Steve Derricott
date of broadcast: September 9, 2009

Steve Derricott was born into a ranching and farming family in southeastern Idaho in 1950. His father, Lloyd, was an accomplished horseman and self-taught rawhide braider. Although fascinated by the rawhide tack items his father was making, young Derricott had only a passing interest in learning the art form. He did, however, develop a lasting appreciation for quality leather goods and that figured prominently in his later endeavors. Leather-crafting as a hobby and the creation of belts, wallets, holsters, and purses were sources of enjoyment during his teen-age years.

After high school, Derricott left his rural childhood behind to attend Boise State University, where he earned a B.S. in geology. Employment with mining, engineering, and utility companies provided him opportunities to travel the western states. Working as a geologist from 1974 to 1985, he acquired leather field equipment manufactured by Roy Gfeller of Cheney, Washington, and they became friends. In 1985, Steve purchased Roy Gfeller Casemakers and moved the business to Meridain, where it opened as Gfeller Casemakers, run with his wife, Lori.

Since then, they have operated the shop continuously. The days of working leather as a hobby were over, but a renewed interest in quality rawhide braid work was rekindled. In 1994, he and his father applied to the Idaho Commission on the Arts for a Traditional Arts Apprenticeship as master and apprentice. That winter they spent long hours braiding rawhide together, weaving, as well, a relationship based on mutual respect for each other’s craft.

Steve Derricott is now regarded as a master rawhide and leather braider himself, one who has developed a style of braiding colored rawhide and leather into unique pieces. Along the way, he invented and patented the Lace Maker, an innovative machine for cutting and beveling leather and rawhide for braiding.

Listen to Steve Derricott's story.






2009 Featured Artists
and date of broadcast

Margaret Aho Poet, Pocatello November 25, 2009 Jill Aldape Oinkari Dancer, Boise August 26, 2009 Mary Clearman Blew Writer, Moscow November 11, 2009 Jim Cockey Composer, McCall October 14, 2009 Vince Crofts Musician, Firth December 2, 2009 Steve Derricott Rawhide braider, Boise September 9, 2009 Molly Hill Painter, Boise August 19, 2009 Jim Loney and Colleen McNutt Artists, Moscow September 24, 2009 Ron McFarland Poet, Moscow September 16, 2009 Aage Nielsen Musician, Boise October 21, 2009 Philomena Nomee Beadworker, Coeur d'Alene October 28, 2009 Amy O'Brien Dancer, Boise November 18, 2009 Troy Passey Artist, Boise September 2, 2009 Randy Priest Hat Maker, Donnelly December 16, 2009 Denis and Margo Proksa Artists, Pocatello December 9, 2009 Diane Raptosh Poet, Boise August 5, 2009 Nita Sale Quilter September 30, 2009 Stephen Schultz Painter, Sandpoint November 4, 2009 Cary Schwarz Saddlemaker, Salmon August 12, 2009 Evelyn Sooter Assemblager, Clark Fork December 23, 2009 Robert Wrigley Poet, Moscow October 7, 2009

Art & Soul 2009
Art & Soul 2008

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