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Kyle Rosfeld of The Sandhills Boot Company in Cody, Nebraska, grew up on his uncle’s ranch and started working as soon as he was old enough to shut the gates. Rosfeld did everything — running the tractor, haying, as well as tending to the cattle. After years of physically demanding work as a ranch hand, he decided to follow a different calling: custom cowboy bootmaking.
Rosfeld uses traditional methods and vintage equipment. His shop, in the six-business town of Cody, feels as if the old railroad might still make stops in this remote corner Sandhills. Rosfeld’s interest in the history has made him an advocate in the community for preserving the town, the old ways, and the traditional methods of making a proper cowboy boot.
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Sign in to add your ownCarmen from MontanaGirl said 9 years ago
What an amazing tradition. This story made me homesick.
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 9 years ago
Gorgeous!
TheIDConnection from TheIDconnection said 9 years ago
Beautiful!
M Wheatley from wheatleypaperworks said 9 years ago
Such an admirable work ethic and devotion to tradition. All the best.
Anne from plumcreek22 said 9 years ago
Thank you for this video; my Mom and Dad are from Nebraska. The Sandhills are beautiful.
LabyrinthLeather from LabyrinthLeather said 9 years ago
As a leather worker I always love spying into other peoples shops - awesome video :)
Amber Lee from TossedTreasures said 9 years ago
I love this! Thanks for sharing it with the community
Silvia Berrios from DesignsbySilvia said 9 years ago
Fabulous video, beautiful tradition and town.
Hillary De Moineaux from VoleedeMoineaux said 9 years ago
awww he's cute! Yeeeehwa!
Shane Chick from chickfamilyink said 9 years ago
I love weirdwolf productions.
379bella said 9 years ago
I loved this video and what Kyle is doing so much I could have watched a 3 hour documentary on it. This is the kind of craft that isn't found easily. I really appreciate you sharing your work with the Etsy community! Thank you Kyle!
Matejka Max from NattyMatty said 9 years ago
Compliments!
iammieCLAYshop from iammieCLAYshop said 9 years ago
Awesome!
messinabella from BandBEstate said 9 years ago
Great post!
DewyMorningVintage from DewyMorningVintage said 9 years ago
I loved loved loved watching this! I loved seeing him create and show all his cowboy boots. I love how he still uses methods from over 100 years ago. What fine craftsmanship you possess. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful gift with Etsy and the community!
Peshka from Peshka said 9 years ago
So Cool!!
Ainur KOKSAL from Ainurcrochet said 9 years ago
Amazinggg !!
jammerjewelry from jammerjewelry said 9 years ago
Wonderful article!
Lita Petrovic from litapsilverj said 9 years ago
Great story and awesome craftsmanship!
Emily Hingston from PaperScissorsPop said 9 years ago
Beautiful story and beautiful boots. Thank you!
TheRedTin from TheRedTin said 9 years ago
This is wonderful. He is wonderful.
Lana Manis from HoneysuckleLane said 9 years ago
I very much enjoyed this video and hearing about Kyle's art!
Catharina from nightcloud said 9 years ago
another cowboy job, just from a different point of view... admirable craftsmanship, honest to himself... enjoyed this one very much!
Leila from DressyDollsCompany said 9 years ago
Cowboy boots are the best. Saw a girl wearing them to the ballpark...red boots and a white sundress. Yes, I'm in Texas, but I still thought it looked great!
KC Elsasser from QueenChlorine said 9 years ago
He makes me proud to be a Nebraskan! Thanks for the wonderful video. I LOVE the moustache, too.
Aurora Sky said 9 years ago
Would love it if they were made of other materials, instead of skins of slaughtered animals.
