A Bit About Us

Ted:
I was raised on a farm in Washington State, and even as a little tyke I had an interest in artistic things. Started doing leather work in 1958...saw me a Tandy store in Seattle, went in and bought a starter kit chock full of leather goodies to make. From there, I moved on to designing and making jackets and apparel of all kinds. Made my first pair of leather shoes in 1962. I played in a country band for 20 years, did a TV show for a while, cut a few albums in Nashville, and toured all over the place with my band. That's how I met my wife Jackie...she sang for the band. Made the band's uniforms on the road. In my spare time, I kept making leather goods.

Lived in Alaska for about 10 years, where we retired from the music business. Later we lived in Dallas/Fort Worth, then settled here in the Durango, CO area, about an hour from the Continental Divide. I learned bootmaking at Larry Smith's Boot School here, so I could make custom boots for Jackie's problem feet. Then I studied saddlemaking in Loveland, and got to work making Jackie a custom saddle. Now I spend pretty much all my time making things from leather and wood.

Jackie:
I grew up in Iowa in a small town. Had polio at the age of 5 so wasn't able to do sports (although I did try!!). My Mom and Dad were hard workers and my mom sewed clothes for her 6 children. Because of my handicap she thought I should learn to sew, but I never got the hang of it and didn't really appreciate it. Wanted to be a singer, and so pursued that. Got a guitar at the age of 16 and taught myself how to play.

At the age of 17 graduated from high school and went to a business college in Spencer Iowa. Played bass in a band on weekends to make extra money. Always loved people and entertaining. Met Ted when I was 19, after leaving business school, and joined his band and "went on the road." Never really tinkered with crafts till we were out of the music business. Then started exploring my creative side in a different field of art. Would make little knick knacks for my sisters like wreaths and christmas candles, plaques and things for the family and friends for presents, but never sold any. Then Ted suggested that I see about selling them at craft fairs. I also do photography and sell my photos. I had a picture of a Lynx published on the back cover of "Colorado Outdoors" Magazine. Ted makes my picture frames out of aspen and cedar and whatever wood we find pretty.

I enjoy making the candles and I also help Ted with designing the leather products that he makes and helping him match up colors for things. We have a good time doing those things together. Have been together for 33 years and sure enjoy working together.

We love animals and would take in all the strays that don't have good homes if we could. Our dogs have the best collars and leashes around. The horses are struttin' too as he makes their halters and all the tack specially to fit them. We are all well taken care of!

We manage a ranch with 24 horses, a mule, donkey, 2 dogs and 2 cats and chickens. We have a Goldwing motorcycle...that got us into making leather products for bike riders.

If you're ever in the Bayfield,, Colorado area, look us up at our ranch and stop by for a spell. The coffee pot's always on...

Ted and Jackie Hanson
Cowboys Toys