Dust, Nerves, and Burned Hats: Rodeo Prep in Full Swing

Tomorrow night, I’ll be setting up my little booth under the stars at a rodeo—and my heart is doing that wild mix of excitement and nerves that only happens when something really matters.

I just filmed a commercial for my upcoming hatburning workshop (still wrapping my head around that!), and I’ve got two more events lined up over the next couple of weeks. It’s a whirlwind. My studio’s a mess. My brain’s a checklist. And my soul? Somewhere between “I’ve got this” and “What if I forget everything?”

This rodeo is different. It’s a nighttime event, which means lighting, setup, and energy will all shift. Will my tent be bright enough? Will people see the details in each burned hat—the trails, the feathers, the firelight etched into every brim? I hope so. I think so. I’m packing extra lights just in case.

And then there’s that quiet voice—the one that whispers imposter syndrome when I’m tired. The one that says, “Are you really ready for this?” But here’s the truth: I am. Not perfectly. Not without nerves. But with heart, grit, and a whole lot of burned beauty.

Every hat I’m bringing tells a story. Some are tattered, some are bold, some feel like they’ve walked through fire and come out softer. Just like me.

So if you’re near New Windsor, Illinois tomorrow night, come find me. I’ll be the one with the pyrography pen, the dusty boots, and the booth full of soul.

Let’s light up the night.