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat said 9 years ago
So nice to see someone making a living by keeping the old crafts alive. There's really nothing like hand crafted made to measure footwear for comfort & durability. And I have to say, Kyle, what an exceedingly fine moustache you have! :-)
Donna Kohler from TreadleLady said 9 years ago
Fabulous!!! Fun to see an old Singer treadle being used for making boots. Way to go!
randomfindings from randomfindings said 9 years ago
Not only does this showcase traditional methods of construction but also how the equipment used with these methods can last. I mean, he said that he uses a Singer machine from 1896! Back then, they knew how to build and design machinery that was meant to last forever. Thanks for this video :)
earringcrazy said 9 years ago
MORE...MORE...MORE... I WANT MORE! Too short. I could have watched an hour or more.
Denise Vining from kadydesigns said 9 years ago
Beautiful handmade work!! It's so nice to see you keeping the old way of making the boots alive so that people can have a custom pair.
Suzy Blankenship from cactusscraps said 9 years ago
Finally something truly awesome on Etsy. REAL craft.
Mandy Crawley from WorthensMercentile said 9 years ago
Absolutely incredible!
Modred Vintage from Modred12 said 9 years ago
I grew up in the Sandhills, and am proud to see it represented.
IKA PARIS from ikabags said 9 years ago
Yes truly great craftsmanship ! Traditional work , so amazing ! Thanks !
IKA PARIS from ikabags said 9 years ago
And still you are sewing with your old machine ! How beautiful !
kristin from blackmoonsky said 9 years ago
this is my kind of story! i love the pre 1900s singer machine and the 1940s inspired peewee boots.
andrea from slumshirts said 9 years ago
I love the boots !!! He is a real craftsman. would like to let you all know that the entire continent of Africa uses still SINGER sewing machines, they make my stuff, shoes and everything up to haute couture with those machines. In many countries they don't even have electricity and do it with candle light . It is amazing how in many parts of Asia and Africa people manage to make beautiful things with machines that we declare outdated.
Jana from Luncheonettevintage said 9 years ago
wow. and that machine he's working on. wonderful stuff. thanks!
SheEarth Crystals & Creations from SheEarth said 9 years ago
very cool, I love everything: the old world skills and craft that would go into making each pair, the machinery, the location, the mo - it is all so very perfect
Terry from Parachute425 said 9 years ago
Oh Kyle - what a wonderful art! Thanks for sharing your story.
BossysFeltworks from BossysFeltworks said 9 years ago
Fantastic!!! (Yes, I would have still been enthralled if it had been a longer video!). If my alter-ego country singing self ever hits the road, I'm heading straight to Kyle's workshop. Kudos on making a major life change for the sake of body and family!!!
Justin Antonevich from jandkoutdoors said 9 years ago
More power to western tradition and rustic lifestyle! If we could only go back to those days. Good ole hard work, pride, and less politics!
Scarlett from 3vintagehearts said 9 years ago
very awesome video! my fav! and how cool is that he is still using the Treadmill Singer! they were truly jewels and he is proving that! GREAT JOB!
Jeanne B from KOUSAsupply said 9 years ago
GREAT boots and story! Thank God for people like this that won't let the old craft die! I WISH my poor tired aching feet would allow me to wear them, but about all I wear is cushy! I just gave my old black industrial Singer to my friend but glad to see the old machines still in use!
France Gallery from FranceGallery said 9 years ago
Really interesting video and story!
rosebudsvintage from WillowsWear said 9 years ago
Congratulations on being featured and what a lovely story. Happy to see that the "old" way and tools are being used and carried on for everyone to share and enjoy. I"m a lover of cowboy boots, wear mine all the time, and I sure wish someday to be able to be fitted by you and enjoy your shop. Please keep up the pride of product and the land.
Dafna Kotzer from streetcats said 9 years ago
Great post!!!
Lisa Classon said 9 years ago
Makes my heart sing to see people appreciating craftsmanship!! Beautiful boots!
Emily from EmSewCrazy said 9 years ago
LOVE THIS! My Dad used to do this. I grew up in his boot shop. We still have his Singer machine. This is why I started making my baby cowboy boots.
