2012 Art of the Cowboy Makers Contest

[Casey Jordan]

To all Makers,

We are currently taking applications for our 4th Annual Art of the Cowboy Makers contest in Loveland, Colorado June 15-17.Need not be present to enter and your entry may be for sale or not. Due to popular request we have added a Chap category for 2012.2012 Categories: Boots - Braiding - Chaps - Engraving - Hats - Leather Carving - Saddles - Spurs - Youth

* Must have 7 contestants entered in a single category by 12/31/2011 to keep that category
in the contest. If the category is canceled, all paid deposits/entries in that category will be
refunded.
* 9 Categories – Boots, Braiding, Chaps, Engraving, Hats, Leather Carving, Saddles, Spurs & Youth
* Entry Fee $100 per entry per category, $50 deposit
* Trophy Buckles for 1stPlace in each category and 1stPlace in People's Choice in each category
* Cash and ribbons awarded to first 3 places in each category
* Judging will be done by contestants in the specific categories
* "People's Choice Award" for each category voted by show attendees
* Limit of 25 items per category. 1stcome 1stserve
* One entry per category per person
* Cannot enter an item previously entered in the Art of the Cowboy Makers Contest.
* Up to 2 makers working on one item
* Leather Carvers will be making a purse. So the Leather Carving project is a Purse any size up
to 14"long X 10" high. No kits allowed. Metal allowed on Closures, handle & strap attachments
and/or adjustments and on zippers
* Open Chap category. Can make any style – batwing, shotgun, rodeo, chinks, etc. Must bring own chap stand.
* Bring your own saddle stand or rent one for $20.
* Entries must be delivered by noon on Friday, June 15, 2012.
* Security will be provided. Not responsible for damages, loss or theft.

What do the makers say?
"It was a fantastic event. We really enjoyed visiting with everyone and admiring all of the artisans' work. "
"Thanks for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"What a Crowd!"


"Made it to the Hall of Fame the other day when I was down in that country. You sure did a nice job setting up the display. It looked great."


"The exposure is worth the hundred dollar entry fee whether I win or not!"

Applications and rules can be found on our website: www.artofthecowbboymakers.com
Any questions or comments Please just call or email! 602-482-9758 casey@artofthecowboymakers.com

 

[Casey Jordan]

Just a quick note to let you know we almost have the 2012 Art of the Cowboy Makers calenders ready.
Should be ready for shipping in mid November.
They will be $12.50 including shipping in the U.S. & International orders will be $10.00 plus actual shipping costs.
We also have Caps & T-Shirts for $20.00 each plus shipping.
There are pictures of these on our website and Facebook.
http://www.artofthecowboymakers.com/Store.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-of-the-Cowboy-Makers/495937530011

If your planning on entering the 2012 contest, Please don't wait! I sent this email out to over 500 makers!!!!
We expect to fill a couple categories with the interest we have so far. We have several new makers already entered in Chaps & Leather Carving.

Any questions Please ask!
Email or call me at 602-482-9758
Casey

 

[Casey Jordan]

Maker's Contest Update.Just wanted to let you know that we are quickly coming up to the December 31 date when we need to have 7 entries in each category to keep it in the contest. Bear with me as I repeat why we have had to put this rule in place.

We have the support of some wonderful sponsors who underwrite the cost of the buckles for each category. But we still need to get the buckles ordered early so that they have plenty of time to make the buckles before the contest. That's 16 buckles!

We have had several emails recently asking if we have 7 entries in a particular category yet. The emails go on to say that they will enter as soon as we get 7. However, if everyone waits until we get 7, we won't have 7 before the December 31 date.

Our goal is to provide this contest for you, the makers, so that your work can be seen on the website, the contest and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. You are competing with some of the best makers in the world. We do all we can to see that your work is presented to the buying public. That is our commitment to you.

The reason we have said 7 must be entered in a category is because any less, frankly, it really isn't much of a contest. When there are at least 7 contestants the prize money given, will more than pay back the entry fee.

Personally, I have entered several categories that I know I didn't have the skill to win but with entering I have been able to generate future sales and feel the $100 is an inexpensive way to gain lots of advertising. I have actually made over a thousand dollars in order just by being entered. Well worth the entry fee!

At present we have the following entries in each category:
Boots: 2
Braiding: 2
Cinches: 9
Chaps: 2
Engraving: 4
Hats: 1
Leather Carving: 2
Saddles: 2
Spurs: 1
Youth: 1

Please don't delay in getting your applications in. Remember, only a $50 deposit is required with your application. We strongly believe in you, the makers, and we hope that you see the value in a contest like this.

http://www.artofthecowboymakers.com/


Any questions Please just ask! casey@artofthecowboymakers.com

Casey

 

[Casey Jordan]

Here's the updated total of entries received so far.
Boots: 3
Braiding: 2
Cinches: 10
Chaps: 2
Engraving: 8
Hats: 2
Leather Carving: 5
Saddles: 5
Spurs: 2
Youth: 1

I have received several entries this past week and I know I have some coming.
We had probably 20 people ask, plead and beg for us to add a Chap category and we only have two entries??!!
We added it because there was enough interest and you asked.

