Master Western Upholstery With The Rusted Roan

In-Person Upholstery Workshops and Retreats

Workshops for 2026

Virginia City, Nevada
Experience hands-on Western upholstery in a historic mining town setting. Multiple dates will be offered throughout 2026, including private lessons and small-group workshops. Fly-in options and chair return shipping are available for added convenience.

Workshop Options

Private Lessons
Private Group Workshops
-Chair Workshops (2–3 days, depending on class size)
-1-Day Bench Workshops

Available dates coming soon.

Texas Creative Workshop — March 2027

Fort Worth, Texas
A focused, hands-on workshop featuring upholstery and furniture painting, with an optional Fort Worth inspiration day. This format allows attendees to arrange their own lodging and meals while keeping the experience skill-centered and accessible.

Details and registration coming soon.

Mastermind Retreat — Fall 2027

Virginia City, Nevada
An intimate, high-touch mastermind experience for creative women ready to turn their art or trade into multiple streams of income and build a sustainable business.

Hosted through the Cowgirl Art Collective, this retreat brings together makers across disciplines while remaining deeply rooted in Western craftsmanship and heritage.

Details and application information coming soon.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

*Only one workshop can be selected per form submission. If you wish to register for another option you can resubmit again.

Virginia City Private Lessons & Small Group Workshops

I am currently offering private lessons and small private group workshops in Virginia City, NV.
Workshops are intentionally small so you receive hands-on guidance and leave with a finished piece you’re proud of.

Available formats:

• Private 1:1 chair/bench lessons
• Private group bench workshops
• Private group 2–3 day chair workshops

Workshop length depends on the number of participants and the complexity of the chair frames.

Workshop Formats

Private Lessons (1:1)

Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting focused, one-on-one support.

Private lessons are tailored to your skill level and project. Most beginner chair projects can be completed in 2 days with dedicated guidance.

2–3 Day Chair Workshops (Private Groups)

These small group workshops are immersive and hands-on. You will spend full days upholstering, learning techniques from start to finish, and working alongside other motivated makers.

The exact length depends on:
• Number of participants
• Chair complexity
• Experience level

The goal is simple: solid skills, real confidence, and a finished piece.

What You Need to Bring

1-Day Bench Workshops (Private Groups)

Once you register, you will receive a shopping list and material guide to help you prepare.

Participants provide:
• Bench seat base and legs
• Fabric and finishes
• Padding materials

Your bench frame should be pre-cut to size and ready to assemble and upholster when you arrive.

This allows us to make the most of our day together and ensures you leave with a beautiful finished bench.

Chair Workshops & Private Lessons

For chair projects, you will bring your own chair that has been:

• Torn down
• Repaired
• Refinished or painted

Participants provide:
• Chair frame
• Padding materials
• Fabric and finishes

All tools and specialty equipment are provided.

After registering, you will be asked to email a clear photo of your chair frame for approval.
This step ensures your piece is a good fit for the workshop timeframe and helps guarantee a successful, finished project.

Want to Bring That Old Piece Back to Life — or Start a Side Hustle Doing It?

You can — and I’ll show you how at our in-person Western Upholstery workshops and retreats.

Whether it’s your grandma’s chair, a flea-market find, or a bare frame you want to turn into a bold Western statement… you don’t need years of experience. You need the right hands-on guidance — and that’s exactly what you’ll get with me, in the room.

What you’ll learn (hands-on, step-by-step):

How to rebuild from the frame up: webbing, padding, tips for upholstering with leather and specialty fabrics, pattern-matching, and more
Working with leather, cowhide, fringe, and decorative nails
Design planning, material selection, and pro finishing details
(Optional at select retreats) Pricing and selling basics if you want to turn this into paid work

What’s included:

Small-group instruction so you get real feedback (not just watching a screen)
Tools & supplies on site (bring your piece or use a provided frame—varies by event)
Clear checklists and the digital workbook so you can repeat the process at home
Retreats often include lodging/meals so you can focus, and create (standard workshops do not include lodging/meals)

If you’ve spent hours pinning western-style chairs, this is where you stop scrolling and start building. You’ll head home with a finished piece and the confidence to do it again.

Imagine that chair sitting proudly in your home (or headed to a paying client) — not because someone else made it, but because you did.

And when someone asks, “Where did you get that?”
You get to say, “I made it.”

Spots are limited. Check dates and claim your seat.

Want to Know What to Expect at a Workshop or Retreat?

You work on your piece from minute one.
No stage demo, no sitting and watching. I coach you on your project—step by step—so the technique is on your frame, not a sample piece.

What we’ll tackle (on your chair):

Upholstering with leather, hair on hide or fabrics of your choice
Making precise relief cuts around posts for a clean, professional finish
Foundations, padding, upholstery, and final finishes

What’s included on site:

The digital version of the "Getting Started in Western Upholstery Workbook" with clear diagrams, tool lists, supplier contacts and upholstering instructions
Small-group format with 1:1 troubleshooting and guidance as you go
Reference materials you’ll take home so you can repeat the process with confidence

You’ll leave with a finished chair, a repeatable workflow, and the confidence to do it again—on your next piece or for a paying client.

Retreats often include lodging/meals so you can focus, create, and actually finish (while standard workshops do not)
Ready to dive in? Join the waitlist—seats are limited.