Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Illume

IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE OF Illume, we’re celebrating the unique journeys of artisans whose lives are deeply intertwined with leathercraft. Their stories are a testament to resilience, creativity, and the ways in which leatherwork has shaped and been shaped by their lives. We begin with Dan Peterson, a Minnesota native now calling Abilene, Texas home. Dan’s lifelong dabbling in leatherwork found purpose during his career in law enforcement, where he specialized in crafting gun holsters for his fellow officers. What started as a hobby evolved into a fulfilling side hustle, pairing his trade with a built-in clientele that appreciated his quality craftsmanship. Next, we feature Don Roundy, a Utah-based bootmaker who has been honing his craft for over five decades. Don’s journey began humbly in a Salt Lake Valley shoe…

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For Tex Hollis, every day is a blast. Whether he is duck hunting near his home in Mississippi, trap shooting at the national championships in Illinois, or building his signature leather shotgun shell bags, Tex can’t believe how lucky he is to be able to love the life he lives and live the life he loves. “My work is my relaxation,” Tex says. “I am so blessed with what I do, to have the freedom to fire myself one morning and go duck hunting, and then get back to work.” Tex has conquered a small, but lucrative niche market for leather goods that has allowed him to live the lifestyle he so warmly appreciates. Tex builds one-of-a-kind leather accessories for trap shooting enthusiasts. His most popular products are shell bags…

GENE FOWLER  A writer and performer based in Texas, Gene Fowler has written for Cowboys & Indians, Oxford American, San Francisco Chronicle, True West, and many other publications. His books include Maverick, Border Radio, Crazy Water, and Metro Music. ANGIE SHAW Angie Shaw is an experienced stitcher for Burns Boots in Salina Utah. During the week you can find her acting as the shop foreman where she enjoys learning new things every day. She enjoys contributing to the process of providing an exceptional customer experience by creating an heirloom quality product from start to finish. Angie started working in the leather industry nearly 20 years ago and began learning the art of boots in 2019 when she started an apprenticeship with Shane Deeter and the Burns Boot company. Outside of…

“I THINK OF TIMES I WORKED SO CAREFUL. JUST SWEATIN’ EVERY INCH. OR DRAFTING PATTERN TO CUSTOM MEASURE, AND BEING PROUD THIS IS MY NITCH. OR ON THE PHONE WITH HAPPY CUSTOMER, AND HE LIKES THE WAY THEY WEAR. AND HE TELLS ME I’M AN ARTIST, AND HE WANTS ANOTHER PAIR.”—LINES FROM DON ROUNDY’S POEM, “COWBOY COBBLER” Leather’s the thing that defines me,” writes cowboy poet Don Roundy of Toquerville, Utah. “It’s all I can show for my life. Proud work one can use, wear and see. I find joy in the awl and knife.” Today, faith, family and the satisfaction of hundreds of well-done leatherwork jobs sustain Don as he prepares to pass his half-century-old business, Roundy Boots, to a young apprentice named J. D. Terry. In 2020, Don…

“I was always accused of wanting to be a cowboy. My mother said she couldn’t keep me out of a hat.”—Dan Peterson It was a warm winter day in Minnesota. Snow was piled high along the road to the dairy, but the road was dry. The 15-year-old boy had been ground driving his dad’s colts a little. With the nice day, it was time to hitch them to something and see what they’d learned. The hay trailer was usually pulled by a tractor, but today it would be pulled by a team. Unfortunately, it wasn’t equipped with brakes or a seat. The team ran off down the road and the boy couldn’t get off the road because the snow banks formed a natural wall on each side. His dad watched…

WANTED  NEW SUBSCRIBERS WANTED. Now is the time to renew and see what you have been missing! Give us a call at (435) 565-6052, e-mail: savannah@burns1876.com or visit www.illumeconnect.com. GREAT OPPORTUNITY. Burns 1876 is now hiring saddlemakers, bootmakers, silversmiths, hat makers, and leather craftsman/woman in their manufacturing facilities in Salina, Utah. In-house training provided. Please send your resume and a cover letter to careers@burns1876.com. AMISH CRAFTSMAN LOOKING FOR A WHOLESALE OUTLET. I specialize in dog training products and dog muzzles. I can custom make products to your specs. Jonathan Borntreger, 19563 CTY HWY MM, Wilton, WI. 54670 LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO SELL our high-quality men’s leather belts. Each belt is made in Montana from premium leather sourced from a U.S. tannery. Earn 10% commission on every sale. For more information, call 406-374-2790 WANTED Standard Rivet Spot Setter with…

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