![]() Now living in Quanah, Jayson’s work is in constant demand by working cowboys and collectors alike, a months-long waiting list testament to the popularity of his work. This allowed for the purchase of better tools which, in turn, yielded better pieces and, over time, a shop of his own. ![]() Incorporating what he learned on his own with the time spent with Mike, the improvement in Jayson’s work eventually allowed him to transition from giving away his work to other cowboys to selling. One of the few gear makers willing to offer advice and instruction, Jayson’s artistic side improved immensely under his direction. While working in Whiteface, however, Jayson came into contact with Mike Richardson, a local high school shop teacher that would also cowboy on the same ranch. But he said, ‘I’ve got some scraps of silver around here and I’ll sell you those.’ He shot off an ungodly price he wanted for them – I couldn’t afford that!” Improving in the craft therefore came through his own experience and learning from others on the rare occasion. But I asked him where he got his silver at, and he’d just say, ‘Oh, I buy it from some Indians over in New Mexico.’ But he would never really tell me where to get it. Jayson mentions one such spur maker while working on a ranch out in Muleshoe: “I’d go to another guy’s shop to pick up a little knowledge, but he would just quit working as soon as I walked into the door. Although some spur makers would be willing to give advice, most saw it as losing business by sharing trade secrets. From this first pair Jayson continued to pursue spur making, eventually starting his own business upon retiring from cowboying in the 2000s.įrom here Jayson continued to improve, learning mainly on his own. Jayson reflects on this experience, stating, “I tried to build me some stuff, and boy did it look terrible! It was bad.” While this first pair was crude they were nonetheless functional, a source of pride for Jayson which still hang in his house. Unable to pay for high quality gear, Jayson instead took up the task of learning to build his own pair, using spare parts around the ranch. But living on cowboy wages, it was simply out of reach. As Jayson explains, “It’s just something that you’re born with it’s in your blood…It’s a great lifestyle…It’s just something you love.” While not starting in spur making until later in life, he always had an appreciation for high quality cowboy gear. ![]() ![]() Growing up in Sherman, much of his early life was spent cowboying across the various ranches in Texas and New Mexico, representing a cowboy lineage stretching back to his grandfather. While recognized as a master spur maker, Jayson Jones didn't get started in the craft until later in life. ![]()
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