Michael Skinner
Rawhide braiding
Kirkland, WA
Michael Skinner grew up in a cattle ranch in Jordan Valley, Oregon and now lives in
Kirkland. During his childhood he was able to observe the hired hands braiding rawhide and
leather horse tack, which sparked his interest in the process. His business career took him
out of the agricultural field and he was unable to fully pursue that interest until
2002 when he received a WSAC Apprenticeship Program grant to study with Steve Derricott,
of Boise, Idaho. Derricott was apprenticed to his father in the mid 1990s and uses a
series of contrasting interweaves to create truly unique pieces of braid work. Rawhide
braiding was adapted from skills used by Native Americans, Mexican Americans and other
cowboys to create functional horse tack.
During the apprenticeship, Derricott focused on teaching Michael to cut and bevel leather
and rawhide, braiding leather reins, headstalls, and creating several bosals. Michael has
been practicing and teaching the art form ever since.