Former Cowboy Champion Now Works As Silversmith

Former Cowboy Champion Now Works As Silversmith SPECIALTY/SERVICES At one time Jim Hyde of Alida Sask was well-known as a cowboy and horse trainer After retiring he became an excellent silversmith sometimes even making the belt buckles many cowboy champions wear “I had a friend who was a silversmith in California and I saw a lot of his work I decided I wanted to learn to make belt buckles ” Hyde says Silver is used on horse bridles harnesses saddles spurs belt buckles scarf and tie clips broaches and other decorative items    “I had another friend who started up as a silversmith and he was doing quite well He asked ‘Why don’t you try it?’ So I made a pair of spurs They worked out and I had a whole bunch of people who wanted to buy them ” he says “I learned the basics at Lethbridge Community College and quit training horses I went to several silversmithing schools to learn to engrave and make a variety of products ” Hyde says He and his wife Elaine now operate a silversmithing school on their farm and he teaches students right in his workshop Students pay $900 for a 3-day session “We offer four different programs The first is basic silversmithing and the second is basic engraving The others involve bit making spur making and jewelry “Students go home with enough knowledge to start a small part time business We calculate that most people working at home after work could make $2 500 income in the first year and go up from there ” Hyde says Students can return later for one day sessions at $200 per day to get help ” he explains “I’ve got some students who have been coming back for 20 years ” Hyde says silversmithing is the perfect occupation for people with mobility problems “You need to have upper body strength and many people in wheelchairs have lots of upper body strength You have to be able to saw solder and you need to have some artistic talent so you can do layout and design And you also need to practice ” he says Hyde travels to visit other silversmiths He is planning a trip to Sheridan Wyoming to the Silver Extravaganza His daughter Kelly and grandson Tayte McRae are also silversmiths in Pincher Creek Alta    “There are many stay-at-home mothers working as silversmiths ” Hyde notes Contact: FARM SHOW Followup jehyde@hotmail ca

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