Jon Mendiola

Jon Mendiola, a native Idahoan, was raised in a ranching family. His parents, who migrated from the Basque Country of Spain in pursuit of employment opportunities, built a life working on a cow-calf operation, where they raised their family before retiring.

Jon worked alongside his father on the ranch, cultivating a deep appreciation for the ranching lifestyle. In 2003, Jon married the love of his life and continued to work with his father until 2005, when unfortunate circumstances forced him to leave the ranch and pursue an alternative career path.

During his time on the ranch, Jon developed a fascination with the art of rawhide braiding. Although his early attempts to learn the craft from books were challenging, his passion for the art never wavered. In 2013, Jon and Steve Derricott applied for and received the TRAap Apprenticeship Grant from the Idaho Commission of the Arts. This opportunity allowed Jon to refine his skills, learning the finer points of hide preparation and the fundamentals of rawhide braiding. Through the apprenticeship, several projects were completed, and the resulting work was showcased at the Murphy Days festivities in Murphy, Idaho.

Building on this foundation, Jon continued to hone his craft, experimenting with various hide preparation methods and techniques. Guidance from renowned braiders such as Bret Haskett, Kirby Orme, and others helped him elevate his skills. Today, Jon’s braiding work is highly sought after by working cowboys and rawhide enthusiasts alike.