Having learned from his father, Frank Schwegel started creating art from horseshoes as a means to reflect his own personal style.  "My father made pieces from horseshoes for years and gave them as gifts, Frank said. "When I started it was to decorate my home."  Turning horseshoes into art was a natural way to combine his creativity with his love for horses. It didn't take long for his friends to take notice of his unique designs and begin placing their own custom orders.

Frank's creations are limited only by his own imagination. Some of his smaller designs include wall mounted crosses, shamrocks, hearts and welcome signs.  His larger designs feature life-sized depictions of dogs, bald eagles and horse and bull heads. He also makes unique and functional horseshoe wine racks.

Frank's designs are clearly influenced by a lifetime in the west. Growing up in Montana and spending 40 years traveling in the logging trade have filled his head with an unlimited supply of artistic inspiration.  Those images continue to be fueled daily by riding horses with his wife, Kathy, on their ranch near Rapid City, South Dakota.  "In the last year I retired and started doing my art full-time. I'm currently working on a 3/4 scale stage coach," Frank said. He added, "Returning to do shows in Montana is great because it will always be home."

You can find a sampling of Frank's work at booth #645 inside the Montana Pavilion. He always enjoys talking about his pieces and swapping a few horse stories. You can find more about Frank's designs at www.facebook.com/ranchhorseshoeart and more information about the MATE Show and Home and Health Expo at www.themateshow.com.