Western General Store

This is a tutorial on how to make a Christmas Lariat Wreath. First step: Find a used lariat. That's easy for me since I live in the middle of cowboy country! A zip tie at the top secures the rope. Tuck the tail into the rope strands. The ribbon was for a hanger, but in the end, I used wire. Some may want to use this idea. This is an old swag from my mother's decorations. I decided not to go this route. Wrap about 3 foot of garland  at the top. This provides fullness and a place to stick greenery. Stick in greenery. Add a bow. There are lots of videos on the internet on how to construct a bow. I used a pipe cleaner to attach. I attached red ball ornaments with wire. This would be complete unless you wanted to add a horseshoe. One idea is to use a glue gun to wrap ribbon and include a horseshoe. I chose to attach a horseshoe with a pipe cleaner. I tied on a bow, or you could glue it. The size of this wreath is 21 inches across. Have fun making your wreath! Merry Christmas!  

This project is my western style version of a dreamcatcher made with our XL Horseshoe . In some Native American cultures, the dreamcatcher is intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. I believe we all need one. I made several different dreamcatchers to inspire you with ideas when you make your own. All the supplies such as feathers, beads, thread, cord, and leather lace can be purchased at any craft store. Also, I gave a step by step tutorial on how I made one. The first version (above) I made years ago while experimenting. Leather cord was used, and I hung a horseshoe nail horseshoe on the webbing. I made the horseshoe many years ago by cutting, bending and soldering 2 horseshoe nails together in the form of a horseshoe and wrapping it with wire. This version is made with black waxed thread and I used a buffalo button on the webbing. This dreamcatcher I made with blue leather lace, attached a spur row...

I saw a picture on the internet of a horseshoe and spur that held a drapery rod. I thought, we've got horseshoes and spurs, so why not put them together and make this! Since I don't weld, I had to be creative. With the drill press, I drilled a hole at the bottom of the Large Horseshoe and used the grinder to smooth down a place for the spur. This spur was used in a previous project for a curtain tie back. I cut off the strap holder on one side with a hack saw and smoothed it down with a grinder, then drilled a hole with the drill press. The size of the hole depends on what size screw you're going to use. I inserted a screw, put a nut on the back, and spray painted it black. You could use this for a gun rack, hat hook, coat hook, or bridle hook. I think it looks great! Add the spur curtain tie back and you have a set! This would look great in a western themed bedroom or great room!

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.

This project evolved over time as I came up with ideas. Sometimes I pick up a horseshoe and ideas start popping into my head. My husband has a wood shop so we have tons of wood. I grabbed a board and screwed a Large Horseshoe on each side and put a couple of finger towels on it. Cute! But...that wasn't quite what I wanted. How about a napkin holder? You don't need to be a welder to make this! I cut a piece of mahogany to 6 5/8" long  x 2 3/8" wide x 1" thick and screwed Large Horseshoes to it after they were spray painted black. You can use any wood and color schemes. Standard napkins fit perfectly! Then I decided to make a no weld hand towel stand. I took the base from a previous project ( Longhorn Jewelry Holder ) which is 6" x 6" x 3/4" thick. The mahogany post is 1 3/4" x 1" x 16" tall. The Medium Star , 2 Large Horseshoes, and a  Small Star Nai l for the top were spray painted black. Try other type...

From this day forward there will be one post a month on the first Monday of every month. Now, today's project: Create a place for your caps, keys, coats, and umbrellas. Nail horseshoe nails to a Large Horseshoe on a weathered pallet board or any type of wood. Screw in Large Coat Hooks or Hall Tree Hooks . Paint the wood or cast iron any color  you desire or leave as is. This would be very handy right by the door so you can grab on your way out or hang up as you come in.