Hey there!
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Iām Sierra, an upholsterer, educator, and lover of good horses, fine fabrics, and all things western.
I built this business from the ground up with nothing but a staple gun, a wild vision, and a deep love forĀ restoring old furniture with a Western soul. What started as a way to create pieces that felt like home has grown into a movement teaching others how to build real skills, express themselves through design, and make a living doing something they love.
Whether Iām tying coil springs on a century-old frame or leading live Zooms inside our online membership, my mission is simple: to keep thisĀ trade alive and accessibleĀ with quality, creativity, and a little cowgirl grit.
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What I Do:
Ā I wear a lot of hats and most of them have fringe.
Hereās what Iāve built under The Rusted Roan and Cowgirl Art Collective:
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šļø Host of Stitched in Tradition ā a podcast about craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and the Western lifestyle
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šŖ Online Upholstery Courses & Membership ā where I teach Western-style upholstery step-by-step
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š§µ In-Person Workshops & Upholstery Retreats ā immersive experiences across the U.S. and beyond
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šØ Creative Freedom Pieces ā one-of-a-kind western upholstered pieces that blend upholstery and story
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š The Cowgirl Ball ā a western art showcase and live music event benefiting female western makers
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š Custom Upholstery Work ā limited spots available for unique commissions and heirloomĀ restorations
If itās got cowhide, character, or creative soul ā Iām in.
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My Story
I grew up riding horses and raising livestock (and still do). The kind of life that teaches you to work hard, fix whatās broken, and stay grounded in who you are. My grandma gave me a love for antiques and creating with my hands. I spent years working in healthcare, using upholstery as a creative outlet on the side. It was never supposed to be more than thatā¦ until it was.
Teaching wasnāt something I ever planned on. But that changed when Tammy Pate, founder of Art of the Cowgirl, invited me to be the upholstery instructor for one of their events. That opportunity lit a spark I didnāt know was there.
To prepare for Art of the Cowgirl, I decided to offer a couple of local upholstery classes. Both sold out almost immediately. Then someone from my online community messaged me and said, āWould you ever consider teachingĀ online?ā
So I said yes.
One thing led to another, and here we are.
What started as a side project turned into something bigger,Ā a movement to champion other creative women and cowgirl artists. A way to teach others what I wish someone had taught me from the beginning: how to work with leather, hair-on hide, and bold Western fabrics without fear or frustration. Most upholsterers donāt teach this style, and many donāt work with these materials at all.
I had to figure it out the hard way, and I decided no one else should have to.Ā
The Rusted Roan is named after my late roany gelding - a horse who carried me through seasons of change and showed me the value of staying steady and showing up. That same spirit runs through everything I do now: helping others gain confidence, master their craft, share their creativity with the world, and bring their ideas to life.
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