Nancy Martini gives a tour of her saddle making workshop, Challis, ID, October 6, 2021(Arlie Sommer/Photo by Arlie Sommer for Expres / Arlie Sommer)

Saddle-maker Nancy Martiny is known for her detailed flower leather carvings. She ranches and builds saddles at her home in the high mountain desert of the Pahsimeroi Valley, near May, Idaho.

In 2021, she received the Idaho governor’s award in the arts for Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts. Arlie Sommer brought us into the saddlemaker’s workshop to understand the value of a custom saddle.