY category!!!

So we have kept all categories: Boots, Braiding, Chaps, Cinches, Engraving, Hats, Leather Carving, Saddles, Spurs & Youth

We have currently 62 makers entering 76 items in the contest. We have entries from the USA, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, and Australia. Love the way this thing keeps growing on the international level.

We will be accepting applications up to June 1 but some of the categories are over ½ full so don't wait too long to get them in or it may be too late. You can print off an application from the website and mail it in with your check or you can go on-line and sent it that way. You have the option to send a $50 deposit or your $100 entry fee on-line through paypal so it's pretty easy. http://www.artofthec...pplication.html

I have asked Kristi Wilson to help me answer some of your emails and questions on the contest. She is the one who keeps our website updated and so she should be able to answer most of your questions. If you're new to the contest this year we want to make sure you are listed in the Makers Directory on the website and that we have a picture of your work to post on the photo pages. Don't need a picture of your contest entry but just something you've done in the category you have entered and would like others to see. You can send that info to Kristi and she'll get it put up for you. kristi@artofthecowboymakers.com

Kristi & Dave have the Loveland Old West Round-Up that hosts our contest and so they can also answer any questions you may have about getting a vendor table at the show/contest. You can call them at

406-834-3603

or email kristi@artofthecowboymakers.com

As always if you have any questions Please just ask!

602-482-9758

[Casey Jordan]

Time is certainly counting down. Can you believe that it's April already? Just 2 1/2 months until the contest in Loveland. This email is sent to all makers even if they are entered. We are still accepting entries in all categories so get your applications in soon. Deadline for entries is June 1.

Almost 90 entries from 7 countries – it's hard for us to believe that what started with 4 categories only 4 short years ago has grown this quickly – thanks to all of you!

We now have 10 categories: Boots, Braiding, Chaps, Cinches, Engraving, Hats, Leather Carving, Saddles, Spurs & Youth

Trophy buckles and ribbons have been ordered. Silver King has come up with another nice new design and we know the winners will be proud to wear them. A number of you have decided to get tables at the tradeshow – that's a great way to make additional sales while talking to folks about your contest item. Dave & Kristi have assured me that the makers with tables will be as close to the contest area as possible. If you are thinking about getting a table, don't wait too long. You can go to there website and download an application. www.oldwestroundup.com

Don't forget that we will be taking all the contest entries to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame for a summer exhibit. The HOF has approximately 7000 visitors each month and so that means your item will be seen by over 20,000 people. We set-up at the Hall of Fame the day after the show, June 18, and the exhibit runs through Labor Day with us picking them up the Friday following. If you want your item to be displayed we would like to have some business cards or brochures that we can put out so folks can have your contact information. We mail your item back to you at the end of the exhibit and all we ask is that you pay the shipping and insurance charges for that.

Loveland and Fort Collins are busy places in the summer so don't delay in making your hotel reservations. One of our contest sponsors is High Plains Travel and they will be glad to help you with your flight and hotel arrangements. Call Donna Evanoika Mitchell at High Plains Travel

719-597-0004

ext:101 http://www.highplainstravel.com There is also hotel info on the Old West Round-Up site.

When we make the name tags for the contest, we will include a line that either says "Not for Sale" or "For Sale $????". Please let us know if your item is for sale and if so, your asking price. I know we have this on the application and some of you have already filled that in for us but some of your weren't sure if you were going to sell or at what price

Here's the link to the application page on our website: [/font] http://www.artofthec...pplication.html

You can print and send in the application or pay through Paypal.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to call:

602-482-9758

Casey Jordan

Edited April 6, 2012 by Casey Jordan

[Casey Jordan]

This will be the last reminder of the entry deadline. There's only one month left until the entry deadline of June 1st.

We now have 10 categories: Boots, Braiding, Chaps, Cinches, Engraving, Hats, Leather Carving, Saddles, Spurs & Youth Trophy buckles and ribbons have been ordered. Silver King has come up with another nice new design and we know the winners will be proud to wear them.

A number of you have decided to get tables at the trade show and that's a great way to make additional sales while talking to folks about your contest item. Dave & Kristi have assured me that the makers with tables will be as close to the contest area as possible. If you are thinking about getting a table, don't wait too long. You can go to there website and download an application. www.oldwestroundup.com

Don't forget that we will be taking all the contest entries to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame for a summer exhibit. The HOF has approximately 7000 visitors each month and so that means your item will be seen by over 20,000 people. We set-up at the Hall of Fame the day after the show, June 18, and the exhibit runs through Labor Day with us picking them up the Friday following. If you want your item to be displayed we would like to have some business cards or brochures that we can put out so folks can have your contact information. We mail your item back to you at the end of the exhibit and all we ask is that you pay the shipping and insurance charges for that.

Loveland and Fort Collins are busy places in the summer so don't delay in making your hotel reservations. One of our contest sponsors is High Plains Travel and they will be glad to help you with your flight and hotel arrangements. They have reserved a block of rooms at the Candlewood Suites in Loveland from June 13th through the 19th. The rate is $115.00 per night and the hotel is within walking distance to the fairgrounds. Call Donna Evanoika Mitchell at High Plains Travel :

719-597-0004

ext:101 http://www.highplainstravel.com There is also hotel info on the Old West Round-Up site.

We will have a few extra things to do this year. We will have at least one roping dummy to play with and you can also try your hand at Cowboy Fast Draw. There will also be an auction on Saturday. Here's the link to the application page on our website: http://www.artofthec...pplication.html

You can print and send in the application or pay through Paypal.

There doesn't seem to be much interest in Spurs this year!?

If you have any questions don't hesitate to call:

602-482-9758

Edited May 4, 2012 by Casey Jordan