Western Atelier DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Volume 1, Issue 3 August 2017
Always Bet On The Dark Horse Outdoor Inspired Jewelry is a Family Affair
Fall Fashion Trends
Bobbie Tryan
Untamed Accessories; Buck Wild Custom Wild Rags
Texi Boots; Where Will Your Texi’s Take You? Flawless Footwear;
Keeping Up With Trends Planning for the NFR with Haley Corkill
How to Make The Most of Every Look
Editor’s Letter….. Dear Readers, Welcome to the third issue! This month focuses on yet again, some amazing designers, boutiques, and more. I am a big supporter of small businesses and local business and want to continue to spread awareness of the importance of shopping with them. I also included some amazing contributions on NFR prep and outfit selection as well as a spotlight on footwear! I hope you continue to enjoy these articles and enjoy getting to know business backgrounds, start up stories, and what makes businesses tick! Thank you for reading and for your continued support and encouragement!
On the Cover...
Brandi Michelle of Western Atelier Photo by Pooley Photography
Again, THANK YOU to all involved in making this a reality, and thank you to the readers! If you or someone you know would like to be, or should be featured in next month’s issue, please reach out to me!!! XOXO,
Model: Michelle Manningham Boots: Texi Boots
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Flawless Footwear
Tips for a Footwear Wow Factor Taking the Fashion Industry by storm, mother-daughter team, Bobbi Palczewski and Jessie Palczewski-Longbrake create quality one of a kind pieces that have quickly become one of the most popular brands in Western Fashion today.
Cheyenne Borchert Hey there! My name is Cheyenne Borchert and I am a lover of all things turquoise, fur, and anything that dares to be different! My faith, family, horses and the western heritage stay close to my heart! _________________________ To many, wearing a pair of boots is a lifestyle, to some it means a hard day of work on the ranch, and to others it means rocking some hot footwear to showcase the latest designs in the Western Industry. What lights a match to your style? Perhaps it’s a fabulous pair of tall Old Gringos? Maybe it is a pair of exotic booties to strut the runway of the rodeo trail? Or your infatuation may be a unique pair of wedges to add a twist to your individual style? Today’s Western lifestyle is not restricted to a pair of cowboy boots. It can be a multitude of styles from Boho, Native American, glamour, chic, or my personal favorite; vintage retro. We are blessed to have a fashion industry that allows a variety of personalities to shine through footwear and looks that can be combined to create the ultimate masterpiece. The many designers who create timeless pieces of art, from the contrasting styles to the unique work that goes into establishing their brand, are remarkable.
Old Gringo Almost Famous Boots Photo: Used with permission from Dixie Soul Western Boutique Let’s take a moment to applaud Double D and Old Gringo for the impressive Western boot; The Almost Famous. The stitching and detail that went into this boot that is part of the Spring 2018 line is absolutely stunning. This line was inspired by the daring 70’s era where icons like Stevie Nicks, Gram Parsons, and Lynyrd Skynyrd influenced both music and fashion. The warm earthy colors and funky retro floral print stitching complement this Penny Lane vibe. 3
Double D Ranch said it best in their Southern Rock Spring 2018 sales catalog, “Double D Ranch taps into this music centric and very much free spirit mood of the 70s by combining the styles of the wild west and the emerging “new” boho trend.” With the National Finals Rodeo and The American Rodeo right around the corner, these pointed-toe boots could not make a more flawless statement. The outfits that can be paired with these fabulous “Almost Famous” boots are endless from fur to leather jackets to skirts to dresses to leggings. Pre-orders are being taken at Dixie Soul Western Boutique before they arrive this fall. Dolly Parton once said, “When I’m feeling a little low, I put on my favorite high heels to stand a little taller.” Was she right or was she right? The empowering feeling of an extraordinary pair of wedges or high heels is indescribable. I’m a true fan of handmade leather shoes because the quality of work put into constructing them can’t be beat. These custom-made wedge sandals built by Brandi Michelle of Western Atelier are a timeless fashion statement that can be worn throughout the seasons.
Old Gringo Almost Famous Boots Photo: Used with permission from Dixie Soul Western Boutique
Custom Tooled Wedges by Brandi Michelle of Western Atelier, Tooling By Cody Wainscott Photo: Pooley Photography Everyone can use a few (or in my case, A LOT) of leopard print shoes in their closet. It’s an in-demand pattern that women use to accentuate their outfits. The “Bella Marie” wedge, sold at Buckin Wild Boutique, can be dressed up for special occasions or dressed down for a more casual look. It has a wide heel making it more durable and comfortable for a night out, at the rodeo, or for everyday wear.
