There are many really good silversmiths these days and one of the best is Joe Spiller in Wingate, Texas. Joe’s wife is Baru.
Joe operates a one-man shop and painstakingly hand-crafts each order individually. He will not sacrifice his quality workmanship and attention to detail to do rush orders and the demand for his work increases each year. Unfortunately that dilemma creates a longer delivery date. The current estimated completion time on custom orders is approximately five years.
Joe has spent his life ranching and has worked in Texas and New Mexico in a variety of jobs including ranch foreman. From his website: “Having ridden all his life, Joe realizes the importance of correct balance and function, so his spur and bit-making techniques are tried and tested. No matter how unique the style or ornate the mountings, every piece that leaves his shop is meant to be used. He is proud his products are handcrafted one piece at a time. With over twenty years experience making custom spurs and bits, his clientele includes ranchers, cowboys and horseman in all disciplines of western riding from Canada to Texas, California to Europe and Australia.”
Well, it’s true all his pieces are functional but he also has a special talent making them really beautiful.
There is a book containing photographs of his work up to 2005 that you can get at his website and he does several western shows a year where you can see his work in person. It is definitely worth the time to stop and talk to him.
And if you want to learn about the horses Baru and Joe breed and raise to sell, you can learn more at their ranch website Spiller Ranch.
You can learn more about his silversmith work at at his website Joe Spiller.