It's official, Lauren Wickline is now a part of MidWestWhips

midwestwhips · Post by **midwestwhips** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:47 am

Lauren Wickline (LemonLauren here on COW) has been studying whipmaking with me for over a year and a half, and her work has improved so much that she has reached the high standard of quality that I have always looked for in an addition to MidWestWhips. I am proud to have asked her to become a part of MidWestWhips, and a full time whipmaker. I'm sure many of you have been following her progress through the posts showing some of the Indy whips she has made, and her ability is quite clear. She has also made many whips which she hasn't posted pictures of that have been just as consistently excellent. I have closely examined the past 15-20 whips she has made, and they are all evenly braided and tightly plaited, have straight seams, and crack effortlessly.

She has amazed me countless times with her ability to learn things faster than anyone I have ever taught. She and I tied her first 7 part 6 bight turks head together, and then after that first time, she could do it perfectly from memory on her own. And to top that, she half-watched me tie a pineapple interweave on a whip once while she was tying a transition knot, and then came to me a few hours later with the pineapple interweave tied perfectly in a 7x6 knot around the handle of my mallet. She has an unmatched knack for leatherwork, and a passion for whipmaking along with a tendency toward consummate perfectionism, which is a combination that is rarely seen these days. Without a doubt, she is already among the most talented whipmakers I know.

What does this means for someone considering ordering a whip from MidWestWhips? Potential customers now (if they want to) have the ability to request that their whip be crafted by either myself or Lauren. If there is no specific request then the whip will either be built by myself, Lauren, or (more likely) we will both have a hand in crafting it. Adding Lauren as a full time whipmaker for Midwestwhips will also dramatically decrease the wait time for receiving a whip from MidWestWhips in most cases. Just email or PM either of us with what type of whip you're looking for, and we'll be able to give you an estimate on when your order will be completed. Also, with two full-time whipmakers behind MidWestWhips, we hope to begin offering a wider variety of products and services along with a faster turnaround on orders.

I have included a couple of pictures below of her latest Indy whip - a 12ft in saddle tan. I am extremely happy to finally make the announcement that Lauren is joining MidWestWhips. Having a partner this talented and passionate about whipmaking is something I have dreamed of for a very long time.

Regards,

Paul Nolan
www.midwestwhips.com

Post by **BullWhipBorton** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:20 am

Paul it's about time!

Congratulations Lauren, That’s great news and a beautiful looking Indy whip!

All the best.

Dan

IndyWhips · Post by **IndyWhips** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:42 am

I must of had a feeling in my water when we exchanged emails the other week

Congratulations Lauren & Paul

Tony

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:43 am

Yes, congratulations to Lauren! And also to Paul for finding a worthy apprentice. That whip is gorgeous.

Cracker · Post by **Cracker** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:09 am

Congratulations Lauren !!

Arthur Dent · Post by **Arthur Dent** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:00 am

Congratulations!

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:27 am

Congrats

kooniu · Post by **kooniu** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:00 am

Congratulations!

Your whip is perfect!

Herr Jones · Post by **Herr Jones** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:46 pm

Congrats Lauren!

rjallen70 · Post by **rjallen70** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 2:36 pm

When first you met, she was but a learner...now she is the master!
R

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:05 am

It is so encouraging to hear that not only is this once-dying art persevering, but also that it is no longer the realm of men only. This is exciting!!

From a fellow whipmaker, My hat's off to you both...Great work!

thefish · Post by **thefish** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:39 am

I wouldn't say it's breaking in to a "Men Only" realm, PB. More like joining the ranks of brilliant whipmakers like Janine Fraser and Fiona Wilks who just happen to be women.

I've never handled a whip by Fiona, but Janine's stockwhips blow everything else I've ever handled out of the water. You just put them in your hand, and they crack! Just beauty.

After handling a couple of the signalwhips that Lauren had made early on, and watching as pics of her bulls began to pop up here on COW, I was wondering when this was going to happen. Paul and I had discussed this a couple times before, and it's great to see it finally official.

Congrats Paul and Congrats Lauren.

All the best and happy cra....er....plaiting!

-Dan

giovanniceleste · Post by **giovanniceleste** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:31 am

My compliments for your entry in MidWestWhips!!!
Beautifull whip
All the best.
G

LemonLauren · Post by **LemonLauren** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:43 pm

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

) I'm so amazed that I've finally been able to quit my day job and become a full-time whipmaker with MidWestWhips. Making whips is easily the most rewarding and challenging job I've ever had, and I've never been happier! Thank you all!!!

Lauren Wickline
www.midwestwhips.com

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:27 pm

You are in good hands w/ Paul... From the looks of your braiding, you don't have far to go.

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:23 pm

Lauren, many congratulations to you.

Boggstandard · Post by **Boggstandard** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:54 pm

I think Lauren is very lucky to work with a truly outstanding whip maker such as Paul.
Paul has a lot of integrity as an artist, and as a businessman.

midwestwhips · Post by **midwestwhips** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:01 am

Thanks a lot to everyone for giving Lauren such a wonderfully warm welcome as a vendor. She certainly has put in quite an enormous amount of time and effort. She constantly surprises me at every turn, and in fact she just created her own pattern for a knot that I've never seen it done before. I'll see if I can get her to post a picture of it, if she has the spare time.

And, congrats' to her from me as well! ;-)

Regards,

Paul Nolan
www.midwestwhips.com