“Bella Marie” Wedge Sandals Photo: Used with permission from Buckin Wild Boutique Photo by Lacey Moranville Photography
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My mouth dropped the moment I saw these remarkable wedges. Made in Italy, they are 100% handmade with a wraparound leather band that makes them adjustable. These original fringe wedges will definitely turn heads this fall. The new and diverse styles in fashion are highlighted in this column and I hope it inspires you to complement your wardrobe with a pair…or two. BedStu Red Fringe Peep Toe Wedges Photo: Used with permission from Buck Fergeson Originals and photographed by Estelle Photography
-Cheyenne Borchert
These BedStu wedges are smoking hot for this fall’s fashion trends, not to mention red is the “in” color this season. This extraordinary brand is my absolute favorite and there aren’t enough good things to say about them. A company that strives for quality, comfort, and boldness hits the nail on the head every time.
El Vaquero Italy Wedges Photo: Used with permission from Buck Fergeson Originals and photographed by Estelle Photography
BedStu Red Fringe Peep Toe Wedges Photo: Used with permission from Buck Fergeson Originals and photographed by Estelle Photography
Follow Cheyenne Borchert’s column each month for the hottest Western footwear trends!
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Texi Boots;
Dreaming in Shades of Pink Owner and Founder of Texi Boots, Michelle Manningham dreams in shades of pink. With her dreams becoming reality, she aims to take the Western Fashion Industry by storm while giving back and making dreams come true for others.
Brandi Michelle
Small town east Texas; Longview to be exact, is where the queen of pink hails from. Michelle Manningham dreams in shades of pink; pink boots that is. After her dreams became a reality, she has hit the ground running with her boot line from Texi Boots. At the age of 19 years old, Manningham was living in Chicago, Illinois where the initial idea for the Texi Boot brand struck her like a ton of bricks. While shopping on ritzy Michigan Avenue, she visited a Christian Louboutin store and decided her first pair of Louboutin’s would be cowgirl boots with red bottoms. Realizing such beauties didn’t exist, all of her girlfriends left the store with a pair of Louboutin’s, but Manningham left with a dream. Manningham wanted a pair of cowgirl boots that would be as recognizable as Louboutin shoes. With her love of the color pink, she knew she wanted to incorporate it into her cowgirl boot line dreams. After her brief move to Chicago, Manningham knew her destiny was in Texas and returned home to The Lone Star State. Once back home, she continued to dream up a boot line that would capture her personality, her passion, and most importantly, allow her to make her dream a reality.
Michelle Manningham For Texi Boots One of her first steps was to pick a memorable name for her new boot line. She wanted something that sounded Texan and a little bit sexy, which led her to fall in love with the name Texi Boots. Manningham said, “Since I was from Texas and the dream was birthed from a Texan, it only felt right to fly my flag high and stomp my boots loud as a little fiery Texan.” 7
Manningham was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, knowing that someone loves her dream as much as she does.
Brandi Michelle of Western Atelier For Texi Boots Photo: Pooley Photography The Texi Boot line dream officially launched after sitting on a shelf for 9 years. “I unfortunately was in relationships where I was forced to put my dreams on the backburner in pursuit of what “they” (insert your dream-stealers here) wanted for my life,” said Manningham. Once she was free from and negative influences, she began to put the work in place to find the perfect manufacturer to make her dreams come true. After two failed attempts with manufacturers, Manningham wasn't ready to give up and she found the perfect partner who believed in her dream as much as she did; they got to work. Texi Boots became a reality and was officially launched in July 2017. Manningham said, “finding balance in the midst of chaos will be a life-long journey.” She is still currently working full-time in corporate sales, but could not put Texi Boots on the back burner any longer. The first boot orders came from very enthusiastic friends and family with her first order coming through the day after the launch. It was an emotional moment for Manningham with 9 years of tears streaming down her face.
