STUDIO VISIT: LESLIE CROW OF HEYOKA LEATHER IN AUSTIN

While visiting Austin, I took a trip out to visit Heyoka Leather’s Leslie Crow on her farm with another new friend, Emily Hoover of the amazing Feathers Vintage boutique on South Congress in Austin.  I had met Leslie originally in Los Angeles, before she made the move over to Austin and I was real excited to hang out with her again.  We went out to the farm for a down home ladies lunch and some relaxing in the country I had such a great time with these two fashionable ladies.

Leslies’ place was decorated exactly how I would picture it with Native American influences, cowboy references, Mexican and Guatemalan rugs and blankets everywhere and all the elements that a country house on a farm in Texas would have.  It was perfect!

Leslie brought us into her studio room where she sets up all of her beautiful things that she has collected to give her inspiration for her designs.  I literally lost it when I walked in there.  Every last inch was covered with beads, feathers, silver, turquoise, fringe, leather, belt buckles, indians, cowboy boots and so much more! I could barely talk for a good thirty minutes as I took it all in.  Wow, what an inspiring room! I wanted to live in there and play for days and days.

Leslie’s closet was filled with ethnic prints galore, embroidery, wide sleeves, fringe and lots of long dresses.  Can you see a theme here?

And then I got to look at all of the new Heyoka necklaces that Leslie has been working on using bullet casings, shells and some new materials.  I loved every single one, it was so hard to choose which one I wanted!

Leslie has spent some time silversmithing and has created some beautiful one of a kind rings.

After spending several hours rummaging through her studio, the ladies cooked lunch for me which included vegetables from the garden, fried okra, and the most amazing blue cornbread I have ever tasted.  It was all delicious!

Other cool spots I found on the farm while taking a stroll to the garden.

It was such a great day and really gave me a great perspective on a different type of lifestyle available to Austin residents.  Leslie hosted Thanksgiving at her place a few days after I left which included outdoor dining, bonfires and shooting guns.  Now that sounds like a good time to me.

Many thanks ladies and looking forward to my next Austin visit!

Make sure to follow Heyoka on facebook, and Leslie on instagram @coyotespiritchild

And follow Feathers Vintage on facebook and instagram @feathersboutiquevintage