He Turns Horseshoes Into Art

He Turns Horseshoes Into Art AG WORLD Frank Schwegel started out making clothes hooks from horseshoes and progressed to stylized bull heads dogs horses and even a 3/4-scale stagecoach     “My dad used to make things out of horseshoes and when I became a welder I started doing it too ” he says     Schwegel traveled the country for 40 years while working in the logging industry It was while living in northern Colorado for 9 years that he started making horseshoe hooks     “Friends started asking me to make things for them ” he says          Although he and his wife have retired to a home in South Dakota they still travel Now it is to rodeos horse and stock shows One reason is to sell his art The other is to take part in Ranch Sorting competitions at state and national levels     “We take along our art and it pays our entry fees ” says Schwegel     In addition to show pieces Schwegel also makes utility items including boot racks hoof racks for farriers wine racks coat and hat racks and more The more includes everything from trivets to welcome signs and chairs     “I make directors’ chairs with arm back and foot rests ” he says “Rocking chairs are a big hit at the shows ”     Schwegel is happy to do custom projects as well He will add names and dates to personalize an item     “Just send me a picture of what you want and we can talk about it ” says Schwegel “I like to have a conversation with people I have something for everyone with items running from $10 to $1 500 ”     His work is so popular that he often runs out of raw material He offers a $25 discount if a customer brings him a 5-gal bucket of horseshoes     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Frank Schwegel 15260 Bend Rd Box Elder S Dak 57719 ph 605 877-0885; treedancer55@hotmail com; www facebook com/Ranchhorseshoeart/

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