Fall colors

Seth didn't have to work yesterday, so we put Emma in the car...

and headed up to the mountains. 

The scenery started out pretty...

 and got better...

and better... 

the further we drove. 

We stopped several times to walk the dog,

admire the scenery...

and take pictures.

Oh, so many pictures!

One of our stops was the Guanella Pass summit.

While Seth and Emma checked out the trail leading up to Mount Bierstadt...

I took a few photos of the fourth member of our party.

Tuscalero has never looked so good!

I absolutely love fall in the high country. This was a wonderful day!

Margaret's saddle

I finished Margaret's pony saddle yesterday. It went together well, and I am pleased with the new pattern. Normally I would celebrate this success with a studio photo shoot, but... I've made there saddles in three weeks. The studio photo shoot is feeling a little played out.

So I decided to try something different.

Pony saddle meets pony.

Pony saddle on pony.

I think she needs a wide tree.

It fits better on her neck! 

Sprite says, "Does this saddle make my butt look big?" 

I'll probably take some serious photos when the rest of the set is done, but this was a pretty fun alternative. Model saddles on real horses--it just never gets old!

It takes money to make money

*The halter slots have been claimed! Thanks, everyone!*

The last month has been the most productive  month Braymere Custom Saddlery has had in several years. This is a good thing, but suddenly, I'm running low on hardware and supplies. I just spent a lot of money I don't have replenishing my stash.

In an effort to mitigate the damage, I've decided to pre-sell four nameplate halters. These can be ordered in black, dark brown, medium brown or tan leather. A "plain" halter is forty dollars postage paid within the United States. International customers will pay exact postage.

Padded halters are also available for an extra twenty dollars. Color options are limited. Please inquire.

Halter slots are available first come, first serve and must be paid in full at the time of order. Please contact me via email: Braymere@comcast.net. Thanks in advance for supporting Braymere Custom Saddlery!

Back to the drawing board

My next big project is a pony huntseat set for Margaret. I don't make many saddles this size, which is evidenced by the age of my patterns.

Although I remember being exceptionally pleased with the 2010 pattern...

five years is a long time in terms of my tackmaking career. An update was in order, so today I went back to the drawing board--literally!

After a lot of trial and error, I think I have new and improved pony saddle pattern.

Fingers crossed! Tomorrow I'll put it to the test. 

Hoarders R Us

Years ago, before I was experienced enough to know better, I bought a big pile of upholstery samples.  

They had been described as "soft and supple, perfect for model horse tackmaking." Sadly, that was not the case. Although the colors were pretty, the leather itself was thick and suede-y. I tried to make a few things with it, but the results left a lot to be desired. I tossed the lot into a drawer and mostly forgot about it. 

Every so often, I rifle through that drawer and think, "I should really throw that stuff away." I don't though, because someday I am a supply hoarder, and someday I might need some thick, heavy, colored leather.

Today was that day.

I had a special request for a nameplate halter with burgundy padding. At first I thought I might need to drive to the Leather Factory to look for burgundy dye. Then I remembered the pile. Sure enough there was a nice piece of burgundy in there.

In the fifteen plus years since I bought this leather, my skiving skills have improved a hundred fold. With the help of a brand new X-acto blade, I was able to transform that thick, bulky leather into thin, delicate padding.

I am pleased with the way this halter turned out, but more so, I am delighted that my hoarding has finally paid off. I'm never going to throw anything away again!

(kidding/not kidding)

In the groove

I try not to work on weekends, but sometimes I make exceptions. Right now I am really in the groove as far as tackmaking goes. I want to be sitting in my studio working on things, and I'm not going to deny myself just because it's Sunday.

Because of this, Anne's mule set is now finished.

In addition to having Anne's name on the cantle, the number pocket pad sports Anne's Region X shower number. There's no doubt who this set belongs to! 

Since mules can be a little lacking in the withers department, I added a breastplate. The pictures are dark so you can't tell, but the long shoulder straps are raised. 

I really enjoyed making this set. Hopefully, the next one will go just as smoothly!

Anne's saddle

This week's saddle looks a lot like last week's saddle.

There is, however, one noticeable difference.

Hope you like it, Anne!

Happy birthday to my Mom

Long studio days don't make for interesting blog posts. Since today's progress picture is virtually identical to last Tuesday's, I'm going to skip the show and tell and share the only picture I have of my Mom with a horse.

Happy birthday, Mom! I love you.

I did it!

Today I put fifteen photos in an envelope.

I included a two dollar entry fee and a SASE. 

That's a self addressed, self stamped envelope for you young 'uns!

Then I took everything to the post office and sent it on its way.

This is my first photo show entry in five years.

I'm so excited!

MEPSA saddle

I felt kind of bad about goofing off yesterday and not finishing that saddle, so I stayed up late working on it. I didn't go to bed until it was done. Or, at least, mostly done. 

It still needed stirrup leathers and irons,

a girth, 

a saddle pad... 

and a nameplate! 

Since this saddle is a donation to MEPSA, I decided it would be fun to give it a "MEPSA" nameplate. This can be removed easily if its eventual owner doesn't like it.

Whew! I'm glad that's done. Now it's back to that harness!

I blame Collyn

I thought that saddle would be finished by now, but the day has gotten away from me. I blame Goldie,

Santana, 

and Collyn.

Yeah, mostly I blame Collyn.

Finished saddle pictures tomorrow. I promise!