Diamond 57 Cowboy Boot Purses

A Creative & Stylish Way to Preserve the Memorable Tales of Your Cowboy Boots   

The Diamond 57 Cowboy Boot Bag is the original design by Sue Roake of Gresham, Oregon. Sue created this unique bag when her husband had an accident and could no longer wear his boots. She thought, "What a shame to just have these handcrafted boots sitting in the closet when they've had such wonderful adventures traveling and showing our miniature horses!" Sue was inspired to preserve those memories in a useful, creative and stylish way. Each boot has a tale to tell about where it's been and what it has endured. Some came from the easy life of the dance floor; others are hard-worked cowhide straight from the ranch. Each purse is made from authentic, leather, vintage cowboy boots.  The handle is also made from working stock, all leather, embellished with silver, crystals, and western buckles; some with horse bridles, head stalls, or bits. Every bag is guaranteed workmanship; however, all are enhanced with their own story to tell- a scar from the barbed wire fence or possibly a scuff from the hardwood floors they once graced. Sue says, "Each purse is an original, branded, signed and numbered by me!"

Diamond 57 Cowboy Boot Purses   

Gresham, Oregon 

503-756-1480

Deitra Robertson Real Estate

The Premier Farm, Ranch, and Horse Property Real Estate Firm in South Central Texas

Deitra Robertson Real Estate has the perfect place for you to call you and all of you accessories "home." Deitra holds the esteemed Accredited Land Consultant designation from the REALTORS® Land Institute. Both Team members, Kate Gibson and Chris George, are Candidates for the Accredited Land Consultant designation. The entire team is educated about what they do and offer that specialized knowledge to their clients. They all have farms and ranches, and they all ride horses. They live this life and want you to, as well. They understand minerals, water, wind, easements, and all of the nuances of buying and selling land.

Windy Hill Ranch 3,000+ Acres in Madisonville, Texas

Deitra has served as President of the Texas REALTORS® Land Institute and the Colorado REALTORS® Land Institute- the only RLI member to have been President of a state chapter in two states! Deitra's team is licensed in three states- Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico- to further assist their Texas ranch buyers who want hunting and recreation properties in these beautiful states.

Their goal is plain and simple- to serve clients, so that their selling or buying experience is the best experience they have ever experienced! Click here to view Deitra's quarterly e-Journal featuring several beautiful properties and some great informational articles!

Deitra Robertson Real Estate

Hempstead, Texas 

979-921-9470 

Leather Braiding by John

Combining Soft Kangaroo Leather with the Time-Honored Skills of Braiding & Knot-Tying

Leather Braiding by John 

Spokane, Washington 

509-342-8052

Rendezvous West

Sharing with You the Rocky Mountain West through Fine Leather Jewelry, Wood Turnings, Leather Vessels, and Wall Art

Whether it's their fine leather jewelry, wood turnings, leather vessels, or wall art, the rustle of Aspen leaves, a fresh mountain breeze, distant Native American songs, and the life of the Western Cowboy are brought to mind through the work of Deborah and Russell Shamah. "Through our work, we want to provide you with a place to rendezvous with us, sharing with you a part of the Rocky Mountain West- the place we call home."

Words like "unusual" and "earthy, but refined" are often used to describe the art created by Deborah and Russell Shamah. The Shamah's sculptured leather, wood vessels, fine leather jewelry, and drawings capture the energy and experience of the Rocky Mountain West- both past and present. 

In 2003, Russell and Deborah Shamah's work evolved into what they are sharing with you today, award-winning art under their own label- Rendezvous West.  Their original works of art are proudly made in America.

Find Rendezvous West in the upcoming weeks at the 114th Annual Strawberry Days Festival and Artisan Fair in Glenwood, Coloroado, and at Brian Lebel's Old West Show & Auction in Denver. Click here for more information on these great events!

Rendezvous West 

Lakewood, Colorado 

303-669-4126

Tejas Custom Boots

A One-of-a-Kind Fit

When it comes to custom boots, no two pairs are exactly alike. No two feet are exactly alike either, for that matter. Mike Kuykendahl, who owns Tejas Custom Boots in Houston, has seen a lot of feet in his 23 years in the business.

