Folk Arts - Master Artist - Steve Derricott

Steve Derricott, of Boise, Idaho, learned the art of braiding rawhide from his father. Derricott was apprentice to his father in the mid 1990s. Derricott acquired "Roy Gfeller Casemakers" business in 1985 where he has utilized his father's knowledge and encouragement to develop a personalized style. Derricott uses a series of contrasting interweaves to create truly unique pieces of braid work. Rawhide braiding was adapted from skills used by Native Americans, Mexican Americans and other cowboys to create functional horse tack.

As a recipient of a 2002 Apprenticeship grant, Derricott taught Michael Skinner to make braided rawhide horse tack. During the apprenticeship, Derricott focused on teaching Michael to cut and bevel leather and rawhide, braiding leather reins, headstalls, and creating several bosals. Michael Skinner grew up in a cattle ranch in Jordan Valley, Oregon. During his childhood he was able to observe the hired hands braiding rawhide and leather horse tack, which sparked his interest in the process. His business career took him out of the agricultural field and he was unable to fully pursue that interest until now. Michael hopes to eventually teach his own son to make braided horse tack.