I feel the same way. I love for people to be happy with what I've made for them. Their excitment is worth the work( and the money deal ain't bad either). But it does keep me wanting to improve just to see the custamer be happy with what they have ordered.
Jim

Love the spurs. The rowels blow me away. I loved talking with you and
your father in law in West Bountiful a couple of summers ago. Your work
just keeps getting better and better.
Rod

Hi Rod -

Yes I remember you stopping by. We had a nice visit. You are always welcome, stop by again any time you are up this way.

_________________
Denny Lytle
L & M Spurs

Denny,

It was the rowels and various design motifs on your L&M spurs that first caught my eye - you and Jim really stepped "outside the box" of what was currently available and created some beautiful works of art that are also functional. I do wear and use your spurs, so besides being visually remarkable, they serve a purpose as well. And how great that you get along with your father in-law well enough to work with him

Does RT = Rod Teuscher? I own a pair of spurs that I believe were made and used by Rod. They are equitation style with silver bands and rockgrinder rowels. Think they came from TopTexasSeller on eBay, from whom I've purchased lots of great gear. Even though I don't always win on items I'm bidding on from him, at least I help boost the price for you spurmakers out there. HA! I really wanted Rod's spurs, so I made sure to win that pair.

That "Collector Gene" that Denny spoke of must be in my DNA, since it seems anytime I want something, I have to have every version ever made. Good for you guys, bad for my poor checkbook.

Looking forward to great new things from y'all,
Jim

Spurmarks
I usually put my full name on my spurs but yes they are probably my spurs.
I will put RT on them every once in a while. Thank you for biding on my
items.
Denny
There is Highnoon and Elko. How many other Judged shows are there?
Rod

Rod -

I do not know much about the shows. Jim and I have not even got connected to the Elko show yet, but I think we will this year. The only show (auction and sale) we have ever attended was Cody, and we have only set up a table there once. We have always sold almost exclusively to dealers. Our marketing involves throwing finished spurs on a rack and waiting for a dealer to stop by and take a box full, or call and say send me 3 or 4 pair. We hardly ever have any inventory so while not a very sophisticated marketing plan, it has worked so far. We are not even going to attend Cody this year because we are still working on orders from last year. I really don't like shows and I would rather take a beating than sit behind a table trying to sell stuff all day. Not only did I not get the collector gene I also missed out on the salesmanship gene as well. My wife has sometimes explained that I might be missing a few more in addition (but that is another story).

Sorry about the long way of saying I don't know anything about shows.

_________________
Denny Lytle
L & M Spurs

Rod,

Sorry I wasn't clearer - I meant "RT" on this forum - I wasn't sure if it was you or Ron Tollison for example. The spurs are marked ROD TEUSCHER and then 330 further along inside the heel band. They are really great spurs and I've enjoyed them alot. They sit just right on most of my Paul Bond boots.

Does Dick Engel still do his event in Cody at the same time as Brian Lebel? Those shows and auctions really had some amazing cowboy gear eye candy and I shopped til I dropped there a few years ago. Afraid to go back... I've worked booths at High Noon and other events and agree with Denny that it does tend to make for a very long weekend. Seemed there was more wheelin/dealin between the vendors than the visitors, and perhaps it is more social & networky than business for a lot of folks, but it is a good way to keep up with what others are making, how they're pricing their goods, and to get your name out there if you're relatively new or up-and-coming in the industry.

Do you think the Internet has done more good or damage to show attendance and purchasing? I know personally I travel to fewer shows, since as a collector/buyer, I can get on the 'Net and view tons of great spurs for sale either directly from a maker or through a dealer or on an eBay auction, so why go to the expense and hassle of travelling a few thousand miles when you can shop in your boxers from home. On the other hand, thanks to the 'Net, we are now aware of all the wonderful choices out there, so perhaps in the long run it has "spurred" greater sales than in pre-computer times.

Never sure if "progress" is one step forward or two back,
Jim

I don't sell on the internet but know some who do. Don't know how to use the computer well enough yet. I am behind enough now that its tough to
make extra.
I go to shows to see what others are doing and see how they do the latest
and greatest. I do well at shows but like to talk with the other craftsman.
I learn so much and get recharged.
Rod