Mike Skinner Living in Boise, Idaho, Mike focuses on braiding rawhide gear for the cowboy community. Mike’s interest in handcrafted cowboy gear began early in life, and he got his braiding start through the State of Washington’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship program. The goal with each piece of gear is to improve functionality and add refinements, … Read more
Levi Miller Levi Miller is a fifth generation rancher who, in his rare moments of spare time, enjoys braiding rawhide akin to the type of gear he grew up using. He began his braiding career as a teen with initial guidance from his father Gary Miller. From that point, he expanded his knowledge by spending … Read more
Justine Nelson-Graham Justine Nelson-Graham is a rawhide braider, leather worker and saddle maker who was born in the Magic Valley of Southern Idaho. Raised around horses and other livestock, Justine has always been fascinated by the western way of life; particularly the tack and equipment that are unique to its heritage. From childhood she sought … Read more
Dan Ames A native of Utah, Dan Ames began his braiding and leatherwork career in 1971. As a rodeo contestant, he learned to braid bull ropes to supplement his earnings. In 1973, one of his customers convinced him to apprentice in his saddle shop and build ropes on the side. Rawhide had always been a … Read more
Richard Foreman Richard Foreman was born and raised in a small town in Illinois where few would expect to find a future cattle rancher and rawhide braider. At 22 years old, he began packing and guiding for big game hunts in Idaho where he learned his love for working with horses. This love led him … Read more
Kelly Wahlen Kelly was born in Clearfield, Utah, on December 24, 1957, and was the only child of Jack and Mildred Wahlen. His dad owned a small piece of land in Clinton where he built a barn, corrals, stalls and a small track flanking the exterior of the land, later to have bucking chutes and … Read more
Kaylissa Wells-Smith I’m from Lewiston, Utah, where I currently reside, and my family runs around 100 head of cattle. I grew up riding and showing horses, helping out on the ranch and participating in many 4-H and FFA activities as well as reined cow horse competitions. When I first started horse 4-H, my dad gave … Read more
Albert Zwahlen I got my start braiding about 18 years ago when one of my good friends showed me how to braid eight strands of parachute cord into a set of reins. I knew then I wanted to keep making things braiding. Knowing I wanted to make these things, I wanted to make them better … Read more
Jesse Bolton Jesse Bolton is a first-generation cowboy residing in far northeast California. After seeing braided rawhide gear for the first time as a teenager, he developed an interest in learning how to make it himself. His career as a rawhide braider wouldn’t truly start until in 2009 after he and Nate Gifft spent a … Read more
John Wright John Wright is from a ranching and rodeo family in Nevada where he has crafted fine leather working gear from a very young age and is the third-generation owner of J.M. Capriola Co., John grew up knowing the importance of artistry and quality. Early on, John knew he wanted to be an artist … Read more