How to Make Decorative Spurs for Women's Boots

Inspiration for spurs

Just like clothes are known to make the man, decorative spurs can make the woman's boots. Some of the spur styles, however, may leave you frustrated. All you seem to find are plain old silver spurs or functional ones that can rip up linoleum, neither of them a look you desire. You don't want them for riding your stead into the sunset; you want them for your own prancing. You can make decorative spurs for women's boots with a lot of creativity and a few materials.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sheet metal Welder or heavy-duty metal glue or epoxy Snips Leather straps or cord Studs, snaps or short screws with nuts Paint, paint pens and sealer (optional)

1. Create the spur straps. Measure the length around the base of the boot, right above the foot. Decide how long you want the strap and how long you want the metal spur. Use snips to cut two lengths of leather that will fit around the front ankle part of each boot. Leather strips about 1-inch wide work well, which you will attach with studs, snaps or short screws to the spurs. You can also use a leather cord that you can knot to attach to the spurs.

2. Fashion the spurs. Cut two lengths of sheet metal or flat metal pipe that fit around the back heel of each boot. They should be U-shaped and snug but not cutting into the boot's leather. Make sure they are long enough to connect with the straps to create a good fit. Bore or use the welder to create holes at the ends of each spur where it will be connected to the leather strap.

3. Add spur adornments. Use snips to cut small stars, spirals, shapes and other interesting shapes from the sheet metal. You can also use a variety of metal charms or even debris you find fetching to decorate your spurs. Attach your adornments to the spur by welding the ornaments to the sheet or metal pipe. If you'd rather not weld, pick a heavy-duty metal glue or epoxy to secure the ornaments.

4. Connect strap to spur. Use a stud, heavy-metal snap or short screw with a nut on the end to connect the spur to the leather strap. Four of these attachments are needed, one for each side of each spur. If you've chosen cord, simply thread the cord ends through the spur holes and knot to secure. Add a decorative bead at the end of the cord for better security and a nice touch.

5. Paint as desired. If the plain sheet metal look on your spurs just isn't cutting it, get some spray paint and pens to gussy them up. A fine mist of paint over silver sheet metal will give the spurs a jazzy look. Spray paint is also available in several metallic hues, such as gold, silver and antique copper. Use paint pens to liven up the ornaments with a dash of color on each. Spray with a sealer, such as polyurethane, to preserve.

Tips & Warnings

• Leather straps, cords, studs, snaps and beads can be found at fabric and craft stores. Sheet metal can be found at hardware stores or salvage yards. Better yet, use metal from another object you are about to recycle. Paint in a variety of fun colors, paint pens and sealer are available at craft or hardware stores. Using studs or snaps will permanently connect the spurs. If you want to be able to switch them over to more than one pair of boots, use the screw and nut, at least for the inside connection of the spur, so you can easily remove them.

• Do not walk too closely to anything that can damage your spurs or be damaged by your spurs. Do not weld anything to the spurs while they are attached to the boots.