Scott Hardy to design an exclusive buckle for Stetson!

All of us here at Cowboy Country would like to send our congratulations out to Scott Hardy!

Scott has been selected by Stetson, one of America’s oldest and most iconic brands, to design an exclusive buckle for the launch of the brand’s first-ever belt collection.  This buckle will retail for $2,600 and only a limited amount will be produced.  In conjunction with Stetson’s belt launch, Scott will also be inducted into the brand’s celebrated Craftsman’s Alliance Program which was created in 2010 to recognize excellence in all art and craftsmanship disciplines.

Scott is joined by fellow artists Shane Hendren of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Zan & Patience Traughber of Pendleton, Oregon, each of whom will design a buckle for the Stetson launch and be inducted into the Craftsman’s Alliance as well.  These three exclusive buckles, retailing between $1,799 – $2,600 will be part of the “Craftsman’s Alliance” collection.  Stetson will also offer an “Inspired-By” sub-collection containing buckles that were inspired by the designs seen in the exclusive “Craftsman’s Alliance” collection at a lower price point of $150.

Scott’s Design

 

Here’s a little bio on Scott:

Scott Hardy’s commitment to working with silver is as deep as his roots in Western Canada. As a fifth generation stockman, he understands the dedication required to excel. He has been a full time silversmith and engraver since 1981.

Though largely self-taught, Hardy acknowledges the work of modern masters Al Pecetti and Mark Drain, and looks back as well to such turn-of-the-century craftsmen as the artisans at Tiffanys. They have inspired Hardy to give contemporary expression to Classic Western forms.

Hardy has been honored by the Academy of Western Artists, receiving the 2001 Will Rogers Award as Engraver of the Year. In 1994, his work was judged best of show at the 10th Anniversary Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, and in 1999, he was a founding member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association.

In 2006, Hardy was invited to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. to lecture, demonstrate Western silversmithing, hand engraving and represent craftsmen of Alberta.

“Embellishing horse and rider with precious metals is a tradition as old as man has been on horseback,” Hardy Remarks. “Crossing tribal and cultural boundries, silver and gold trappings have expressed the pride of horseman throughout the millennia. The image of a cowboy still stirs our ideals of independence, integrity and freedom, while appreciation of things well-made, by hand, flourishes in this age of mass production and mediocrity.

In addition to the belt buckles and saddle silver that are the traditional heart of his craft, Hardy has also turned his hand to a wide range of jewelry and other personal items.

Each piece entirely hand-made in sterling and gold, reflects his refined approach to the merging of classing western motifs with non-traditional objects.

 

Special thanks to Dava from Alison Brod Public Relations for the information!