Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Reed.
Hi Cheryl, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I had always found horses to be magical creatures with wild hearts. For many years I have always wanted to create items with horseshoes but never had the chance. I met a friend who is a Farrier and I got to talking with him, next thing I knew he brought me buckets of used horseshoes. Over the years I have learned new ways to clean them to remove any dirt, rocks and sometimes nails from them so I can paint and decorate the horseshoes. All the horseshoes I use are previously used horseshoes. It may take a little more work to clean them up but i like the idea of repurposing them. To me, it’s one less thing just lying around that could be used to make something beautiful and meaningful to someone. Something that can make you smile when you look at it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. All of the clean up of the horseshoes have to be done outside in the elements. Some times it will be too hot, too cold, rainy, windy to do anything. Paint doesn’t want to dry if the humidity is too high either. I try to do as much as I can when the weather is tolerable since I don’t have a dedicated indoor shop to work in. Sometimes I can get low on inventory if we had terrible weather all year long.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make horseshoe wall decor and handmade leather goods. Most know me at our local farmer’s market, Heart of the Hills Farmers Market, located in downtown Kerrville, Texas, as the horseshoe lady, which I’ve been called a few times. I love making the horseshoe wall decor which is where I started. It also brings a smile to my face as each one has represented someone I know or a memory I remember. It makes me happy to hear some customers state that “oh this reminds me of…” or “he/she would love this one”. I love that what the horseshoes do for me, does the same to others.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I don’t see horseshoes ever disappearing anytime soon. Home decor trends are ever changing but their will always be ones that love the western vibes. My horseshoes though, I have so many different ones that fit many different people and their likes that I try to offer a little something for everyone. I like so many different decor or styles that I can’t choose just one, I like them all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heritageironworkskerr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heritageironworks
- Email: heritageironworkskerr@gmail.com