Knowing in her heart this is only the beginning for Texi Boots, she has pursued many avenues to spread the word about her new line. She has found Facebook to be such a strong networking tool with unlimited access to boutiques, retailers, and Western Fashion Influencers. She has met like-minded women who have expressed love for her brand and have become brand ambassadors for her. Manningham would love to see Texi Boots worldwide and being loved by all who purchase a pair which led to the creation of her brad slogan and campaign;“where will your Texi’s take you?” With this slogan leading the way, she has had women doing photoshoots all across the United States with her original pair of Texi Boots. In just the the first month alone, her original Texi Boots made their way to photoshoots in Nashville, Wyoming, Montana, New York, East Texas and soon to be Paris. Everything Manningham does is full of heart and “sole” and her goal is to have women feel empowered to leave a piece of their “sole” everywhere they go.
Michelle Manningham For Texi Boots
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Her favorite part of her journey since launching the Texi Boot brand this year, has been the beautiful women she has met along the way. “It has been so empowering to hear stories from women who have heard my story of pulling a 9 year dream off the shelf and getting to work and what that has translated for their own goals and dreams. I tell women to dance through life with a passion as bold as her sole,” said Manningham. She feels that women can accomplish the most amazing things with a whole lot of grit and a good pair of boots. To Manningham, hard work is just the beginning to beautiful dreams coming true and she has created just the pair of boots to do that in. Fast forward to September 2017, the biggest challenge for Manningham was finding a manufacturer that could get it right. The process took an entire year, a lot of sleepless nights and a lot of tears. “To anticipate a sample pair coming back to you, only to open the box and see something so far from what you envisioned in your mind can be heartbreaking,” remarked Manningham. .
She began by reaching out to boot manufacturers and asking them if they would private label her boots for her. That lead her to her current manufacturer, who is based out of Mercedes, Texas and has helped make the Texi Boot dream a reality. All things Texi Boots are handmade by artisans in Mexico. The most beautiful part of the Texi Boot dream, is that 10% of all profits from the Texi Boot brand at the end of each year, will be going to help support a women entrepreneur start her own business. Anyone who purchases a pair of Texi Boots will be included in the voting process. Manningham says this is the heart behind the Texi Boot brand. The goal is for Texi Boots to be a must-have in every womans closet. Manningham wants them to be a staple piece that reminds women to be brave, and in fearless pursuit of their dreams. She wants her boot line to remind women that if a small-town girl from east Texas can pick up a tattered dream and start chasing it, that there is nothing within their beautiful hearts that they cannot accomplish. Find Texi Boots online at www.texiboots.com ______________ Find Texi Boots on Facebook at facebook.com/TexiBoots _____________ Find Texi Boots on Instagram at @texiboots
Texi Boots in Nashville Photo: Tawny Nichelle Photography 9
Fall Fashion Trends;
Looking Your Best with Bobbi Tryan The smell of pumpkin spice is in the air, the leaves are putting on a show of colors, and temperatures are beginning to drop. With the changing of the seasons, comes the changing of fashion. Bobbi Tryan talks all things fall fashion!
Bobbie Tryan Photo by Hannah Hogner
Spending long periods of time on the road, visiting a different city or region on a regular basis, and having to pack strategically is something that blogger, fashionista, and rodeo wife Bobbie Tryan is no stranger to. Bobbie travels all over the country with her husband Clay and their three boys, Tyler, Braylon, and Dash. She has always had a love of all things fashion and believes in not letting a little rodeo dirt limit her personal style. ___________
Bobbie Tryan
It's that time of year...Long sultry days are being replaced with shorter cooler ones. Summer is coming to an end, and the color of the leaves is not the only thing changing; our wardrobes are changing as well. Even though I think most of us love fall fashion, where you live can definitely have an impact on how much you get to embrace all things fall.
If you have been waiting all summer to wear your favorite leggings, this is finally your time. A fall/winter staple for me is a great pair of leather leggings because they can be edgy, sexy and smart. If you prefer a pair of classic black leggings instead, they are perfect in so many ways as well.
While some are already wearing cozy sweaters and sipping pumpkin spice lattes, others who live in warmer climate areas, are feeling the heat (literally) to participate in the fall fashion game preferably while looking autumn chic and not summer sticky. Fortunately, the fall staples that we all love can be styled to fit whatever transition in climate you are enjoying at the moment. As the days continue to get colder, you can easily change up those great staples on into stunning winter looks.
