in itself. It is much harder
now, when true improvement is so much harder to
come by.
what else happens, I always try to get some studio time
before Seth and the kids come home from work and
school. Unless I’m really on a roll, I usually don’t make
tack at night.
BUXTON
What was your most dis- What is your favorite piece so far?
couraging failure?
Jennifer: Nothing specific comes to mind, but I enjoy
Jennifer: Like a lot of art- making “portrait” tack like nameplate halters and 1:9
ists, I struggle with perfec- scale renditions of a customer’s real saddle.
tionism. No matter how
good a piece is, I always What has been you greatest professional achievesee the flaws. Sometimes ment so far?
it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by them. The whole “it’s never going to be right Jennifer: Working for Breyer. I was part of the 2010 WEG
no matter what I do so why bother” thing.
Diorama Project. I’ve had my work on the cover of JAH
twice, and I also designed two tack sets for production.
When did you feel that your work started turning the
corner?
What is the next challenge for you?
Jennifer: When I moved back to Colorado in 1998, I was
finally able to attend my first live show. Everything about
that experience inspired me to become a better tackmaker. I was able to examine other people’s tack up close,
which is always extremely inspiring and helpful. I sold a
few pieces of my own tack—thank you, Sandy!—which
encouraged me to keep going. I also made several friends,
many of whom are still in my life today.
What was one of your true “aha!” moments?
Jennifer: Because I am a hunter girl at heart, I always
wanted to make English saddles. For the longest time, I
had no idea where to start. The seat and flaps didn’t intimidate, but I just couldn’t figure out how to make the
tree. Sometime in the early 2000s Susan Dolittle posted a
picture of her saddle tree on one of the tackmaking email
groups. I took one look at that, and it was like a light bulb
went off in my head. I made my first saddle shortly after
that, then another and another and the rest is history.
Tell me about how the blog transpired.
Jennifer: I didn’t have any big goals for my blog, but right
away I knew I wanted it to be sustainable. For me, that
meant that I wouldn’t try to stay strictly on topic all the
time. My family, dogs and real horses were always going
to be part of the mix.
What is your work routine?
Jennifer: Most week days, I get up, get the kids off to
school and take a dog for a big walk. After that, I may
run errands, ride or go to work in the studio. No matter
36
Jennifer: It’s the same two challenges always: Clearing
my backlog and making an English saddle that I’m really,
truly happy with.
Who inspires who in the hobby?
Jennifer: So many people! I hate to make a list because I
know I’ll forget someone important.
What advice do you have for aspiring tack makers in
the hobby?
Jennifer: Where to start? Look at as much real tack as you
can. Make things for yourself. Create your own patterns.
Experiment. Don’t be in too big a hurry to sell your work.
Show performance.
Thanks to Jennifer for participating in this article, and for
providing all the photos that accompany it. For more information on Jenn, her tack and everything else, go to her
fun-filled blog at braymere.blogspot.com. Selected posts
from the Braymere blog are also linked in the electronic
version of this issue.
About the author
Heather Malone-Bogle is a professional art director and
an amateur writer. She has an incredibly patient boyfriend, Josh, and three floofy cats Cali, Molly and Sammy.
She was born in Atlanta, also claims North Carolina and
Colorado as home, and lives in Texas. She doesn’t make
anything tactile in the model horse hobby except drool.
Equine Collectibles – Winter 2015