Bootmaker creates 'art' at Capitol

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Just as any artist signs his work, bootmaker Ramon Navarro autographs each pair he creates. He has made around 5,000 pairs of boots for everyday cowboys to famous singers and politicians. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

December 11, 2003 -- Whether they're worn while tromping through the livestock auction barn, dancing the night away, or simply propped up on a desk, a pair of custom-made boots is something special to see, and wear.

Considered a work of art in most cases, custom-made boots come in all colors and styles. It's up to the owner to decide, from an array of leathers, colors, and stitching, what he or she likes best.

And when it comes to putting it all together, many custom-made boot owners have trusted Ramon Navarro in Austin to do it right.

"When they say they fit like a glove, I know that I am doing my job," Navarro said.

The 60-year-old bootmaker has worked at Capitol Saddlery, 1614 Lavaca St., in Austin for over 30 years. Navarro learned his skills while working in his father's boot shop in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Navarro earned a job at Capitol Saddlery in 1970 after he moved to Austin from San Antonio. To date, Navarro figured he's made about 5,000 pairs of custom boots.

Capitol Saddlery is famous in its own right, due to the company's founder, T.C. "Buck" Steiner, who worked at everything from ranching to saddle-making to rodeo promotion. Four generations and counting of Steiner's have been involved in the running of Capitol Saddlery.

At the low-slung, rectangle-shaped shop, where the smell of leather consumes even the hardwood floors, Navarro is busy creating boots from about 7 in the morning until 5:30 in the evening. He has one or two helpers assisting him with some of the chores, such as tacking the leather to the form or finishing the heels, at the shop which sets just a few blocks from the state's Capitol.

Of course, most anyone can learn to make boots, and after years of practice, most can turn out quality items. But many will agree it takes a special talent to turn out boots like Navarro does.

So is Navarro a tradesman or an artist?

"Definitely an artist," said Mike Slover, manager of Capitol Saddlery. "He's done some (boot) tops that are just unbelievable; like one with a rainbow trout. If you've seen pictures of just some of the boots we have in the shop right now, those don't do him justice as to what he can create."

Slover, a skilled leather craftsman, builds many of the custom saddles at Capitol.

Besides boots and saddles, Capitol Saddlery also caters to those who seek unique belts and other leather goods. The business, today, is owned by Bobby Steiner and sons Tommy Shane (country singer) and Sid Steiner (professional rodeo'er).

With the owners' connections, Navarro's talents have caught the attention of several famous people, such as country singers Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos.

It was about two years ago that Navarro created a pair of red ostrich boots for Jackson. Navarro traveled to Nashville to meet with the singer to take measurements and discuss leathers, design, etc. Once Jackson received that pair, Jackson ordered six more pair (different styles, including one pair with green suede) from the bootmaker.

The price range for custom-made boots can start at $800. Navarro said the most expensive pair of boots he's ever made was about $4,000 "for a doctor in Houston. They were alligator, all the way."

Alligator is just one of the exotic leathers that can be used for the unique footwear, and the cost is about $1,500 for a simple pair of boots made from the reptile's hide. Other exotic leathers are elephant, stingray, anteater, and ostrich, which is the most popular, according to Navarro.

The exotic leather in the shop is kept in boxes because sunlight will "make it fade and make it rotten," the bootmaker explained.

The various leathers can add color and style to the boots, and most of the extravagant designs are on the boots' tops and inlays.

Although it looks easy as the veteran bootmaker designs, stitches, and puts together each pair, it's only with meticulous care that Navarro makes each boot. Then, after many hours of work, Navarro, the bootmaking artist, places his signature inside each pair of boots he custom makes.