With the still present warmer days calling for jacketless fashion, leggings paired with an off the shoulder tunic and statement booties is a great way to go. If you have a pair of open toe booties you love, this is the perfect way to get the last little bit of wear out of them before the cold hits. As the temperatures drop, it’s time to start adding warmer layers, striking accessories and statement boots to your look to stay warm, yet stay stylish. 11
A variety of jackets will always look great with your favorite dress from spring or summer. If you prefer shorter dresses, another great look can happen with a long loose knit cardigan, so cozy chic. Take advantage of that shorter hemline and show off that great pair of tall boots or booties you love so much. Even through the cooler months, don't forget about the versatility of shorts.. Reinvent your favorite pair by adding tights, boots, and either a long duster for added drama or a classic blazer for a hint of sophistication. Bobbie Tryan Maxi dresses are so great and versatile for fall. I love a solid colored maxi paired with a great fur vest or a great blazer. You could also go with a classic solid colored blazer, a bold print, posh velvet or get your shine on in a sequin blazer. As it gets colder, transition that floral maxi that you bought this spring and add an edgy leather jacket for instant fall chic style. The floral prints alongside the edginess in the leather, make a perfect juxtaposition. Don’t forget to add some great accessories such as a wild rag and a belt for a bit of drama.
Accessories are always a must, and fall accessories are no exception. Less heat makes it easier to participate in the more is more theory while also giving you the chance to wear all your favorites from summer in a new way.
When thinking about footwear, choosing sandals or booties is a great option depending on the temperature. Speaking of footwear, if you pick a dress with a high slit, pull out that confidence and most definitely wear a sexy pair of tall boots. For those living where it's still quite warm, don't put away those shorter hemlines yet. Keep them in your fall rotation and wear them on into winter.
Bobbie Tryan
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Fall has always been famous for it's gorgeous colors, distinct scents, and fall fashion. By adding fall's deep hues to your wardrobe, you can instantly freshen up your style. Some of my favorite colors are sultry Bordeaux, dark green, navy, mustard, and stunning shades of gray. Rich copper tones add warmth and also look amazing with so many other colors. Don't be afraid to mix colors you never have before because combining unusual colors make for an incredible impact and adds a wow factor to your look. Bobbie Tryan
My personal favorite fall accessory is a great felt hat. These showstoppers are a must have in my opinion. The perfect hat works with just about any outfit, elevating your look and keeping your head warm. It's also a fantastic way to show off your personal style through fun colors, custom shapes, hat bands and hat pins. Wild rags are the perfect fall accessory. They work very well in changing temperatures with fantastic fall colors and fun prints dressing up a basic outfit. Another great way to accessorize with them is to take an already dressed up look to that extra level of exceptional with a unique pattern. Wild rags can be worn in so many different styles with a few favorite ways being around your neck, in your hair, or even on your handbag; limitless options. Don’t forget to layer up with everything from dainty chokers to long oversize pendants to create a look all your own.
I hope these next few months are your most stylish yet! Stay chic and warm babes! -Bobbie Tryan
For more on Bobbie Tryan,, follow her on Instagram @stylishly.tryan
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Planning Ahead;
Tips to Make The Most Out Your NFR Looks Anxiety, awkwardness, nervous jitters...These terms are frequently heard before a photoshoot whether you are a fashion influencer, celebrity, or professional model. Haley Corkill is no stranger to the lense and she shares some of her tips and tricks to nailing your photoshoot each and every time.
Haley Corkill Hi! My name is Haley Corkill and I am the mom of two sweet boys, the wife of a rodeo cowboy, and a fashion super fan to say the least. Traveling, fashion and family is a big part of my life and for that, I feel extremely fortunate! ____________
With the 2017 rodeo season on its way out, you've guessed it, it's time to start planning your NFR vacation! Over the years I have figured out ways to "Vegas-up" outfits that I already have tucked away in my closet. Let’s be honest, some outfit choices are specifically geared to the Vegas scene and we probably wouldn't wear them anywhere else. I had a really hard time spending a lot of money on clothes that would hardly get worn. Which brings me to my next point; looking for second hand or resale clothing in places like The Bleacher Babe’s Closet on Facebook. You can get really great Vegas looks at a fraction of the original price on these sites which I personally love. Another way I like to express an edgy Vegas look is with shoes because a great pair of fun, sexy shoes can really make an outfit.
