I have not yet given into my desire for cowboy boots. When I do succumb to the invitable, however, I plan to start my shopping with these folks:
Luis Jovel Custom Cowboy Bootmaker: I'll start with Fresno-based LJB. Why? Because his boots look great, and because he makes them in the heart of California's real cowboy country.
Courtney Custom Boots: Napa-based Courtney Custom is a one-woman shop that makes custom boots by hand. The waiting list is a year long.
Genio Custom Boots: Escondido-based Genio Custom hand makes elaborate boots at within-dreaming-distances (i.e., less than $1,000) prices.
Hernandez and Sons Custom Boots: San Jose H&SCB makes very pretty things from leathers, including boots.
Ballard Custom Footwear: Beverly Hills-based Ballard custom
makes boots by hand from a variety of leathers. Their website doesn't
say how much the boots cost -- I'm guessing it's a lot a lot a lot.
Custom Boots by Michael Anthony: Sebastopol-based Michael Anthony hand makes custom boots from standard and exotic leathers.
Murga Boot Company: Rancho Santa Margarita-based MBC makes custom leather clothing, including some pretty fantastic boots.