Round One: Morgan Buckert, Tony Pedrini, Bryce Williams
Photo courtesy of Bryce Williams. See below for more of Bryce’s work.
In anticipation of the upcoming Big Skies, New Visions event, the featured gearmakers would like to make your acquaintance. Read on for introductions to three of the makers and their handiwork. We’ll introduce to you to more of the makers in a few days!
Give them the virtual equivalent of a handshake–we’ve included their websites and social media handles so you can find them online. And, we’ll be hosting our first Gearmaker Week on the WFC’s Instagram @cowboypoetrygathering, from Mar. 28 - Apr. 2. Follow the hashtag #wfcgearmakerweek to see more from gearmakers around the West (and beyond). Are you a gearmaker too? Join in by sharing a photo of your own work with the tag #wfcgearmakerweek. If you’re near Elko, consider bringing an item you’ve made for the “gearmaker open mic.”
To learn more from the featured gearmakers, join their talks and demos via livestream or in-person on Sat., Apr. 2. See the full schedule here. Stop on by, virtually or in real life, to connect with these makers.
The creative future of the rural West is in their hands–and in yours. We’re pleased to meet you all!
Morgan Buckert
“... not only are our arts not dying, but they are revitalized as a new generation commits ourselves to carry on and build upon the work of those who came before us.””
Morgan Buckert, proprietor of Morgan Buckert Custom Boots, builds custom cowboy boots with bespoke patterns, traditional construction techniques, and vintage machinery in Hailey, Idaho. She is 7th generation of a Texan ranch family and the influence of cowboy culture is evident in all her work.
Hailing from Goliad, Texas, Morgan was born in 1983, and has degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and The University of New Mexico.
Morgan studied footwear at Penland School of Crafts and apprenticed with a master cowboy boot maker in Idaho. Idaho Commission on the Arts has awarded her with four grants, and she participated in the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.
Morgan says “ I'm thrilled to come to Elko for Big Skies, New Visions to build relationships and learn from fellow artists producing beautiful work across the West. Also, many people describe our work as dying arts, but we want to show the world that not only are our arts not dying, but they are revitalized as a new generation commits ourselves to carry on and build upon the work of those who came before us.”
Say hi to Morgan on Instagram @thesandhill.
Morgan Buckert. Photo by 208 Images.
Desert Skies, by Morgan Buckert. Photo courtesy of artist.
My Window Faces the South, by Morgan Buckert. Photo courtesy of artist.
It Happened in Sun Valley, by Morgan Buckert. Photo courtesy of artist.
Morgan in the workshop. Photo by Tagen Baker.
In addition to displaying her boots and talking shop at the Big Skies, New Visions event, Morgan will also lead a bootmaking demonstration at 1 pm PDT, Sat., Apr. 2. The demo will be both livestreamed and in-person. Morgan will explain some of the over 300 steps required to build custom cowboy boots out of at least 58 pieces, illustrating the complexity of construction that is hidden from the wearer.
Tony Pedrini
Tony Pedrini does custom handmade leatherwork. He is 22 years old and currently living in Spring Creek, Nevada. Tony has been doing leatherwork since 2017. His dad, Pedro Pedrini, is a well known saddlemaker, so Tony has been around leatherwork all of his life. His dad also teaches a saddlemaking school. Tony grew up in Loma Rica, California. He has also lived in Pendleton, Oregon, and Yerington, Nevada, before moving to Spring Creek in November 2021. In Pendleton, Oregon, Tony and his dad both worked at Hamley’s saddle shop. Tony is also a full time welder.
Say hi to Tony on Instagram @tonypedrini13.
Clutch wallet by Tony Pedrini. Photo courtesy of artist.
Tony Pedrini holding a piece that won 1st place in the Pendleton Cattle Barons Weekend, 2019. Photo courtesy of artist.
Tony hard at work in the shop. Photo courtesy of artist.
3” binder by Tony Pedrini. Photo courtesy of artist.
Bryce Williams
Bryce Williams of Williams Saddle & Tack, LLC, knows first hand the challenges a working cowboy faces of owning quality gear. For the past 11 years, he has been striving to produce high quality saddles and horse gear for the working man and the collector all while filling a hole he saw in the industry.
Bryce began building and repairing saddles while working on ranches in Southern Idaho. Bryce was granted the opportunity to complete a saddle making apprenticeship in 2017 and opened his own storefront in 2021 located in Southern Idaho.
He is most active on his Instagram account where you can follow daily life as a saddlemaker and overall leatherworker, along with educational videos on proper leather care and debunking industry myths.
Say hi to Bryce on Instagram @williams_saddle_llc.
Bryce Williams. Photo courtesy of artist.
Riley, by Bryce Williams. Half flower carved saddle featuring wild roses and daffodils, Wade style tree. Photo courtesy of artist.
Daisy, by Bryce Williams. Full stamped daisy saddle featuring a Wade style tree by Bryce Williams, with Mike Falvey silver plate string conchos, and 5” bell stirrups by Nettles. Photo courtesy of Bryce Williams.
