waking up and Learning

1/8th of Life Size Miniature Parade Set made by me, Heather Moreton.  Pad by Danielle Hart and Saddlestand made by Robin hudson.

American Dime (10 cents piece) on the Saddle to show scale.

These last two or Three weeks have been entirely fascinating to me.  As my grief subsides more and more I find that I'm stronger emotionally while still feeling things very deeply.  I'm more "ok" with my flaws and "weirdness"; and being late to things; and not keeping my rigid schedules that I used to live by.  I'm still entirely unhappy with my weight and I only walk sporadically but I have learned a tremendous amount in many aspects of my life.

Firstly, I went to the Miami Valley  Live Show in Greenville, OH.  I've never been to Greenville, OH before and I've never traveled that far north, alone before.  This is signifigant because most of my model horse acquaintences and Friends that I see frequently live to the south in Lexington and TN.  The roads down that way I know very very well.

 The benefit of going north though was that I got to hang out with Kay Callhan, Ann Bilon and Vicky Forester.  These are three ladies that I like a tremenous amount and that are entirely supportive of my tackmaking.

I talked too much and made Ann miss a couple of classes (SO SORRY ANN!!!!!) but I had a real feeling of happiness and grounding.  My parade set did really well against some tough competition from the likes Of D'arry Jones frank and Tiffany Purdy, and Joyce Savage. (Pinnacles of excellence in the "peformance" showing world of my hobby).  Also the western pleasure set that I made for my Husband came in handy a few times too.

The parade set is coming up on being a "year" old and I finally like it.  Yes, I don't understand or entirely like my work when I first make it.  I'm usually too close to the piece and only see the work and frustration in it for a while after it's completion.  I did learn where fingernail polish would work over time and where it would fail.  I replaced only 3 or 4 spots and remade the billets.  I suspect that I'm going to have to remake the cinch eventually, and the buckle  idea to attach the tailpiece is a bit "wrong" but if I don't use the tailpiece I can tuck the strap under so that worked out.  Not an ounce of silver tape on this piece. Everything is real metal or real silver, or real swarovski crystals.

I'm Finally really proud of this piece.  Especially for it being my first parade set ever.  Although I'm already "booked" again for the next year, I'm itching to do my idea of a side saddle parade set when I have the time again.  It'll probably match this one for a "his" and "Her" set.. (as outdated an idea as that is..)

Work for the last few weeks has been almost beyond comprehension to me. Both in learning, retaining information (which was impossible for me for the last year and a half), and opportunities.  I was also on call and probably got called every day, twice a day at least.  Some days it was 3 or 4 times and in the middle of the night.  "On call" is almost over now so hopefully things will settle a bit and I can get back to making more stuff!

I'm working on a new style of Western Show halter for Robin S.  She really challenged me with the design she sent and I'm trying to do it the authentic way.  That has proven to be a challenge in our scale.  I've even bought real hand held silver graving knives (or whatever they're called) but I have no idea how to use them.  I'm definitely going to have to go visit Sue b-y at her house to learn at the feet of the miniature master(and I'm chuckling to myself because I know she reads this blog.  She'll probably chuckle in return for me inviting myself to her house.. lol)

OH and it's the start of the Kentucky Derby celebration here in Louisville, Ky...  And that just brings my sleepy  southern city to live with excitement.  LOVE that the worlds eyes are on our town for this event..  Last night was "Thunder Over Louisville".  Largest Fireworks Display in North America. (or so they say).

One last thing, My deepest sympathies and condolences to anyone effected by the Bombings in Boston...  I can't even think of the proper words to express how sorry I am for your losses..

Something New!

"Can't Focus" Sunday or "hey, want some more reference photos?"

I'm having a hard time focusing this sunday so of course, I'm hunting around for something else to think about.. SO......

I decided to show you some of my saddlseat reference photos.  My Friend Danille Hart got me thinking about this reference after she asked for it earlier this week.

These particular photos are specifically "Saddlebred" style Saddleseat.  I know that a lot of folks think that "Saddleseat" saddles and styles are all the same, but they are not.  Arabians, Morgans, Saddlebreds and Tennessee Walking horses all use their saddleseats differently and there are different styles of saddlseat saddles.  Also, believe it or not, different states even have a "culture" that is different from one another.  Since I live in Kentucky, I'm going to share the knowledge that I have gleaned from shows and saddlesat barns here.  This is a touchy subject with saddleseat people so please understand, I am not trying to be the VOICE of saddlseat for model horses.  These are just my observations and opinions.

