Western General Store

Western cutouts are great fun and they can be used in so many ways. I drew and cut them out of plywood on a scroll saw. You can cut them out of cardboard, leather or thick paper. You can paint or stain them and then you can: Glue them to a skewer to stick in flower arrangements. Drill a hole in each and add jute to make ornaments. Glue them to boxes or frames. Make Garland. Drill a hole if it's wood or leather and make a key fob. Attach a hook to display on your saddle. It doesn't have to be western. You can make any shape you want, such as Christmas cutouts. Choose your theme, cut out your shapes and create!

Fall Activities are coming up and what better way to show off your style than to wear a hat band that you made yourself. Here are 6 different styles that are easy to make. I used a palm leaf hat to model the hat bands. Just wet it in the sink, form it into any style you want, and let dry. If you make a mistake, rewet it and fix it. I attached a Rhinestone Star Pin to a grosgrain ribbon for this style. You can also add pins to the hat. I wove a 5/8" x 46" black grosgrain ribbon through eight 1 1/2" slotted conchos. Tie the ribbon in a square knot in the back and let the ends dangle. Or you can tie it in a bow. I cut a 1" x 23 1/2" strip of veg tan leather, painted it black and attached 2 types of rivets. I cut an extra piece for a keeper in the back. I stapled the ends together and glued the keeper on the band using Titebond. I got a little off on the staples but it worked. Here's how it looks in the back. ...

This project is a Horseshoe Cup Holder made with wood and Tiny Horseshoes . I drew a design for the feet and cut it on the scroll saw. I glued them onto a wood post and painted it a rustic gray. I screwed on the horseshoes including one on top. You could add more horseshoes and spray paint it your desired color for a jewelry stand.

It's 'time' to make clocks! You can make a clock out of just about anything. It's easy and fun! We have some left over Saltillo tile we used from a house project and I wanted to make something with one of the tiles. I put together a barn wood frame and routed out a place on the front of the frame for the tile. Epoxy was used to hold the tile in place. Since the frame is square (17.5" x 17.5"), I decided to rotate it to make a diamond clock. Holes were drilled for the 2" Square Berry Copper Conchos , 3/4" Copper Clavos and the clock hands. You can get the clocks and hands at the craft store. Concho screw adapters were used for the conchos or you could glue them. This boot was a previous project transformed into a clock. I attached the clock hands and small brown conchos for the numbers. This is also a previous project transformed into a clock, using the Mini Star Nails and Tiny Horseshoes for the numbers. ...

I have always wanted to make a horseshoe wreath, but since I'm not a welder, I created a new way to make it. I used #6 x 3/4" pan head machine screws and nuts. I did enlarge a few holes on the drill press so the screws would fit. These are large cast iron horseshoes. You could use steel horseshoes as well. Getting the right screw is crucial and these fit perfectly. I was so exited, I immediately wrapped red bandanas through the horseshoes. I sprayed the horseshoes silver metallic and wove a pink bandana through the horseshoes, a blue one next to it and tied it in the back. You've got to love this cowboy version! I sprayed one of our  Western Cutouts silver and attached it with wire. I wrapped blue and red bandanas and tied them in the front. Star Horseshoe Wreath with a star burlap ribbon, Mini Star Nails painted red and a painted Star in Circle Cutout hung by wire. Texas Horseshoe Wreath with Texas in Circle C...

Spring is just around the corner so time to bring out the colors of spring. It's easy to make a Spring Hat Wreath. I had this sun hat and found a flower garland at the craft store to wrap around it. I wired on a burlap bow and a twine hanger for the top. Make a horseshoe candle holder by screwing Small Horseshoes onto a block of wood, paint it the colors of spring and add silk or real flowers. Use as centerpieces for weddings or parties. It will hold a 3" pillar candle or... A votive. To make a rustic spring planter I gathered scraps from my weathered pallet wood projects. I glued and nailed the upright pieces to a pallet wood base. I used the rest of the flower garland and tied twine around the  planter. Or you could add daisies and a distressed Cross Nail . Here is another color scheme with a Mini Star Nail . These ideas should give you inspiration to create for Springtime.