FAQ

1. When should I get instruction? Instruction is important at 2 main points when learning. 1) In the beginning it is important to avoid learning bad habits, avoid trial and error and achieve early success. 2) When a person has been braiding for some time or hasn't braided for many years and wants to start again or, wants to improve their skills, projects or wants the looks of their project to look more finished.

2) When is the best time to take a braiding class? A beginning braider or when the person sees a need to polish their skills, improve the looks of their work or if the person is stumped on a specific knot. We also have some specific courses on items that are the most popular, such as braiding the bosal.

3) When is the best time for a class? Dates for instruction are set when most convenient for the student and Gail.

4) What motel accommodations are available? A wide variety of motels are within 20 minutes of our home. We will mail the list to you when your class is set.

5) How many hours per day? 6 hours per day for as many days as the student feels necessary. Working longer than 6 hours per day many times results in decreased mental concentration.

6) What are the projects? Skill development begins on a mandrel, a key fob and a sliding ear headstall all of which are included in the instruction for beginning braiders. Advanced instruction is directed to what the student wishes to learn or wants to improve.

7) Where are we located? We make our home in McKinleyville, Ca in the heart of the Redwoods. We are about 1 1/2 hours south of the Oregon border and 2 miles from the beach.

8) What is the criteria to attend the class? The only criteria necessary is a desire to learn how to braid, perseverance and a good sense of humor (required). We enjoy meeting new people and like to have fun.

9) What materials or tools should I bring? All tools and materials are provided for beginners. Advanced classes material cost is determined on an individual basis. If you have been braiding you may prefer to bring your own fid etc. All students should bring a notebook and pen.

10) How is the class structured?

Beginning Class

Projects:
1) Learn buttons on mandrel
2) Key fob
3) Braid a series of buttons on the cheeks and ear of a sliding ear headstall.

The beginners course is designed to give the student the basic skill that are necessary in braiding almost any piece of tack or decorative item. Skill development begins on a mandrel, followed by braiding a series of buttons on a key fob and a sliding ear headstall.

1) Strings are precut to save time.
2) Students are braiding most all of the time.
3) Demonstration and explanation of tools.
4) Learn the basic buttons needed for most projects. Including the following:

a. Cut, split and bevel strings.
b. Basic buttons
c. Plaiting
d. Sizing
e. How to finish buttons.

Items that are furnished with the beginners course are:

1) "The Art of Braiding, The Basics"
2) Fid
3) mandrel
4) key fob
5) Sliding ear headstall
6) All roo strings needed for practice and the braided projects.
7) Miscellaneous supplies and tools will also be available for use, such as saddle soap, finishing tools, finish, etc.

Braided Hobbles Class:
This class is designed for a student who has completed the basic class or has equivalent skills. The participant should be able to plait 8 strings. I would describe this as an intermediate skill development course to apply braiding skills to a totally braided project.

New skills that will be taught in this class:
Terminal Knot
Ground work over a terminal knot
Fancy Pineapple Button
How to braid matching symetrical buttons.
Spanish edge lacing of the hobble ring.
Plus continued instruction on improving braiding skills.

Most of the skills learned in making the hobbles will prepare the student for braiding romal reins.

Bosal Class: Student must know how to plait 12 and braid a 6 bight Turks head.
Strings are precut to save time. (Gail will demonstrate how to cut strings)

Students will learn the following:
How to cut a hide into strings.
How to prepare an inner core.
Nose button ground work.
Braid nose button.
Heel knot ground work.
Braid heel knot.
Instruction on sizing strings, finishing etc.

All of the students who have attended the bosal class, have taken home with them a beautifully braided bosal.

Advanced braiders:
Instruction tailored to meet the needs of the student. An example of instruction that braiders have wanted: a) Adding color to a bosal. b) Braiding a fancy bosal with rawhide nose button and heel knot. c) Extra help on a complicated button. d) Learn to work with rawhide. e) Improve the finished look of their braided work.

The following letter was received from Clay Christensen who visited us for a week in July for private instruction for braiding a bosal. Clay is an accomplished hair hitcher, leather craver and had been braiding before his arrival. His other work is impeccable and his braiding skills are well on their way to excellence. We enjoyed him greatly.

  September 25, 2001

Hought Fine Art & Leather
Gail and Eric Hought
P.O. Box 2115
McKinleyville, CA 95519

Gail and Eric,

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the apprenticeship that I was able to complete this past summer, it was one of the most fantastic experiences of my life. You opened your home and treated me as if I were family, it felt like I had known both of you my entire life.

The instruction that I received from both of you was just great! I learned so many things about leather working and braiding that will help bring my work to a much higher level. I truly consider you, Gail, to be the finest braider that I have had the pleasure to work with. Your braiding is simply incomparable or unequaled by your peers. Eric’s leather and strap work is equally as impressive and I learned a great deal from him regarding making bosal cores. There was not one question that I asked that you didn’t answer. Not one question that I asked that you didn’t answer. You shared all of your secrets to making high quality gear and answered questions that have plagued me for my entire life.

I would strongly recommend your workshops or apprenticeships to anyone that is interested in leather or strap work and braiding. You increased my self confidence and strengthened my abilities to come home and continue on with a true love of mine, braiding and leather work. You braided and worked along with me and I learned so much more than you will ever know.

In addition t being world class craftsman and craftswoman, you are extremely fine people. I will long remember my experience in Northern California and hope that our friendship will last for years to come.

Best wishes to you and yours and God bless.

Sincerely,

Clay Christensen