bootjack

I'd never done much woodworking before, except for an eighth-grade shop class, where my greatest achievement was making a bootjack.

The lucky winner was Matt Torok, who will receive a pair of ProRodeo boots, a belt, and a special 15th Anniversary bootjack from Corral Boots, plus a Gold Coast vest and a Las Vegas getaway from Boyd Gaming Corporation

Similarly, the night-howling tomcat has a just claim to reverential consideration as precursor to the hurtling bootjack.

The dressing-case was of silver, with the name studded on the lid in turquoises; the brushes, bootjack, boot-trees, whip-stands, were of ivory and tortoiseshell; a couple of tiger skins were on the hearth with a retriever and blue greyhound in possession; above the mantel-piece were crossed swords in all the varieties of gilt, gold, silver, ivory, aluminum, chiseled and embossed hilts; and on the walls were a few perfect French pictures, with the portraits of a greyhound drawn by Landseer, of a steeple-chaser by Harry Hall, one or two of Herring's hunters, and two or three fair women in crayons.

Cabinet maker Glyn Rees of Dinas Mawddwy carving the chair for Powys Eisteddfod in 1961 Picture: Life and Tradition in Rural Wales Jackie Claydon restoring a saddle at her Bootjack Saddlery shop in Conwy, in August 1988 Baking an oatcake on a bakestone at Erw Deg, Bala, in 1970 Picture: Life and Tradition in Rural Wales Marram grass weaving in Newborough, Anglesey, around 1947 Picture: Life and Tradition in Rural Wales by J Geraint Jenkins Eddie Williams of Aberdaron making a traditional Llyen lobster pot in 1965 Picture: Life and Tradition in Rural Wales Volunteers Philip Rowe, Paul Evans and John Evans restore the drystone walls at St David's College, Llandudno, in July 1992

Seat, storage-box and stylish bootjack in one, the Welly Boot Box keeps muddy wellies and riding boots stored away neatly, it helps you take them off with dignity and gives you somewhere to sit while you put on your shoes.

Another CERT member suggested blowing air in the boot to assist in pulling the boot off the bootjack CERT's Walt Rostykus of Humantech, an ergonomics consulting firm, suggested different handle sizes and foam wrapping for some of the tools such as hammers and pinches.

To pull off the boots without touching them, I use a bootjack or wedge the heel against steps.

Parking ($6) is available at Bootjack, East Peak, and Pantoll.