Here's the list of countries that are entered so far.

U.S. - I think about 15 states so far.
Czech Republic
Canada
Germany
Australia

I have had interest from several other countries including Argentina, France, England and Japan. All countries welcome!!!!

You can enter online through our website http://www.artofthec...pplication.html using a credit card or through Paypal to my email address: casey@artofthecowboymakers.com

Any questions or comments Please just ask!
Casey

 

[Casey Jordan]

Happy New Year!!
Thank you everyone for your wonderful response in signing up for the different categories for the Art of the Cowboy Makers contest.
The last two weeks of the year we’re very busy around here and it wasn’t all Christmas either.

We still have applications coming in on-line and in the mailbox and we encourage any of you who were waiting to see if your category had enough entries to go ahead and get your applications in now. Remember, we only have 25 openings per category so don’t delay in getting signed up.
We have a couple categories where folks have told us that they were late in getting signed up but that their applications are in the mail so as it stands now this is what we have:
Boots: 8
Braiding: 4 need 3 more
Chaps: 5 need 2 more
Cinches: 13 this category is HALF FULL
Engraving: 10 close to half full
Hats: 3 need 4 more
Leather Carvers: 12 HALF FULL
Saddles: 9
Spurs: 5 need 2 more, we know you guys are out there so let us hear from you!
Youth: 2 this category will not be cancelled because no buckles are awarded

As you can imagine, it will take Silver King quite a while to get 18 trophy buckles made and that’s why we had the December 31 date for making sure we had enough makers in a category. We realize some of you may have been busy with Christmas and just forgot. For those of you who haven’t sent in your applications yet, you will have until June 1 or until the category is full (whichever comes first).

Applications are on the website http://www.artofthecowboymakers.com/application.html and so is on-line payment option; either pay in full or 50% deposit. The website directory will be updated to include all new makers in the next few days. If you have a picture of some of your previous work that you’d like Kristi to list in the Photo Gallery on the website please send those to her directly at kristi@artofthecowboymakers.com. She’ll get them up as quickly as she can. We don’t want a picture of your contest item, just something you've done in the past in that category and would like others to see.

Once again, thanks for getting your apps in as quickly as you did. Makes all our planning for the contest so much easier.

Any questions or comments Please just ask!

 

[Casey Jordan]

This will be the last reminder of the entry deadline. There's only one month left until the entry deadline of June 1st.

We now have 10 categories: Boots, Braiding, Chaps, Cinches, Engraving, Hats, Leather Carving, Saddles, Spurs & Youth
Trophy buckles and ribbons have been ordered. Silver King has come up with another nice new design and we know the winners will be proud to wear them.

A number of you have decided to get tables at the trade show and that’s a great way to make additional sales while talking to folks about your contest item. Dave & Kristi have assured me that the makers with tables will be as close to the contest area as possible. If you are thinking about getting a table, don’t wait too long. You can go to there website and download an application. www.oldwestroundup.com

Don’t forget that we will be taking all the contest entries to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame for a summer exhibit. The HOF has approximately 7000 visitors each month and so that means your item will be seen by over 20,000 people. We set-up at the Hall of Fame the day after the show, June 18, and the exhibit runs through Labor Day with us picking them up the Friday following. If you want your item to be displayed we would like to have some business cards or brochures that we can put out so folks can have your contact information. We mail your item back to you at the end of the exhibit and all we ask is that you pay the shipping and insurance charges for that.

Loveland and Fort Collins are busy places in the summer so don’t delay in making your hotel reservations. One of our contest sponsors is High Plains Travel and they will be glad to help you with your flight and hotel arrangements. They have reserved a block of rooms at the Candlewood Suites in Loveland from June 13th through the 19th. The rate is $115.00 per night and the hotel is within walking distance to the fairgrounds. Call Donna Evanoika Mitchell at High Plains Travel : 719-597-0004 ext:101 http://www.highplainstravel.com There is also hotel info on the Old West Round-Up site.

We will have a few extra things to do this year. We will have at least one roping dummy to play with and you can also try your hand at Cowboy Fast Draw. There will also be an auction on Saturday.

Here's the link to the application page on our website: http://www.artofthecowboymakers.com/application.html
You can print and send in the application or pay through Paypal.

There doesn't seem to be much interest in Spurs this year!?

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call: 602-482-9758