One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is that you can go out of your style comfort zone and try new things within the fashion world. You can dress up or have more of a street style because it's Vegas and that means ANYTHING goes...well almost Some of my favorite places to check out are LuLu's, Zara, and Express for some of my NFR outfits. I like chic looks that I can sprinkle a little western on. In my opinion, there is no one way to wear an outfit. Finding your base look is key and then start adding your personality to it. My advice for the NFR is to have fun with your outfit, add a few sequins or some fringe. Be bolder with your makeup and don’t forget to layer on the jewelry and above all else, shoes! If you've found "that pair," make sure to buy them; you won't regret it. I can't wait to see the outfit inspiration making it's way through my social media news feed! Happy planning, dolls!
For more on Haley Corkill, follow her on Instagram @hcorkill
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Always Bet on the Dark Horse;
Outdoor-Inspired Jewelry is a Family Affair‌.. Every great idea has a great story behind it and Dark Horse Limited is no different. The Gallagher Family has dreamed up outdoor inspired jewelry with a one of kind twist. Read about their start, their designs, and how you can find out more.
Brandi Michelle Let me start by introducing ourselves and the other members of the Dark Horse Limited family. My name is Shannon Gallagher and Together with my lovely wife, Dana Duvall-Gallagher, we have created and developed several lines of outdoors-inspired jewelry. When we met seven years ago, my wife was the single mother of two beautiful daughters, and I, a lucky yet lonely ranch hand, waiting for love or lightning to strike me once again. I got both that summer. We were married the next spring on June 21, 2012. We chose our wedding date to celebrate the solstice and enjoyed the irony of it truly being the longest day of the year. Since then, Dana has blessed me with two more beautiful children, a boy and a girl. We have 4 children that range in age from 4 years, to 20 years old. I suspect my polished appreciation for jewelry and loose understanding of fashion, and color matching, is born from living in a house with 5 girls.
Our family currently lives in the Gallatin Valley, near Bozeman, Montana, in the south central part of the state. I grew up in the timbered mountains of Western Montana, in the Missoula and Flathead Valleys. Dana is originally from the little mountain town of Philipsburg, Montana in the Flint Creek Valley. We are native Montanans and are born with a lifelong passion for the outdoor adventures that this great state has to offer.
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This film gives you a sense of the ruggedness in the unforgiving mountain environments here, and a taste of our local history. Sometimes, in the woods along the river, you can swear to hear the whispered voices of those that came before us.
As a family, we enjoy hiking and exploring the many old mining camps, historic sites, and wilderness areas around us. We bow hunt and rifle hunt for big game, hunt upland birds and waterfowl each fall, and are avid fishermen, (well, mostly fisherwomen.) We love floating and fishing the rivers near our home. The Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison rivers flow near us and combine to become the headwaters of the great Missouri river just a few miles up the road from our front door. This area had been historic native trapping ground for several millennia, long before Lewis and Clark ventured through this very trail, searching for a route to the Pacific Ocean.
We feel truly blessed that our children have followed in our footsteps with their love and thirst for adventure. Our two youngest children caught their first fish with Spiderman and Barbie fishing poles near here. Our 6 year old daughter is now casting like a pro with her first spinning reel and excited to learn how to fly fish. It is truly a blessed and beautiful sight to see all of our children fishing, hunting, hiking, floating and enjoying all of our outdoor interests with us.
Living here on such haunted and hallowed ground, you can’t help to imagine and sense a world, as it was, in simpler, yet harder times. The area and lifestyle in which we live has been exposed to the rest of our great nation through motion pictures, such as ‘The Revenant’; the amazing, mostly-true, story of Hugh Glass and Jim Bridger in the fur trapping days of the Northwest Territory and the birth of the American West. 17
Over the last few years, Dana and I have had some rotten luck with personal injuries. Dana had major knee surgery in September of 2016 and was unable to walk for 6 weeks. This was the 5th knee surgery that she has endured. I, myself, have undergone five separate shoulder surgeries over the last 10 years. The bright side is that we’ve both been able to adapt to lifestyle changes and to help each other heal. The even brighter side is that Dana and I are the kind of people who take advantage of our forced down time to learn something new. Since I’ve known her, Dana has been very handy with craftwork, definitely an artist of the highest order in every project she undertakes, whether needlepoint, quilting, furniture antiquing, pallet wood construction, etc. As she prepared for the solitude of knee surgery last fall, she decided to broaden her craft skills by studying and experimenting with some satin and hemp jewelry designs. She ordered the materials and did very well at learning the knotting techniques, as well as incorporating creative designs by adding beads to make necklaces and bracelets.
