 Mariposa Lapwai (butterfly, butterfly | An intense six months in the making, Mariposa Lapwai has been our most challenging, rewarding, and collectible piece. We present this piece as prestigious, distinctive, and bold.
It can be yours for $17,900.00, which includes reins which have yet to be made. |
 Rosette close-up on Mariposa Lapwai
There's a new show in the western world. Women Who Design the West premieres in Cody, Wyoming, September 2010. It's an exclusive exhibition featuring women who design and create western craft. And Shoni has been invited to the show. Stetson has endorsed Women Who Design the West and will be inducting each craftswoman into the Stetson Craftsman's Alliance. The mission of the alliance is to recognize and honor excellence across western craft disciplines. Thea
Marx has worked with Stetson for several years on this project. Thea
also directs Style West, held at the same time. Both shows open, free
to the public, at noon on Thursday and Friday, September 23-24, and at
10 a.m. on Saturday, September 25. The event closes daily at 6 p.m. Website: www.womenwhodesignthewest.wordpress.com. Upcoming Classes:
We are always open to one-on-one three day workshops, taking up to two
students at a time in our studio at Kettle Falls, Washington. Check the
"Instruction" page of this website for more information. Montana Academy of Living History: We will present two sessions on hitched horsehair in Deer Lodge, Montana, September 16-17, 2010. First
session: Find out what hitched horsehair is, a general description of
how it is done, and display of finished products. This is an overview
discussion. A question and answer period will be at the end of the
session. This is September 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; fee of $10.00. The second session
is an accelerated how-to and hands-on for beginners. Students will make
a hitched horsehair key fob, having hands on experience with making
pulls, the two knots used in hitching, and understanding drop, add, and
standing pulls. The six row diamond, the basis for all geometric
patterns will be hitched, but not completed due to time constraints.
Class is limited to ten students. Please bring small scissors and a
ruler. We recommend that people taking the how-to, hands-on session
also attend the two hour overview session on Thursday. This session is
September 17, 8 a.m. to noon. For more information and to
register: www.academyoflivinghistory.com; or e-mail:
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Or
call the Powell County Museum and Arts Foundation, phone number
406-846-3111. About our Products:We sell only our products because hitched horsehair is a collectible art form. This allows consistency and reliability in design and color combinations. Our innovative ideas and full-time endeavors assure you the highest quality products available.
COLORS
You choose the colors and we work with your color combinations. Our color range includes blues, turquoise, reds, yellows, greens, gray, purples, pinks, browns, and orange.
PATTERNS
If you like a particular pattern, let us know. Or we can design new patterns. See the Photo Gallery for samples of our products
CUSTOM ORDERS
Custom orders comprise the majority of our work. Your waiting time varies with orders ahead of you. Belts take four to six weeks to make once started. We send estimates for any highly unusual item or design. Just ask!
FUNCTIONAL ART WITH LONGEVITY
It is important to note that hitched horsehair is not the same as braided hitched horsehair. Hitched horsehair is a series of knots with horse tail hair; braiding is, well, braided. Hitched horsehair will last generations, while braiding does not have the same lasting stability.
You are purchasing functional art with hitched horsehair.
RETAIL PRICE LIST
Belts (all belt widths are approximate) Belt, 1 3/8" wide; belt size up to 36" $650.00
Larger belt sizes at $12.00 per additional inch.
Belt, 1 ¼" wide; belt size up to 36" $560.00 Larger belt sizes at $10.00 per additional inch.
Belt, 1" wide; belt size up to 32" $495.00 Larger belt sizes at $8.00 per additional inch
Pictorial designs are an additional $100.00 added to the above prices due to the difficulty in designing and hitching. Pictorials mixed with geometric designs create a striking item. Pictorials include, but are not limited to, bears, eagles, End of the Trail, moosehead, buffalo, blue pony, etc. Some pictorials are limited to certain widths of belts.
Sterling silver banding is optional on any belt. The banding covers the joint where the hitched blank and leather are sewn together. This is a complex process because the silver banding cannot slip on the belt, nor can it cut into the leather or hitched blank.
Sterling silver banding on 1" and 1 ¼" wide belts $125.00
Sterling silver banding on 1 3/8" wide belts $150.00
Hitched inlays in sterling silver are likened to the old Southwest pawn, where each piece is handmade, without any cast silverwork. Choose from either a notched bezel or solid bezel. Solid bezels are complex to make because of forming a relatively thick amount of metal to two arcs of angles to its maximum capabilities, without fatigue of the metal.
Belt Buckle, Bolo, Barrette, Pin $495.00
Necklace – with silver chain and beads $495.00
Hatband, 7/8" or 5/8" approximate widths, with horsehair tails $250.00
If we use your horse tail hair, the price of hatbands is $290.00 as it takes additional time to sort the hair when making the pulls. We like to include some of our colored hair so you have a pattern along with your hair.
Headstalls and Reins – per individual quote. The all hitched horsehair bridles are pricier. Another alternative is for you to supply a leather headstall. We then add hitched horsehair to various areas of your leather headstall which can include the browband, noseband, or side pieces. Your price quote depends on how much hitched horsehair you want. Your headstall also becomes a functional piece of art instead of a wallhanger.
Traditional leather belt ends which require a buckle are made from textured black or brown leather. Or choose leather belt ends which tie.
The joint where leather and the hitched blank are sewn together is covered with leather. Other options are sterling silver banding (see above), or traditional knots. Traditional knots are an additional cost: 1 3/8" belt – $50.00; 1 ¼" belt – $45.00; 1" belt – $40.00.
We offer other one-of-a kind items with hitched horsehair that will not be duplicated, i.e. Indian cradleboard; capelet. Please inquire for prices.
Each item is numbered, with a certificate of authenticity that states the amount of hairs, colors, and patterns.
PAYMENT: A $100.00 deposit is required with placement of order. After receiving your order and payment, we contact you stating approximately when the order will be started. Once finished, we ask for payment balance. Your item is shipped when full payment is received.
Shipping charges on finished product vary with item.
Prices subject to change without notice.
Washington State residents, please add 7.6 % sales tax.
We look forward to creating your specialized item.
KSPS TV Interview: KSPS PBS TV interviewed us in 2006 for their Northwest Profiles program. You can access the interview on their website, www.ksps.org. Click on Local Profuctions; then Northwest Profiles; then Archives; then the alphabet letters "G-L"; then scroll down to "Knotted Up (Hitched Horsehair Hitching). This interview is also on YouTube - type in hitched horsehair. This is not an instructional video, but shows Shoni hitching and Ron doing silverwork; and also shows some of their product.
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