Western General Store

Here's a way to use old stirrups in your home décor. I cut a 6 1/2" disc out of wood and rubbed on a coat of dark brown Briwax. I wrapped the stirrup leather around the wood and placed the stirrup and tea light on top. Gather several old stirrups from friends and family to create table center pieces for parties. You could also use a flameless candle. I sanded the disc and painted it aqua and white and added 3/4" silver Clavos  around the edge. Here's another old stirrup I've had for many years. I used a 5" cast iron Star in Rope  and the Leather Star Bracelet (No longer available) to connect it together. Stirrup Towel Holder

Make a rustic Western Coat Rack using weathered pallet boards and your favorite picture. I chose, cut and laid out the weathered pallet boards. Then screwed supports on the back. I printed a photo and placed it on the boards with double stick tape. I cut a slit in the photo between the boards to make 2 pieces. With painter's tape I outlined the photo, then removed the photo and the double stick tape. I spread a coat Mod Podge, placed the photo and spread another coat over the top. I smoothed with my fingers and a brayer, but it still wrinkled a bit. Maybe it was the type of paper I used. I pulled up the tape after it dried and screwed in Hall Tree Hooks and Small Coat Hooks . Here's another idea. Screw hooks to your favorite framed picture for quick entry way coat rack.

Turn a wooden tray into a western cowhide tray. You can purchase the Wood Tray here , or you can use any wood tray you have. First I sanded the bottom of the tray and vacuumed the saw dust. I cut a template out of cardboard and placed on the cowhide to mark it and cut it out. Next I placed the cowhide on wax paper and brushed Titebond Original glue onto the cowhide. Be sure to brush out to all of the edges. Then place the cowhide into the tray and slide around until it fits. Keep smoothing it down to make sure the whole surface of the cowhide is in contact with the surface of the wood. I used my fingers, but you might want to use a roller. You could nail furniture tacks around the edges, but I like it the way it is.

The colors on this hand carved wooden bowl didn't exactly turn out as I had envisioned, but maybe it will give you some inspiration. I painted the bowl white then streaked it with turquoise, sanded it and applied light brown Briwax. I glued a painted leather cross with Tite Bond Original to the bowl and nailed in brass furniture nails.