Cultural Community: Cowboy
Artform:Rawhide Braiding
Residence: Southwestern Idaho

Bio: Steve Derricott was born into a ranching and farming family in southeastern Idaho in 1950. His father, Lloyd, was a horse trainer and master rawhide braider. Steve grew up watching his father, but didn’t start braiding until his early 40s. Lloyd took Steve on as an apprentice through the ICA TRAap program in 1994, after Steve had already established himself as a quality leatherworker. With the encouragement of his father, the apprenticeship allowed him to learn the basic skills, as well as develop a personalized style in the artform. He fashions his own tools to make the process faster and easier. He now creates intricate braid work and knots to form horse reins, headstalls, quirts, bosals, and more. Steve enjoys and feels strongly about teaching others to create high quality artistic yet functional horse gear. He has operated Gfeller Casemakers, a leather shop in Meridian, since 1985.  He gives presentations and leads discussions on leatherwork at his business and at trade shows

Honors & Awards: 2004, Master, Idaho Commission on the Arts Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program

For Services Offered, Availability, and Costs, please contact the artist.

Glossary Terms: cowboy traditional arts, rawhide braiding, occupational culture

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