Meet Garren Still

We had the good fortune of connecting with Garren Still and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Garren, what do you want people to remember about you?
I guess most importantly I want people to remember that I was always willing to help and share my craft. Growing up in an era where “makers” didn’t often share tips or secrets of the trade, I never understood that. I want to be remembered as a Giver, someone who gave back to the world of art and just the world in general I believe giving is the greatest thing we can do with our lives and I believe giving love is the greatest thing we can do as humans. Helping being kind and having a discerning understanding that everyone is truly going through something at any given moment. Help any chance you get too, share knowledge and inspire any chance you get.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Leatherchief: I guess this Brand started its Journey when my Brother Passed away unexpectedly when I was around 28 years old. He was my best friend we did everything together. After his passing I was in a spot I was unfamiliar with overcome with grief I spent a lot of time alone, which was uncommon because I have always had a crowd around by nature I am a good time Charlie I love to laugh and love for everyone around me to be laughing. During the year after my brothers passing I rented a little house out here in weatherford that had a small shop on it. I read a book about Nudie who was a tailor to the stars back in the 60’s 70’s 80’s he made suits for Elvis Merle Haggard George jones Gram parsons ZZ Top anyone who was anybody had a nudie suit! Rhinestone’s and Chainstitch embroidery a true craftsman showman and salesman nudie was. I decided I wanted to make some cool western shirts so I did! Right in that little shop on my newly rented property, soon enough I needed a little leather bag so I built one, hand inlaid a Thunderbird on it and a fine bag it was, you could tell by first glance it was surely handmade. I loved it. I continued to expand making Ladies handbags, I grew up Rodeoing and Cowboying so it was uncommon for me to start with ladies Handbags, everyone wanted to know why in the world I wasn’t building Tack or saddles? My answer was always “if a woman wants a handbag she will buy it for herself or her Man will buy it for her” ! Easy sell I figured! I always wore Jewelry necklaces,bracelets etc and started wearing Turquoise before it was “cool” like it is now when I started wearing Squash blossom necklaces I never paid over $250 dollars for one now they bring upwards of 3,000 for the cheaper ones. Leather tools were available at Tandy leather some the leather stamps resembled that of Heavy Navajo Stamp work which I absolutely Loved so I went and bought some and started stamping Leather bracelets in patterns that resembled those heavy silver Navajo cuffs! There was literally no one within 200 miles of here that did that style of silver work But it’s what I wanted to do. It wasn’t until many years later I would learn, thank you Dave Tarver for showing me How to stamp silver for the very first time. It changed my life. I stayed with leatherwork all those years and developed a great following in the business although my leather work was mediocre, people still loved it and wanted it, I did a short 6 year stint in the music Business traveling all over and doing shows with friends Like Stoney Larue,Jason Boland , Kevin Fowler Cooder Graw and many many others, adding to my following in Leatherwork. It countinued to grow. When I started silversmithing it was so natural to me, I’d spent some time around other silver makers and watched them saw silver and kinda knew my way around it per say but hadn’t ever really put my hand to it, but when I did I felt like I was born for it. All the years of studying and looking at jewelry wearing and loving jewelry it was just a natural transition. I have always takin it personal when I build something for someone, I never want two people to walk into the same place wearing something I made them that is just alike, I’ve tried my whole career to not repeat the same piece I want each person to have a stand alone piece that’s equally as cool as the person standing next to them if they’re both wearing my work, but not the same piece. What you get with me is imperfections,Raw Handmade but well made one of a kind goods. You get a piece of me in a way, what some people don’t know is, when we come to terms on a piece and it goes in the que, I generally start building it that day, in my my mind. I’ll work on it for weeks late at night in bed, early in the morning taking my Daughter to school. It will come and go but it’s always around, along with 40-60 other orders just rotating in my mind seeing what will look cool thinking about what will catch an eye it just on and on sometimes until it’s time to start cutting silver. You will always get sterling silver and American mined Turquoise when you buy Leatherchief made- everything is built by Hand one at a time in my studio/Store -Chiefs Trading post at 203 York Ave Weatherford,Tx

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re surrounded by great places and people in the DFW area some of my most favorite places are Dives and off the beaten Path places! Depending on Appetite we may visit my friends Place Fred’s Texas Cafe Quincy and I have been friends for many years! We cooked on a chuckwagon together and even did a great TV Show together called Bizzare Foods with Andrew Zimmern which was hoot! We’ve logged a lot of hours together cooking, Benito’s Mexican food near downtown will leave you wanting more! It’s classic Mexican food with homemade tortillias and Salsa like you e never had! I’m also an antique mall junkie I’ve bought and sold and traded since I was in grade school I’m always looking for that next little piece of Gold
Somewhat of a picker I suppose Montgomery st antique mall is a must for any out of towner! As well as Simmons estate jewelry Store off camp Bowie! Lots of cool stuff there as you can imagine! Also Studio 74 Vintage! Do not want to miss this place! And of course Chiefs Trading Post one of a kind hand Procured collection of Turquoise and Native American jewelry and Home to Leatherchief!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit I’ve always said since I was young, there is a different way to make a living it doesn’t have to be 40 hours a week for someone else. When I was 14 I started a business called Texas Hide Works, had my own business cards and everything haha, it was when the western in home deal was starting to change from “Country” To western. I would go down to our local Gibson’s and buy light switch covers and plug covers that went on the wall and Buy or get gifted Scrap leather and cowhide from upholstery people. I would then cover the light switch plates in said cowhide and leather, my mother would take me to town and we’d park at the end of York Ave and I’d peddle my covers to business’s up and down the street. She’d honestly take me wherever to try and sell them. My mother has been an angel she’s ALWAYS had by back always supported whatever wild idea I was involved in or had. She is the epitome of what a Mother is. If it wasn’t for her and all she has given and sacrificed so that I could succeed I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
My wife, Annalee she also has played a huge role in my success the last 5 or so years, pushing me to be the very best version of myself Giving and always being there for whatever I needed at any time, to help me reach my full potential more importantly believing in my work and my craft. I could never be more thankful for two women in this lifetime.

Website: https://chiefstradingpost.com/

Instagram: @leatherchief @chiefstrading

Facebook: @Garren still @chiefs trading post

Image Credits
Piper Still