Desert School

I want the desert to be my living room,

The mountains my teacher.

Silver, sweet iron and a blue heeler shall be my companions,

Maybe a Hannah Ballantyne sketch or two.

I love that the dream of who you might be,

Pushes me to be a better woman,

Sight unseen.

I want long hard days spent with horses, flighty cattle,

Greek poets, art, art

And more art.

If I was playing Cinderella and he was

Price Charming,

He’d ask me to travel the world,

While slipping a pair of Bonds on my stockinged feet.

Tipis, wood stoves, big blue patches on levi covered knees,

Old airplanes

Maybe a cherry pie or two,

Would add color to the grainy

Black and white film

Our story will become.

But I’m not Cinderella,

And most are afraid to love

Such a blue eyed,

Blonde haired mess.

Cigarette smoke swirls above my head,

Like my fumbling prayers to God above.

Fair warning sir,

It’s just life in the new,

Wild West.

  

xo xo Elizabeth 

GEAR | Hannah Ballantyne...Cowboy-Girl and Gear Maker

Today I want to introduce you to my friend, Hannah Ballantyne and her business, H Ballantyne Leather. She makes beautiful and high quality chinks and armitas and the best part is that Hannah is a genuine cowboy-girl and Buckaroo Barbie. When she’s not in college slaving away, Hannah works for her dad cowboying on the Padlock in Wyoming. I asked her what made her get into building chinks and what her favorite part is of working with leather, and here’s what she said:

“I’ve always enjoyed designing things, whether it be art, interiors or leather. I got into the leather in a bigger way when I went to work for saddlemaker Matt Moran. Working with him I learned a great deal about leather and how endless the creative options are. Building armitas and chinks is fun for me because I enjoy making something necessary and functional be striking and classy as well!”

And striking and classy they are! You can check out Hannah’s work at her business page on Facebook here. 

Take a look at these beautiful pictures and don't worry, drooling is not only common, it's also encouraged. 

Photo by Ken Jenkins

xo xo Liz