“I was born and ranch raised in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains by two artistic parents. Both of my parents encouraged me to create from an early age by setting a great example for me. Though my mom paints beautiful works of art and is an excellent seamstress, I found my love of western art while spending many winter evenings in my dad’s shop. My siblings and I loved to pound on scraps of leather or metal as we watched our dad build bits, spurs, and other western items. As I grew, my love of western art remained, but got put on the back burner as I pursued rodeo and raised my family. I am the perfect example that one is never too old to start. I began tooling leather in 2020, and started making western jewelry just a year ago, in 2022. I currently reside in Western Nebraska with my husband and two children, where I teach kindergarten through second grade at a small country school. When I have extra time, you can find me at my bench creating something with leather or silver. I am very excited to receive this scholarship to learn bright cut engraving.”

Anne will be studying western bright cut engraving with Kelly McRae through the Be A Maker School.

“As a child I always had a drive to create. When I wasn’t making things, I loved working with my hands in the dirt. I was fascinated by the cowboy lifestyle I read about and the western black and white films I grew up watching. In college I met the man who would become my husband and he introduced me to cattle, horses, riding, roping, etc.. I’ve grown to love riding and working cattle. As a new mom I’m figuring out what that looks like with a little one tagging along. The longer I’m a part of this community the more respect I have for the history and traditions at the heart of it. I’ve dabbled in many medias but in the past few years bead weaving has become my focus. At first it was a way of supplementing income, but it’s grown into an area of expression where I can push myself to mature as an artist. I’ve worked hard to make my work my own and find unique methods and fresh inspirations within a heavily saturated art form. I have a lot to learn but I think that that’s the beautiful part of creating. It’s true that there isn’t anything new under the sun, but the individual perspective that each person has to offer is what makes this world so beautiful, and embracing that diversity is what makes an artist. I’m so excited to be a part of this community that is celebrating that!”

Chloe will be taking a weaving class in the Navajo tradition.

Braiding started innocently enough one winter when Erica Bebout wanted to use the cold season to make her own gear for her and her client's horses. After only a few months, that initial idea grew and matured into an insatiable appetite for all things braiding, and thus Bebout Braiding was born. A native to Bakersfield, California, she grew up surrounded by a variety of horsemen and admired their intricate gear—always stealing glances at the Ortega reins hanging in her mentor’s tack room. In years of riding and training, two things were always a fact when it came to tack—good gear was always a good idea, but good gear was always a financial investment. As Bebout Braiding grows, Erica hopes to keep the traditions of rawhide and leather braiding alive so she can continue to provide all riders seeking quality with gear that lasts a lifetime. Currently, Erica works full time in precision agriculture and as a horse trainer in the middle of a cornfield/Iowa.

Click here to read Erica’s full story about studying all aspects of rawhide braiding with Bill Black.

“Coming from a small town with not much to do opens up the imagination and leaves a lot of room for creativity. I picked up a pencil at a young age and haven’t put it down since. Growing up on the back of a horse and being surrounded by old school cowboys left me no choice but to pick up the western style art. I’m very passionate about the western way of living and wildlife conservation and I believe that reflects strongly in my work.”

Jalin will be taking a painting class with Stephanie Hartshorn.

“I grew up in southeast Idaho working and playing on my family’s ranch. Consequently, I love to be outside whenever I can, riding my horse, learning new horsemanship skills and roping. I have a bachelors degree in accounting and currently work for an Ag Lender in Southeast Idaho. I’m not sure how my interest in silver began, but after years in school I had the desire to use my creative and artistic side. I had been wanting to learn a western trade and when I heard about Nevada Miller’s “Fundamentals of Silversmithing” course I signed up, bought tools, and have been all-in ever since! I have had some great opportunities to learn from experienced artists, each of them going above and beyond to help me succeed. What I have loved most about silver is having the option to make beautiful and elaborate items such as jewelry, and also functional items like cowboy gear. I am so glad to have found this way to express my creativity and am excited to continue learning the silversmith trade.”

Josey will be working with Chris Cheney to build a bridle bit.

“Although I was not raised on a working ranch, I was raised with a deep appreciation for the men and women who use traditional gear. I was born in California and when I was young my dad sold his saddle shop and took a job cowboying in Nevada to spend more time in the saddle. That was it, at six-years-old I fell head over heels in love with the wild beauty of the Great Basin. Looking back, I realize that the wild yet delicate aspects of the land were reflected in the traditional gear the cowboys used. More than anything else I wanted to be a cowboy. As a teenager I built up a little business starting colts. Unfortunately, a few years in, a broken ankle put me out of commission and rather than sit around twiddling my thumbs I decided to learn how to braid. I fought my way through Bruce Grant and Robert L. Woolery’s books and I don’t know how many times I watched Bryan Neubert’s VHS Introduction to Rawhide. As soon as I graduated high school, I got a job cowboying in Northeastern Nevada. I continued to braid as time allowed but it wasn’t a focus. I am beyond thankful for that time of my life because I understand intimately just how important it is to have gear that can stand up to being used. Today I live in my hometown of Ventura, CA and I spend my time building reins, underbridles and making messes in the kitchen when I return from the shop. My goal is to build functional and beautiful rawhide gear that has one foot firmly set in the traditions that shaped the western life and also honors the needs of today’s horsemen. I’m enamored with the stories of those who learned how to use and care for their rawhide gear from old vaqueros long since passed, and I hope to weave that knowledge into my braiding for the next generation.”

Liz will be studying rawhide braiding with Bill and Theresa Black.

“The foothills of the western Sierra Nevada Mountains are where my family and I call home. My husband, children and I have a small cow calf operation while working day jobs in construction. As long as I can remember I have had a longing for and a love of creating. As an artist I have worked with different mediums and methods but always had a longing for Silversmithing. For far too many years life got in the way and that dream was put on the back burner. A couple of years ago I took a leap and started working towards my dream with "Be A Maker School". It gave me the foundation and confidence to pursue my dreams and now thanks to the Cowgirl Art Rodear Scholarship I am blessed to be able to grow and refine my skill set even further. My dream and goal is to create one of a kind family heirloom pieces that carry meaning and love for generations.”

Megan will be working in person with Nevada Watt Miller on silver fabrication and engraving skills.

“As long as I can remember, I have been doing some form of art work. When I got older, leatherwork became a natural outlet of creative expression for me, and I was very drawn to the idea that I could create beautiful and functional pieces. I have been doing leatherwork for three years now, and it has supported me as a side hustle through college. Now that I have graduated from UNR, I hope to focus on my leather business and continue to grow as an artist and entrepreneur. The most rewarding part of being a craftsman is seeing my work “in the wild,” being enjoyed by those that I have made it for.”

Click here to read Melissa’s full story on working with Sarah Smith and her husband, Jack Smith, to build a saddle and the silver to go with it.

“I’m from the good old town of Elko, Nevada where I work for my Dad on the Devils Gate Ranch. I love that the shirts I make can be worn to my work and is a part of a lifestyle I love.

I’ve always had a desire to be able to make and design a button up shirt. As a little girl I grew up sketching and designing clothes on paper. Last fall I finally was able to make a button up with the help of a talented neighbor. I’ve been enamored with making shirts since! I love learning new things every time I make a shirt and creating new designs. Being able to see a design I have in my head come to life is truly rewarding.”

Sage will be studying with Paige Callaway to refine sewing skills, customize and alter patterns and streamline business basics.

View past SKJ scholarship recipients here!