Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Kelley.
Kerry grew up with family in the metal business, his parents owned a heat treating shop in Fort Worth. With metallurgists and other science based skill sets in his family, he learned a lot about how different metals and processes affect outcomes, and he studied how to use the right materials and procedures to get the results he wanted. After working on a ranch Northwest of Fort Worth, team roping and cowboying, in the early 1990s he started making spurs for the cowboys he worked with and creating functional and beautiful cowboy gear became his full time job in 1995. He moved on to making bits in 2001 and he is now known for his exceptional feel and unique combinations for this important piece of gear. With his rise in popularity, he opened his first retail store in 2007 in Weatherford. In 2010, his new showroom and retail store was built and became a destination with comfortable seating, a pool table, and a great western ambiance for shoppers. This location, on Granbury Highway south of Weatherford, is open Monday-Friday year round for local horsemen and visitors to Fort Worth horse shows and events. A successful e-commerce website allowed service to customers around the world, while tack vendor partners also sell his products around the country at rodeos and horse shows.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am attempting to manage customer time expectations, but working with my lineup of custom orders while also keeping the store stocked is a challenge, but the biggest struggle is dealing with cheap import bits and spurs and people who knock off my handmade work overseas. Real cowboys and collectors recognize value and handmade quality, but it is frustrating to see my designs copied in inferior mass produced pieces.
Please tell us about Kerry Kelley Bits & Spurs.
Kerry Kelley Bits & Spurs is a handmade bit and spur company that is known for unique designs, amazing feel and quality, and beautiful artwork that is useful and tough enough to work all day on the ranch. I am proud that my equipment is sought after around the country (and internationally!) by the best trainers, rodeo athletes, and working cowboys. Many of the top horsemen in the world aspire to own Kerry Kelley bits and spurs because they trust the workmanship, reputation, and results.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4300 Granbury Highway
Weather ford TX 76087 - Website: www.kerrykelleyspurs.com
- Phone: 817.594.1775
- Email: kelleyspurs@yahoo.com
- Youtube:
Image Credit:
Lee Schneider
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