Fortunately, Dana quickly grew tired of just tying knots. She began searching Youtube for new beading projects and was excited to find a tutorial on making rosaries. Many of my family members are Catholic and she proceeded to make all the ladies uniquely personal rosaries as Christmas gifts. Dana quickly found a great passion for beading and ordered a variety of beads, and began designing patterns to make other jewelry. She wanted to devise a way to incorporate a .45 Long Colt pistol casing into a beaded women’s ring. She asked if I might be able to cut bullet casings for her use, so I jumped in with both hands, put together a machine shop in our basement, and began pioneering multiple machining processes to cut and finish bullet casings of various calibers and gauges. I soon began turning out very high quality materials for “bullet jewelry.”(Never challenge a Machinist with a metal project!) As we looked at the bullet jewelry available locally and on the internet, we found she had come up with a one of a kind idea with the beaded casing rings. From there, Dana and I started to discuss other unique ideas that would incorporate bullet casings, as well as other iconic outdoor items, that the outdoor lovers of Montana and America would be interested in without leaning on other crafter’s designs. Our goal was to bring new and original ideas to the public. To provide the highest quality of products was of the utmost importance to us. The term we adopted was “Heirloom Quality”
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Calving season in Western Montana leaves little room for grief or error, so I went to pull calves on the ranch that I can always call home. For several cold, sleepless days and nights I made my rounds through the snow, feeding horses, checking pregnant cows and first year heifers. I only had to pull a few calves that week, but I felt like I was helping to save a way of life for a family I will always feel a part of.
One day, while repairing my wife’s recliner with a piece of copper electrical wire, I decided to try my hand at braiding or twisting wire to make a copper bracelet for myself; to see what I could come up with. In my careers as a ranch hand, as a machinist and as an underground miner, I had met several folks who swore by wearing copper bracelets for relief from arthritis and other chronic pain. Having a few aches and pains of my own, I gave it a shot, and created a simple twisted and hammered copper wire design. It was something a working man could be proud to wear. Something a working man could be proud to build. It was my initiation into becoming a jeweler, I suppose.
Checking cows one of those mornings, I noticed the twisted copper bracelet Big George had always worn sitting on the dash of the farm truck. I don’t know where or when he’d gotten it, I just remember him wearing it when he’d stop by the house to see how we were, and to laugh with us. It was scarred and polished from years of wear. As I held it, it brought me back to my earliest memories of that ranch; driving all night to get there for opening morning of hunting season and walking right into my first bull elk, hiding among the cattails along the pond for a shot at the last flight of Canadian geese before dark, mending fences and the smell of warm horses after a long day of moving cows to summer pasture.
A few weeks after making my own wire bracelet, I got word that a dear friend of mine, a Montana rancher, had been badly hurt in an atv accident and might not make it. He was like a grandfather to me. When Big George passed away, it left a heck of a hole in our world. I asked his family what I could do to help, like everyone who loves them did, while his kids picked up where he left off. 19
It hit me, that morning, if I could figure out a way to twist the bullet casings into a copper wire bracelet; I would have designed something unique that I could be proud of, something Big George would have been proud to wear. I have since considered the inspiration for my twisted copper bullet bracelets as George’s last gift to me. Each of our unique products has an inspiration rooted in the outdoor work we’ve done and the play we’ve enjoyed growing up here in Montana. As another example, our barbed wire jewelry was inspired by the ranch work we do. My family has raised horses for many generations. Barbwire and horses have never mixed, for us. So after my folks bought more property to pasture horses, we set about removing the old wire fence in order to build something a little easier on the hide. As we were cussing and cutting ourselves rolling up the barbwire, it occurred to me what a symbol of the American West barbwire has been. Barbwire was the end of free range grazing in the west, the end of the great cattle drives from Mexico to Canada, but the beginning of good neighbors working together to keep things right.
At the beginning of creek fishing season this year, Dana had made a beautiful beaded bracelet in orange and copper colors. It took me several days to realize that the color pattern reminded me of salmon flies, and the salmon fly hatch in early spring here in the northwest. Trout gorge themselves on these salmon flies and provide fisherman with an opportunity to catch them in some of the fastest paced fly-fishing in the world! The salmon fly colored bracelet led us into a discussion of whether it would be possible to bead bracelets that looked like the fish themselves. After some study of color and patterning, her Trout Skin bracelet series was born. With the development and introduction of our twisted copper bullet bracelets, barbwire jewelry, and Trout Skin bracelets, as well as our other original jewelry designs, Dana and I knew that we had produced several original designs that truly embodied our outdoor lifestyle. We hoped that other outdoorsy folks around the world would enjoy wearing our jewelry as much as we do building it! Our customers have made many unique requests and we have been successful in honoring each and every single one. We have prided ourselves on the continued product growth and talking to our customers to find what folks want to see. We began featuring Swarovski stones on our bullet jewelry, free of charge. I have recently incorporated high powered rare-earth neodymium magnets into our copper bracelets and am working on twisting elk ivory into a wire bracelet design.
