Western Saddle Set
This tiny western set was handcrafted entirely by me, Lorin Marchigiani of Footloose Studios. It is made from leather, suede, silver wire, and silver acrylic. Every set comes with the saddle, bridle, and saddle pad.
The saddle is leather and can be any range of colors, including natural, tan, brown, and black. To get ideas, visit www.riorondo.com and look at the dyes that are available, since I order my dyes from them. The suede seat can also be a variety of colors, including black, dark brown, tan, and ivory. Once again, visit www.riorondo.com to get an exact idea. I do not use a tree to craft any part of the saddle, it is all done from scratch. The buckles and bit are handmade as well from silver wire. The cinch uses a billet (on the right side) and a latigo knot (on the left) to attach to the saddle, and I can make the buckle either working or mock, at the buyer’s request. I like to use the latigo knot on the left, side, I feel that it makes the set more realistic, but if you prefer a buckle on both sides, that is fine with me. Once the saddle is finished, I coat it with Tandy Super Sheen for gloss and protection. The silver is hand painted in silver acrylic, and I can place silver wherever you request.
The bridle is made from leather as well, cut very thin to compliment any micro mini’s tiny head. The style of the bridle can be anything you specify, including single-ear, double-ear, and browband. I am working on a hackamore bosal now! The buckle on the bridle can either be working or mock, you choose. The curb bit is made from silver wire, and is the only bit that looks really great on a western set. I’ve tried a D-ring, and it looked ok, but not as “westerny” as the curb. However, I can use a snaffle if you prefer. The silver on the bridle is painted on as well, and can be a variety of designs and patterns, though nothing very intricate. The leather is, after all, less than 1 millimeter wide! The reins can be either split or romal, once again made however you would like! The split reins are used in most real horse events, though romal are sometimes used as well!
The saddle pad is made of suede. It is a solid color, but I am working on finding a way to do more intricate designs. Fortunately, it is very easy to find a scrap of fabric to cut and use as a saddle pad. I have a range of colors available, just specify what basic color or colors you are thinking about, and I will list some of the shades that I have.
Finally, everything (except the saddle pad) is glossed with Tandy Super Shene, which protects the leather and the paint. It also adds a nice glossy finish to the leather. Ready for the showring!
I also have saddles available in reining, cutting, and barrel racing styles. Pictures will be up as soon as I can get them! Please feel free to let me know if there is a specific style you would like me to attempt.
I'd also like to give credit to a few individuals. First, to Smooch, who is modeling the saddle set at the top! Second, to a good friend and "micro pal" who helped me modify the style of my saddle sets to become more realistic. Thank you!!!
PRICE: $50 (will accept trades for certain micros)
Add-ons: A breastcollar can be added to any western set for an additional $8. It will be created to your specifications. A rear cinch can be added for an extra $5. The buckles can be working, mock, or however you would like. I can also add a half cinch (extra $2) to the rear rigging ring, which is commonly done on showring western pleasure saddles. Let me know if there is anything else that you would like me to add!
Western Parade Set
This gorgeous parade set was handcrafted entirely by me, Lorin Marchigiani of Footloose Studios. It is made from leather, suede, wire, and silver acrylic. I am NOT CURRENTLY TAKING ORDERS for a parade set unless bribed! Many hours of work went into this teeny show stopper. Can you image having this set at a live show? I haven’t yet had the chance to spring one of my micro parade sets upon a live showring, but when I do, I’m sure it’ll get lots of attention!
The saddle is crafted just like a normal western saddle, with a few changes. The entire saddle is black at first, including the seat. Most everything on the basic saddle is normal, with the exception of the stirrups. Then, I added the serapé, which is the piece that hangs near to the ground from underneath the saddle. It is permanently attached, and is complete with dangling diamond shapes at the bottom. Unfortunately, I could not find real charms this small, so they are made from leather. Next, I created the hindquarter piece, which drapes across the horse’s hindquarters. It attaches under the saddle. I then made the breastcollar, which has a very unique design. It attaches to both sides of the saddle, and underneath to the cinch. The breastcollar also has diamond shapes dangling from it. Almost finished with the leatherwork, I created the bridle, which is very thin. It is browband style with a throatlatch and noseband. There is a working buckle on the right side. A curb bit with attached reins completes the bridle. I also made a corona saddle pad, which is alternating black and white. The white didn’t show up very bright in the picture.
Now, with the leatherwork finished, I painted on the silver. Wow, what a task! First, I painted on the basic design, and before it dried, I carefully and painstakingly made tiny crosshatching patterns in the paint. The black of the leather shows through where I made the design, making it look great! It looks like tiny plates of silver, and I have seen a similar pattern used on real western parade sets. Each part of the bridle has a silver design on it as well. EVERY single piece of this set has silver on it, including the reins, hindquarter piece, and breastcollar. Nothing was left undone!
Finally, I glossed the entire set with Tandy Super Shene, protecting the leather and the silver while adding a gorgeous glossy finish. Talk about a lot of detail for such a tiny set! This is a full-silver parade set with all the trimmings! =)
PRICE: Not currently taking orders.
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