"People buy custom boots because of the quality of the material and the workmanship," Mike says. Manufacturing custom-fit boots by hand was the norm when boots first became popular in the early part of the 20th century. "When you're handcrafting something, you're not striving for speed. You're looking at accuracy and detail," he says. That means customers won't find any computers at Mike's shop, but they will find a 1950's Singer sewing machine. Lemonwood pegs are used instead of nails in the soles because pegs expand and contract with the leather, creating a stronger seal.

Alvaro Rivera and Antonio Moreno team up with Mike to create the made-to-measure boots. "One person doesn't make the entire boot. It's a process with several steps," Mike says. Although he buys the skins and does some design work, these days his focus is on running the operation. "You can't make boots unless you sell them," he says. "I do rodeos, I do shows, I do benefits."

Moreno and Rivera do most of the hands-on work. They trace each customer's feet using a pen and a piece of cardboard. Then, they make a mold, taking into account such things as a high instep or a bunion. Next, they discuss with the customer the heel and toe style, the skin, and the topstitching. Finally, they make the boot pattern, put the skin over it, and add decorative touches, such as the customer's initials.

Ostrich skin boots are the most popular, though Tejas has also used cowhide, alligator, kangaroo, shark, bison, and water buffalo.

"Most people who get custom boots are making a statement of some kind," says Mike, who himself favors a pair of alligator boots he made. One thing's for sure, you don't have to be a cowboy to don a pair of these sweet-looking soles. Tejas recently made a pair of boots for the prime minister of Ethiopia and for the president of Honduras.

Tejas Custom Boots 

Houston, Texas 

713-524-9860

Texas Music Chart

Your Guide to Texas and Red Dirt Music

While the Eli Young Band holds on to the #1 spot on the Texas Music Chart for the 6^th consecutive week. They may need to start watching their backs. For the second week in a row, Kevin Fowler makes the biggest jump with his new tune "Hell Yeah, I Like Beer." The single jumped an impressive 13 spots from #44 to #31.   

Cory Morrow's "Lead Me On" takes over the #2 spot this week with James Lann's "Halfway to Houston," Bleu Edmondson's "Blood Red Lincoln," and Reckless Kelly's "I Hold the Bottle, You Hold the Wheel" rounding out the top five.  

New on the Chart this week is Adam Hood with "Flame and Gasoline" at #42 and "Here In This Town" by Kyle Bennett at #49.

News, Sales, & Events

DOUBLE D RANCHWEAR FALL TRUNK SHOW AT DESPERADO COUTURE! 

Join Desperado THIS WEEKEND for a trunk show featuring fall fashions from Double D Ranchwear. Special guest Kim Seltzer of Leadville will be there, too, with her handmade leather belts, buckles, and cuffs- vintage fashion with a western flair. Kim is happy to fill a custom order or you can leave the store with her treasures in hand. This is a weekend you won't want to miss!

Double D Fall Trunk Show

June 10th- 12th

10:00 AM- 6:00 PM

Desperado Couture  

330 SW Powerhouse Dr.

Bend, Oregon

Things to Do Comin' up Soon

Here is a short list of things comin' up soon. Be sure to check out the entire event calendar on TheWesternVault.com for a complete list of great western events all over the United States! 

• June 4-12: Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association Redbud Spectacular- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• June 10-12: 17st Annual Sisters Rodeo- Bend, Oregon
• June 10-12: Western States Horse Expo- Sacramento, California
• June 10-12: Double D Ranchwear Trunk Show at Desperado Couture- Bend, Oregon
• June 16-25: Reno Rodeo- Reno, Nevada
• June 17-19: Loveland Old West Round-Up Western Collectible Show- Loveland, Colorado
• June 17-19: 114th Annual Strawberry Days Festival & Artisan Fair- Glenwood Springs, Colorado 
• June 18: Dave Alexander & His Big Texas Swing Band at Arlington Music Hall- Arlington, Texas  
•  June 20: American Cancer Society Golf Tournament: Fight Cancer on the Links- Rapid City, South Dakota
• June 24- 26: Brian Lebel's Old West Show & Auction- Denver, Colorado
• June 24- 26: End of Trail World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting & Wild West Jubilee- Edgewood, New Mexico
• June 24- July 4: Greeley Stampede- Greeley, Colorado
• June 27- July 3: 75th Annual Ponoka Stampede- Ponoka, Alberta   
• June 28- July 4: Prescott Frontier Days- Prescott, Arizona