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We pride ourselves on the heirloom quality of our jewelry, and the knowledge that many of our creations will, themselves, become family heirlooms.
I am also working on a design for barbwire hatbands. Upon request, Dana is currently working on new animal bracelet patterns including Merriam and Eastern turkey feathers, rattlesnake, arctic grayling, largemouth bass, northern pike, and several species of saltwater fish. She is also working patterns featuring popular fishing lures and dry flies. We have also been able to create many original pieces using customer provided materials and sentimental items. We have incorporated bullet casings that have been used to take big game animals on memorable hunts, first hunts and harvests of first time hunters. We recently produced custom jewelry pieces using bullets found in the treasures of a beloved family member whom had past many years ago. Dana and I were able to place those casings into jewelry that will be worn by the family for generations to come. This project was especially emotional for Dana as the bullets belonged to her great uncle Dick who has been gone for 20 some years now and of whom Dana had many of her best childhood memories.
Another recent project I must mention was as heartbreaking as it was beautiful. Dana and I have a friend whose husband passed away tragically and long before his time. Our friend mentioned that she had been wearing his wedding ring on a length of cord tied around her wrist to keep it close. The cord continued to wear and break and she was terrified of losing the ring forever. Dana set about creating a lasting design that was simple, comfortable, and durable using heavy leather cord and a high strength magnet clasp to create a bracelet she can wear everyday to continue celebrating the love they shared. Dana and our friend were both, understandably, emotionally overwhelmed by this heartfelt project and the stunning results. We are both very proud of the overwhelming success that our business, Dark Horse Limited, has acquired in such a short time. We’ve gone from a small Etsy shop to Dana building our website, working farmers markets and local festivals to selling wholesale lots to local retail shops. We’ve become members of the Chamber of Commerce in Manhattan, Montana and members of the Made in Montana program. We are also very proud to donate jewelry to be sold and auctioned. We have supported veteran’s causes, children’s health and welfare programs, cancer awareness and treatment programs. We welcome any opportunity to support our friends, neighbors and countrymen in need. 21
We are excited to continue to grow not only our business, but our children’s appreciation for the outdoors and our way of life here in the Rocky Mountains, and the self reliance and confidence that come from not only living here, but thriving gracefully in it. Thank you, Shannon and Dana Gallagher Dark Horse Limited
I have made great strides in promoting our products while saving the dollars that we cannot, as of yet, spend for advertising. I’ve never been much a salesman, but I’m finding my way in selling our one of a kind jewelry pieces. My wife says that I “don’t know any strangers,” and I guess that’s true, as we are all in this life together and paths cross for reasons that are greater than we know. Dana, however, is the polar opposite. She prefers to stay behind the scenes and work in solitude. She suffers from PTSD and the public eye is often too much attention for her to bear. The discovery of her artistic talent as a jeweler has definitely allowed her to concentrate on something positive in our lives and shed some of the anxiety that only those that have been cursed with PTSD can truly understand. Dana is certainly the backbone of this business and our family. Without her, I would probably still be a lonely ranch hand, raking hay and waiting on thunderstorms! Together, we can’t help but do our best and play to each other’s strengths.
Find Dark Horse Limited on Facebook at facebook.com/Darkhorselimited ________________ Find Dark Horse Limited on Instagram @DarkHorseLTD ______________ Visit Dark Horse Limited Online: www.darkhorselimited.com
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Untamed Accessorizing;
Bild Wild Custom Wild Rags Adding Flair…..
