Some might call this artistic expression…others will recognize it as the best way to get even after an ugly divorce.

Here’s “how to” turn a perfectly good cowboy boot into…

• a lamp
• a set of bookends
• a purse
• a planter (ouch!)
• a birdhouse…and more!!

Any other ideas? Comments?

Alright, I admit it. I’m a “boot geek”…and as such, I have a “favorite shoe historian.”

His name is Cameron Kippen…and I just found his blog, “foot talk,” which is a “collection of short anecdotes and funny stories about feet and shoes.”

Don’t miss out.

Actor Joaquin Phoenix recently caused quite a stir when he insisted on wearing plastic cowboy boots in his upcoming Johnny Cash biopic.

Whether you call them vegetarian, vegan, cruelty-free…or just plain ol’ plastic, finding leather look-alike boots often isn’t easy.

Boy, not like five years ago…back then it was easy. In their die-hard attempts to reduce production costs, nearly all the large-scale boot manufacturers had increased their use of vinyls, plastics, and cardboard. Many popular name brand boots were being made solely from “man-made materials.”

But today there is China…and China changes everything. Now, with cheaper leather supplies and labor costs you can get a Justin brand genuine cow-hide boot for just $59.99.

For faux-leather cowboy boots I recommend you try your local Target store and look for their low-cost Xhilaration® brand…or turn to a dedicated specialty online retailer like Alternative Outfitters or VeganEssentials.com.

For a wider selection of styles …don’t overlook ebay. Try keyword searches like cowboy boots manmade …then narrow your search for women’s or men’s styles. Get creative. Even a search with “cowboy boots leather-like” will bring up different pairs to choose from.

If it is important to you to have absolutely no animal products used in your boots — double check the boot heel, make sure the manufacturer has not used a thin leather vaneer in an attempt to mimic a traditional stacked leather heel.

One more thing to consider in your purchase — make sure you are happy with the fit of your boots, man-made materials do not have the same give or stretch that leather does.

Just look for flowing inlay, fancy stitching and the Nashville tour buses parked out front of the shop. It doesn’t matter who’s wearing them Bo Riddle’s cowboy boots always take center stage.

Photo by David Mudd, American Profile.