Taking inspiration from the presentation sets popular with the Arabian horse world, I decided to craft holiday breast collars for my horses with the eventual goal of having a a fun photo shoot.
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This project was an exercise in pattern drafting and fitting, sourcing affordable materials, and sewing. The collars were completed Christmas Eve, and these photos are smartphone snapshots grabbed early Christmas Morning from the "treating tree" in front of Sweepit and Polo's pasture at Paddle Stone Equestrian Center. 

In addition to their holiday collars, each horse is wearing a beta biothane buckle-nose halter purchased from Two Horse Tack.

Travel back in time with me to the days of the Tournament!
Thank you to Combatants Keep, a'Plaisance, Ltd., Midway University, Knights and Noble Steeds.

A walk through the fields,
Where the wild flowers and grasses grow.
A walk through time,
Among faery trees and clover.
A peaceful walk before the rain,
Along the old foundations,
Where spirits rest,
​And Nature reigns.
A walk for health.
A walk for soul.

Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park. Jessamine County, Kentucky.

Above, a commissioned Logo for Midnight Run farm.
Below, a new logo designed for Off the Track Designs.

In my personal quest to learn to ride sidesaddle, I've been keeping my eyes on the vintage saddle market, in the hopes that a Mayhew Lissadell saddle will come up for sale in a size and price that meets my needs. 
I thought I had found the one in a saddle I acquired last week, stamped under the off-side flap with the name of the original owner, "Bazely". 
While the seat size and price were right, the shape of the tree will not fit either of my horses. And so, the saddle is up for sale.

Miss Bazely's particulars:
22" / 17" x 12.5" seat
4" Gullet opening
Approximately 12.5" - 13" between tree points. I would consider this a Medium-Narrow tree. Suitable for Saddlebreds and/or more typey (narrow) Thoroughbreds.
The leather on the outer flaps and safe is very dry, and roughened. The billets and balance strap are sound.
It does need to be re-paneled.
Missing Mayhew stirrup fitting and near-side overgirth.
This saddle has been cleaned with dawn dishsoap and damp sponge, and treated with Carr, Day and Martin Ko-cho-line to preserve the outer leather in as much as possible. 
Please ask questions. I am happy to provide any measurements and additional photos as requested.


Price is $750 plus shipping.
Contact information (link)

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A successful campaign should:
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Make it easy for your audience to access information. Be willing to promote your product or service by politely respond to all requests for information immediately, or as soon as possible. Reach out to referrals. 

I promise all of the above to my clients. 

Radio silence from the blog for seven months doesn't make for much of a blog. In truth, I've been incredibly busy with "work" work, fun work, and various artistic projects.

I completed a commissioned project for Off The Track Designs. Several beautiful, personalized halter plaques came out of the studio as Christmas gifts. In the course of that project, I "discovered" milk paint, and a possible new logo design idea for a sidesaddle riding club.

Speaking of sidesaddle, this specialty of equestrian sport is, without a doubt, one of the deepest wells of inspiration I've found. The passion that enthusiasts have for preserving the sport, and for sharing it's history is boundless. I went in search of a sidesaddle to photograph for an art project, and two years later I'm Treasurer of Kentucky Sidesaddle, Editor of the American Sidesaddle Association Phoenix, on my way to learning to ride aside, and already acquiring saddles. I am enjoying every minute of the adventure!

Members of American Sidesaddle Association have been invited to participate in a popular annual event in Kentucky this summer. The theme of this year's event lends itself to fashion and costuming, and I've been having loads of fun scrolling Pinterest, Esty, and the local Peddler's Mall for ideas. Even my trip to a major shoe store gave me some great ideas! (see below)

Finally, I have been encouraged to re-discover my home town. A friend of mine has enlisted my help with her son's Flat Stanley project. Flat Stanley and I enjoyed a nice walk around the Kentucky Horse Park this afternoon, and we are going to have a great time this next week touring Lexington and surrounding areas. I know I'll find lots of inspiration!

This harness is missing only two pieces: the throat latch for the headstall and one of the traces, which function to attach the harness to the actual cart or carriage. The buckle on one of the lines (reins) also needs replacing. Fortunately, I know of some leather craftsmen who can make the missing parts and replace the buckle.
I'll post photos of the harness in use as soon as it's ready.

The restoration process to date:
Clean the leather with warm water and original Dawn dish soap.
Wipe dry.
Second cleaning of the leather with glycerine soap.
Conditioning of the leather, twice, with Lexol leather conditioner.

Many thanks go to Polo for an excellent job modeling. Polo is an Off The Track Thoroughbred, OTTB, originally trained for flat racing. He's never worn a harness before!

#harnessrehab

One of the many things that I enjoy is restoring usefulness to neglected items. 

After just a good wash with dawn and a wipe-down with a towel, this headstall is significantly softer and more pliable. Next up will be a secondary cleaning, this time with glycerine soap, followed by leather conditioner.
As I clean this harness, I will be making note of an damage and will have the questionable spots inspected by a qualified harness repair shop. 
Follow the progress! #harnessrehab