Janice from picturesofsilver said 9 years ago
oh I love my cowboy boots!!! so happy for you & your fam.Keep up the great work.
Connie Haskell from redemptionart said 9 years ago
Wonderful, certainly an art...thankfully not a lost one! Saddle making, tac....all a part of American tradition...thanks for this!
CB DESIGN'S from CBDesignsPR said 9 years ago
very nice tradition, continue doing it...
Erica Walker from EricaWalkerJewelry said 9 years ago
Another beautiful portrait, thank you.
debbie shipley from mysparetimedesign said 9 years ago
Very interesting....love that old sewing machine and the fact that he uses it in his work!!
Jim McLean from BackyardBrand said 9 years ago
Great piece! Great work, Kyle. Here's a great bootmaking song by Jerry Jeff Walker, "Charlie Dunn..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fg3y_PvUxM
Marla Miller from whatMARLAlikes said 9 years ago
Great video and music... love the education of it all!
majo rey from MajoReyLingerie said 9 years ago
Really love this article!!!!
Ann Hartley from hartleystudio said 9 years ago
Completely awesome. Thanks for keeping the spirit of true American craft alive.
Zoui from XZOUIX said 9 years ago
aaaaamazing design! i wish there were also VEGAN BOOTIES available :)
Jessica from LovelyFever said 9 years ago
I am really enjoying these videos that tell the stories of sellers and their craft. This one was particularly fascinating, because it went over the history of how the cowboy boot came to be.
Alison Fennell from eastwitching said 9 years ago
Awesome and inspirational - best of luck Kyle - Alison
Amy Gunderson from amysfunkyfibers said 9 years ago
Great article. Love the handmade boots...I bet you couldn't find a sewing machine like that today!
Lucy Snowe from lucysnowephotography said 9 years ago
Awesome video! Beautiful work!
mulch from mulch said 9 years ago
Great story.. Love the boots, so creative.
Jason and Andie from andiespecialtysweets said 9 years ago
Beautifully done, Tara! Amazing, detailed, gorgeous, and comfortable looking boots...and by a real cowboy -so awesome!
Kyle Rosfeld from bootmaker said 9 years ago
Thank you Tara for telling my story in such an interesting way. Keep up the great work. I am attempting to become more tech savy as time permits. Thank you to all the artists who have been so encouraging, your love of the arts and crafts are what keep me doing what I do. Kyle
PapillonVintageShop from PapillonVintageShop said 9 years ago
This is a really wonderful story. To find something that you do well and enjoy that brings so much daily gratification is an inspiration. Good luck with your business.
Karen Brown from blainedesign said 9 years ago
I like everything about this, starting with his voice. So soft spoken and humble, backed by such deep and thorough knowledge of local history, cowboying, and bootmaking. I don't think you can find an intimate story of true craftsmanship like this anywhere but Etsy.
Patrick from BeaconMills said 9 years ago
Way to go. This what Etsy is all about.
pasin from Pasin said 9 years ago
Really love this article!
Victoria Baker from LittleWrenPottery said 9 years ago
Wow amazing work, theres so much skill to boot making!
FreakyPeas from FreakyPeas said 9 years ago
Yeah for cowboys and their boots!
kim rhodes-thomas from pinksnakejewelry said 9 years ago
Fantastic Post/Video!!!!
Sissy Benedetto from ABCbirdhouses said 9 years ago
Wow, I would love to have boots from Rosfeld. What a terrific trade.
Kira Ferrer from KiraFerrer said 9 years ago
Fabulous video... I loved seeing Kyle work the antique sewing machine. Gorgeous boots!
JULIAN BLASCO said 9 years ago
Me encanta la piel, el trabajo artesano de este señor es fantástico.
Tracy from designlab443 said 9 years ago
Great video, I also love my vintage singer, can't beat it!
Jennifer Stephenson McLamb from JenMcLamb said 9 years ago
Hooray for preserving the old arts! I love your boots - especially the american flag! I think wearing those would make me feel like Wonder Woman!