Firstly, if you'll notice in the two shots that are first in line above, the saddleseat saddle does not fit, in any way, like a hunt seat saddle.  The modern saddleseat saddle was designed to allow the shoulder complete freedom.  The saddle sits behind the withers and behind the shoulder.   Any other placement is considered wrong for a saddlebred.

Second there are many different kinds of saddlseat saddles.  The Saddleseat folks local to Kentucky like the almost, entirely FLAT saddleast.  The "dippy-er" saddleseat saddles are used for Saddlebred equitation riders.

Third, laced reins are optional.  Some riders use a snaffle rein that is laced; Some folks use both the snaffle and pelham reins laced; Some use reins that are not laced at all.  There is no rule governing this so any are allowed.

Fourth: and this is what I have heard from hanging around saddlebred folk-  the preferred browband color is Red or maroon.  Yes, peple do use other colors but by and large what you'll see in the ring, the braids, browband and nosebands are either red or maroon.  There is no rule governing the color so any color is allowed.

Fifth- Like the Huntseat folks, the preferred color of tack is Havana Brown or dark brown.  A lot of times the tack looks black but that is the oil on the tack that is darkening it.

Some of the other photos above show the boots that the saddlebreds wear and a Cavesson set that I liked a lot at Friedmans booth during the Worlds Championship Horse show a few years ago.

Most of my photos above were taken at Premier Stables in Simpsonville, Ky.  My friend Robin Hudson was nice enough to show me around and allow me to snap photos to my hearts desire :-)

I do realize that the Arabians, Morgans and TWH folks have different opinions of what is correct for saddlseat so if you want to comment with any particular point, (or questions)please feel free.

Whats on my Workbench?

There is a thread on a Model Horse Hobby Forum that is in the "tackmaker section" called "whats on your workbench".  I think it's pretty much the best thread on the whole forum.  I love seeing other tackmaker's work and they inspire me to no end.  So... from left to right above:

My western pleasure saddle that I've temporarily put down until I get through the halter orders I took in Feb.  I intend to go back to it soon :-)

The next piece over is an OLD piece that I am going to redo.  It belongs to my friend Anna Tackett.  I have drug my feet on it because I can't decide if I'm going to keep the design of it as it is now, or completely revamp it so that it's more "correct" in my mind.  That is a constant struggle to me: Realistic or Artistic?  And because of that conflict, it's just kinda sat.

The Next Halter is for Robin Smith and I have some really fun ideas in mind for it :0)

The next piece is probably going to be a bitted kind of show bridle.  I think of Morgans or Saddlebreds or Warmbloods.  Since it's black, It'll a bit limited on how I can use it.

The next piece over was originally made to be the bridle to match the western saddle set but I've since changed my mind about it.  Eventually it'll be finished and sold.

The halter next to that is going to be a totally frivolous but fun sort of 4th of july halter.  No idea what I could use it for but I was very inspired by the blue dyed leather :-)

The reins over top of the halter are  set of reins I started, thinking they'd be a fun, quick project.. Nothing in my world is quick and easy.  I'm just kind of "like that".. so they'll sit and probably be the next piece for a giveaway.

And lastly are the bits and pieces for a braided bridle set for me.  I really love those colors and I had a great design in mind, but I've forgotten it now.. lol   Ah well. eventually though I'll finish all of those pieces.. I think...

Okie Rio Sized halter

Finished this over the weekend, in between dodging shoulder and back pain (sigh)..  I love halters on okie's stout little head. :-)

The Huntseat Bridle from "HE double hockey sticks"

I've been working on this bridle for two solid weeks.  Again I had a lot of problems with the crownpiece.  I was entirely finished with the bridle two days ago, but the throatlatch broke so I had to redo the crownpiece.  This one only took about 15 crown pieces so thats a step forward! LOL!

Morrocan Embroidered Costume

SO.. while I'm sharing my reference photos, I might as well share this one. I have no idea if I'll ever be able to make this set in miniature.  These photos were taken by me, at the Kentucky Horse Supply here in Louisville, KY.  I  know that the owner showed arabians for a while but I do not know the full story behind this beautiful tack.  Those folks that work there are the greatest because I often go in there, camera in hand and shoot photos for my reference files.  I also have photos of a parade rigt that I'll post some other time.  If you use these files, please credit me.