About Us

About Keith and Jane and friends...

 

Keith started out as a master parachute rigger, working with fabric and sewing machines.  He began working in leather when his wife Jane, always a rider,  kept asking him to work on her tack.  Keith discovered a real talent for working in leather, and developed a love of the art and craftsmanship involved in making beautiful, unique leather goods.   He has apprenticed with Russ Bigelow, Harnessmaker, of Winchester, NH, and has studied carving and tooling, tack and saddle repair, and similar work with such notable artists as Chan Geer, Al Gould and Jesse Smith. In September, 2011, Keith attended Jesse Smith's Saddlemaking School in Pritchett, CO. and has further refined his skill at saddlemaking and fitting through hands-on work with notables such as Pete Gorrell  and tree maker Rod Nikkel.

 

 

Keith and Jane live in Orange, Massachusetts. Although he'd rather be riding a horse on a Wyoming elk hunt, or jumping out of airplane, Keith also enjoys working with Ricky and Streak,  their two American Bashkir Curly horses, and visiting with the donkey girls, Chrissy and Isabella.  And of course, the Blue Dog security staff, Two Speed and Kanga.

 

Who is Blue Dog?

Keith and Jane have shared their lives with Australian Cattle Dogs for many years, but none was finer than Ch. Blue Max. Max died in 1999, but his memory lives on in the Blue Dog logo, designed by Mark Cole of 37 Design in Athol.  We are big fans of Australian Cattle Dogs!  But if you're thinking of getting one, we caution you that they are high-energy, very smart dogs who need a lot of stimulation.  If you aren't comitted to spending quality time with an ACD, you might not like the job he invents for himself!  For example, TwoSpeed here just loves a chance to open the refrigerator and help himself to everything in it.  It's such a pain living with a duct-taped refrigerator door....