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 Custom Saddle Blanket Bags
This purse was made for a wonderful lady. Her husband had passed away and she wanted to preserve the adventures they had in these boots. She loved the Ant-Eater hide on the bottom of the boot and requested that I use if somewhere on the purse. It was challenging to separate the hide from the boot but with the help of guiding angels, and making 2 prototypes I got it just right. She chose Amber Swarovski Crystals, star conchos and a laced english rein for the handle. Thank you for the opportunity, Rene.
Custom Orders click here
#saddleblanketbags #saddleblanketpurse #wovenwesternbag #cowgirlswag#cowgirlfashion #recyclewesternbag
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 Old Gringo Favorites

This was a beautiful custom bag made from Old Gringo cowboy boots. A great way to preserve all the times out on the dance floor or in the stirrup. These boots didn't fit my customer any longer, but she absolutely loves it as her new purse.
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 Short Ankle Boots
Shorty ankle boots are what all the celebrities are wearing these days. Diamond 57 we've been recycling the bottoms of the cowboy boots into Shorties since 2002. I make a bag from the tops of the boots and if the bottoms are in good shape or new boots, I hand lace them with premimum leather lacing and you get to wear these easy to slip on boots in style! If you need a certain size, give me a hollar!
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 Love abounds!
 Last weekend I was vending at Thieves Market in Chandler Arizona. Tom had taken some old boot bottoms and and planted some succlents in them to recycle the boots. A very sweet, young couple came by, loved the recycled boot and purchased it. Along the way as they were shopping they were telling people about their "recycled boot planter". At one booth they dropped the brochure I gave them. The vendor (we'll call her Jane) picked it up and started reading it. In this brochure I have the story of how Diamond 57 was created. She was touched by the story and came to find me. As we started talking she discovered a cowboy boot bag she loved! "It speaks to me!" she squealed. I am so grateful to be inspired to create works of wonder that spreads such joy. Jane makes beautiful recycled yard, garden and home art reclaimed old wood, antique clocks and more. She told me she was going back to her booth and was going to take the proceeds from her sales to buy the bag. She returned in a short while and told me she was telling her brother all about the bag (he also creates beautiful works of art by recycling vintage wood and old truck parts). I asked her how sales were, and she said not good but I'm telling everyone about the bag I'm going to buy it when things pick up. I told her to take the purse to her booth to show her brother, to which she replied with a smirk, "ok, see ya.... in, like....never!" Ha! She did return with the purse swinging like an old friend on her shoulder. Gently putting the purse back on it's rustic display she said she'd be back and may have to take up donations to achieve her goal. She would joke with the good people enjoying the show. The next day I recieved an email from a delightful angel asking me if I remember the gal that really wanted the cowboy boot bag when she was shopping in my booth. I said, "oh, yes! She's a delightful soul!" She asked if I would accept her payment of the purse and present it to the "lady" as an anonymous gift? This woman said "I don't know her name, but do you know who I'm talking about?" "Yes, I remember", as disbelief welled up in my heart. Really?? For Real? She was serious and called me with her payment information and didn't want any recognition for her very kind gesture of love. My life will forever be touched by such generosity and inspiration!
Tom and I went to see Jane, and I put the bag on her shoulder asking her if she's sure it fits properly. She smiled and said, of course it fits just right! I said "Well, then, it's yours!" She was in shock with tears of unbelief mixed with such humility that will be a memory in my mind forever.
Jane came to me later that day and said "I've always been a giver. I don't know how to react as a reciever." Joy. Pure joy! This is what it feels like to bless others.
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 Red Cowboy boot purse
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 El Paseo Drive Fashion Show
True Glitz Western Fashion Show.
Palm Springs
March 2011
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 Here's a few of my favorites!

Red with spurs and AB crystals. Vintage pin up cowgirl motif on the conchos, closure strap and longer handle. It is shown here is the shorter brow band hand that changes to the longer strap in a "snap"

I loved the rodeo red buckstitching pattern on these vintage Tony Lama cowboy boots. It didn't take long for this one to find a new home!
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 Military Boot Bag

Life changes... and so do the boots!
Just when I thought I’d hit the high road and I finally know the direction should go.... the weather changes. Whirlwinds and big, fat snowflakes redirect my life - my perspective, and give me eyes to see a different, more rewarding path. I recently worked on a particularly challenging project, thanks to Tim Kelly. He sent me some old, rough boots to make into a purse for his sweet sister, Pam. The leather was stiff, folded in funny ways, and oh, those zippers! Big, thick, cranky zippers. They were determined to do whatever they wanted.
But I felt a deep inspiration to work with these old Military boots and help them to realize they now had a new, meaningful mission to carry out. You see, Tim's dad was a Major in the Air Force and flew the B-58 Hustler (which only had one purpose - to fly twice the speed of sound and carry a Nuclear Bomb). I understand the planes are as unpredictable as a wild mustang. The boots had walked on foreign soil, flew countless missions and walked a path of determination and devotion to our country.
I worked with the boots, stubborn and unforgiving; they did not like the idea of a "purse". Ok then, I decided I'd call them a "bag"! So much more bold and brave. They softened up a bit, but those stinkin' zippers were not so cooperative. I tried a dozen ways to get them to compromise. Finally, I convinced them to lie quietly, tucked inside the lining, promising them a wonderful adventure about to unfurl. The dog tags of this uncompromising veteran hang on the laces, as is customary for men at war. The Air Force Major pins are proudly displayed on each side of the bag. I know the legacy of this Air Force Major, and father, will never be forgotten. As Pam touches the leather, now a little softer, a new perspective and a new mission will carry on.
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 Some of my most cherished treasures!
Enjoy browsing this archive gallery of purses custom made. I can make a custom heirloom piece for you from your boots, belts, horse tack etc... Contact Sue for more information and create a piece of art that will last a lifetime.
A lady from Redmond, Oregon sent me her husband's boots after he passed away to make into single boot purses for their daughters. Once complete she wrote a poem for each asking them to always remember the path their father chose and walk in his footsteps.
Another woman in Pennsylvania sent me her daughters first pair of boots. I add pink fringe and a pink belt with lots of bling for the handle. She now displays it in her room and wears it everywhere with a wonderful story to tell.
One daughter was surprised to get her old boots as a wedding gift! Her mother brought her old english riding boots to me along with her daughter's horse's bridle complete with brass name plates. I incorporated all of this to be a custom forever purse worth more to her than any words could express.
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 Fleur Di Lis Custom
 I really enjoyed creating this cowboy boot purse from these Fleur Di Lis Corral Cowboy boots! The inlays of the fleur di lis in turquoise are exquisite! I used AB swarvoski crystals and blue crystals on the conchos. One of my favorites!
 Saddle Blanket Bags
 Made In USA!
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 Sue Roake
 True West magazine
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