Round two: James Gullion, Eric Hannig, Natalie Teichert
Photo courtesy of Bryce Williams. Read more about Bryce in the previous post, Meet the Makers, Round One.
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 more of the makers and their handiwork.
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 hashtag. In Elko? Bring 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!
James gullion
James Gullion has spent many years cowboying around Wyoming and Montana. He has always been fascinated with bits and how people use them. He studies the spade bit tradition and uses them on his horses. Allen Taylor helped him get started making bits, sharing patterns and engraving tips, and James also learned from Ernie Marsh in a mentorship program through the Wyoming Arts Council. In 2015, James took the big step to become a full time silversmith and a part time cowboy.
Say hi to James on Instagram @j_gullion_bits.
Santa Barbara style bit with Elsner mouth by James Gullion, featuring a mix of elements that “pop” both up close and far away, including high dome silver buttons, bright cut on the inlays and silver, and single point gun engraving on the steel. Photo courtesy of artist.
Black bit with copper buttons and single point engraving in a running leaf pattern, by James Gullion. The play of shading, light, and line placement that creates depth in James’ work is even more striking in person. Photo courtesy of artist.
Santa Barbara style bit by James Gullion, featuring wire inlay and gun engraving technique with a dozen roses on each side. This bit is a good example of James’ style and was a piece that allowed him to practice new techniques, highly influenced by Alan Taylor, Martin Andrews, and Ernie Marsh, who all three encouraged James to make his own work and not copy anything else. Photo courtesy of artist.
Gooseneck spurs by James Gullion featuring inlays, overlays, and gun engraving in the steel with a 17.3” rowel, hand-cut and hand-filed. Based off of antique Cheyenne spurs owned by James’ great grandfather. Collaboration with Ernie Marsh as part of the Wyoming Arts Council mentorship program. These spurs are “as close to everything made by hand as you can get,” says James. Photo courtesy of artist.
Eric Hannig
Eric Hannig first got involved in leather work at just nine years old, after walking into a Tandy Leather shop with his aunt in Cheyenne, Wyoming. From this early start in the craft, he continues the tradition of fine leather carving and craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from the Visalia carving of greats like Bill Maloy, Eric blends a multitude of leather carving styles to create something truly unique. Now based in Wheatland, Eric builds everything from saddles and gun holsters to travel bags and iPhone cases.
Say hi to Eric on Instagram @hannig_customleather.
Wallets by Eric Hannig. Photo courtesy of artist.
Eric Hannig. Photo courtesy of artist.
Spur straps by Eric Hannig. Photo courtesy of artist.
Leather knife sheath by Eric Hannig. Photo courtesy of artist.
Natalie Teichert
“It’s always rewarding to see boots that I’ve made being used. It’s great to see them at a bull sale or a branding. We know that cowboys don’t generally make a lot of money, so knowing that they are willing to invest in a pair of our boots is gratifying. They are choosing to customize a tool that they use for work, and make them not only more durable, but are personalizing them. It’s a real privilege to make boots for anyone who values them.”
Natalie Teichert of Teichert Custom Boots grew up in Southeast Idaho, one generation removed from an agricultural lifestyle. Both sets of her grandparents farmed, but her parents gave her more of a suburban upbringing. That changed when she married a cowboy, which introduced her to the whole western world. Seth learned leather work from another ranch hand in Ruby Valley, and that led him to pursue bootmaking right as the two got married. Over the years, it has been a natural progression for Natalie to become more involved as their children grew older, and she began contributing more to each pair of boots that went out the door. In 2018, the couple participated in the traditional arts apprenticeship program with Idaho Commission on the Arts, with Seth as master and Natalie as apprentice. This allowed them to dedicate time and materials for in-depth learning, and since then Teichert Boots has been a definite two-person team.
Natalie, along with fellow bookmaker Morgan Buckert, takes part in an organization that encourages women gearmakers, the Women's Western Arts Association.
Say hi to Natalie on Instagram @nat_teichert.
Natalie Teichert. Photo courtesy of artist.
Calfskin boots by Natalie Teichert. Photo courtesy of artist.
Custom arrowleaf balsamroot flower boots, by Natalie Teichert. Photo courtesy of artist.