Bringing back a Cowboy Culture tradition in the modern Western Fashion Industry with style and flair
Brandi Michelle
Before Buck Wild Custom Wild Rags was a well known name in the Western Fashion game, Sharon’s story began in 2010 when her daughter, Sarah, suggested she sew some wild rags for a local charity ranch rodeo. Sharon said,“I thought she was crazy as it had been 20 years since I last made any wild rags for my anyone and my first thought was, who would want one of these things?” It wasn’t too long before Sharon’s creativity was jump started into high gear and she began sewing and shipping her self-proclaimed “beauties” all over the country. She has always had a love for agriculture and livestock and is a huge advocate of 4-H, FFA and Junior Rodeo. Sharon has raised all her children with this same passion for what makes this country strong; An honest day’s work for an honest day’s dollar. Some of the very best people Sharon knows have made their living riding horseback and living by the idea that a business deal is always sealed with a handshake, not a contract; The Code of the West. Sharon’s grandmother taught her how to sew at the young age of 9, and she has been sitting behind a sewing machine ever since.
Photo By: Casey Hardy Productions
One of her favorite parts has always been the thrill of the hunt when looking for that perfect fabric design. Sharon prides herself in the selection of non-traditional Wild Rag fabrics. Sharon stated, “ask any of my customers and they will tell you my favorite saying while out on the road selling my rags…”Life’s too short for a solid colored wild rag!”
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Sharon’s husband built an office/studio in their garage so she can keep her business separate from her home life while dreaming up her latest design, although being that close by, it doesn’t always go that easily. Sharon starts working around 9am and usually does not shut down until well after 5pm daily. When she’s not traveling out of town to purchase fabric, she is standing at the cutting table, sitting at the machine, answering phone calls, posting packages or sitting at her computer updating the Buck Wild website.
Photo By: Casey Hardy Productions Initially, Sharon had begun to notice that the cowboy culture in her area had began to fade. She knew she wanted to help regenerate that culture and way of living but needed to figure out how. She had been making wild rags for her daughters during their younger years, but had gotten away from it as they got older, bringing her to the idea that it might be a good time to bring them back into fashion.
She absolutely loves being a business owner with the option of working from her home. Sharon says that she can be a wife, mother, grandmother, AND fashion designer all rolled into one from the comfort of her home. She even has her 8 year old granddaughter sitting alongside her sewing on her sewing machine every now and then. She wants to show her that you can be ANYTHING you set your mind to.
Once Sharon decided to give it a try as a business, she needed a name that would not only be catchy, but capture the Cowboy Culture she longed to bring back. Originally, Sharon and her daughter thought of the name Buckaroo Wild, but ran into some issues with name similarities and had to change the name. It was then her daughter, Sarah, who thought Buck Wild was the winning choice. When asked about a typical day at Buck Wild, Sharon says, “I am a One Woman Show! I like to say One Woman. Two Hands. One Machine.” She stays busy and is usually on the go from the moment she wakes up.
Photo By: Casey Hardy Productions 24
When Sharon first started Buck Wild in 2010, social media was really in its infancy stages. It took a very long time to get products out there for anyone to think of you as legitimate. “I have a fabulous web designer who really knew who my target group was and worked very hard to get me in front of those who valued my product and saw it as more than just a “utility” item,” Sharon said. Instagram has been instrumental in taking Buck Wild to a whole new level in the Industry. Designer’s style and personality usually shows through in their products and this is no different for Sharon. She has always described herself as having an “outside the box” kind of personality. Fashion has always been something she has found interest in. When she talks about her favorite items and typical style, she says that her closet is a definite mix of Stevie Nicks and Junk Gypsy boasting an eclectic array of black tones, lace, velvet, fringe, leather, and suede.She also has a mass of turquoise jewelry, costume jewelry, and of course more boots and shoes than her husband will ever know she has! Sharon said, “Put it this way...I am NOT your typical Grandmother, I LOVE to dress up, even if it’s to go to the grocery store….and I never EVER leave the house without my face on.”
Photo By: Casey Hardy Productions Looking ahead, Sharon aspires to be featured in Cowboys and Indians Magazine. She has already made it into Western Horseman Magazine 3 times, been on the cover of APHA’s Chrome Magazine, as well as been featured in numerous articles. Sharon knows that if she didn’t keep to wild rag “etiquette,” she wouldn’t be able to be as creative as she has been and maintains the idea to always keep reaching for the stars!
Find Buck Wild on Facebook at facebook.com/BuckWildRags ________________ Find Dark Horse Limited on Instagram @Buck_Wild_Custom_Wild_Rags ______________ Visit Dark Horse Limited Online: www.buckwildrags.com Photo By: Casey Hardy Productions 25