VanCleave Silver – original in every way!
From a foundation in rodeo and ranching, VanCleave Silver creates handcrafted original works of art celebrating the western lifestyle.
These timeless pieces are hand crafted by master silversmith Danny VanCleave.
Born and raised at the base of the Rocky Mountains near Calgary, Danny VanCleave always had a passion for the outdoors. An avid hunter and rodeo enthusiast, Danny’s inspiration flows from a strong foundation of the western lifestyle culture.
In 1912, Danny’s grandfather was a contestant in the first Calgary Stampede, an inspiration for the generations ahead, as Danny’s dad and uncle continue the tradition participating the 1950’s.As a young boy Danny was introduced to the sport of Rodeo where he competed in boys steer riding. As he grew older, his interests changed to roping calves and team roping. Although it is Danny’s passion for wildlife, hunting and the wonder of the outdoors that continues to inspire Danny, now as a father of two young Cowboys in the open prairie near Viking.
Danny VanCleave was destined to become a silversmith, at the age of nine years old, Danny made his first buckle for the legendary Larry Mahan. Now, with over 20 years as a silversmith, Danny draws upon his training in Nebraska, where he learned his as a silversmith at the age of only 18 and continued to hone his skills while living in Clayton, New Mexico.
Bits, spurs, jewelry, buckles, and gun engraving are completely original in design and are entirely handmade.
Complimenting Danny’s skills as a silversmith, Carolyn VanCleave brings the artistic inspiration to each handcrafted piece. Carolyn has always been a collector of fine and beautiful pieces of jewelry. She has mastered the craft of using semi–precious stones and silver to create one–of–a–kind pieces that reflect her artistic capabilities.
Raised on a third generation ranch near Viking, Alberta, with a passion for horses, Carolyn has bred, raised, trained and competed on her own horses at the highest level – winning the Reserve Champion Non–Pro Working Cow Horse at the Calgary Stampede in 2002. As working partners in the Ruzicka Ranch, both Danny and Carolyn balance the silversmith and jewelry business with the family’s successful Quarter Horse breeding program and production sale.
The combination of Danny and Carolyn’s skills bring a new dynamic to western art and their work was featured in the Western Horse Review in 2008 and 2009.
Danny and Carolyn’s roots and values are reflected in their art and their lives, as they raise their two little cowboys on the Alberta prairies. "We feel blessed to have a strong partnership and shared passions."
