HURRICANE — Kody Jacobs, leatherworker and owner of Wide Open Customs in Hurricane, is in the running for an award recognizing his artform. Jacobs creates custom leather belts, bags, saddles, rope cans, bull riding chaps, working chaps, gun holsters and more.
Jacobs comes from a long line of talented artists. Growing up, his father operated a leather hobby and repair shop, his grandfather owned a shoe shop and his great-grandfather was a saddle builder. He spent much of his childhood in shops watching art being created and learned many techniques at an early age.
He said he finds inspiration for his designs in every aspect of his life. Something as simple as seeing a pattern on a tablecloth could inspire his next leatherwork project.
He also finds inspiration in his music selections, ranging from Metallica to Frank Sinatra, depending on the piece he is working on. He can usually be found cranking the music up in his garage and getting to work.
Overcoming a traumatic brain injury
While installing fireplaces in September 2013, Jacobs suffered a traumatic brain injury. He doesn’t have a clear memory of the incident but said that the hinge of a wood-burning stove broke through his skull.
He was still awake and coherent when he was taken to the hospital, thinking he would simply be getting stitches and returning to work.
Upon arrival, he was instead rushed immediately into emergency brain surgery. He has a metal plate in his head to this day and suffers from migraines daily.
Despite the long road to recovery, Jacobs said he believes that his brain injury actually helped his creativity, which allows him to do more unique leatherwork and intricate designs. He is currently in the running for Make Magazine’s DIY Hero Award.
According to the magazine, the goal of the DIY Hero Award is to find the next big name in DIY (do-it-yourself) by showcasing the hard work and passion it takes to create unique works of art throughout all industries.
The DIY Hero Competition will donate a portion of the net proceeds from this year’s competition to the American Lung Association – an organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.
Each DIY competitor will be guided through the competition by TV host Mark Bowe, best known for his role on the Magnolia Network show “Barnyard Builders,” where Bowe and his team specialize in the rescue and restoration of 18th- and 19th-century cabins and barns.
Winning this competition would result in Jacobs’ greatest creations being featured in a two-page advertorial in Make Magazine and taking home a prize of $25,000. Jacobs is currently ranked third in his class in the competition.
Jacobs said he would like to showcase a project he’s been creating for his sons.
“I’ve been dragging my feet on building my three boys a saddle, and I’d like to showcase that,” he said. “I’ve got a few other nontraditional ideas on how to showcase it for them so it’s more unique and they can pass on what their dad built. That’s my favorite thing, to build stuff that lasts forever.”
Jacobs said he already has some ideas for how he would spend the contest’s prize money.
“I got a few more machines I’d like that would help production and I’d also like to buy a prospect horse to start rodeoing again.”
How to vote in the DIY Hero contest
Voting is now open, with the first cut taking place March 24 at 8 p.m.
To vote Kody Jacobs for DIY Hero, click here.
There are two options to vote:
- Select from a choice of Impact Votes – votes that benefit the American Lung Association.
- Complete a free daily vote by logging in with Facebook.
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