Windy Ridge Designs was founded in 1995 by expert engraver Bob Hawley and master silversmith Dan Mashburn. With over 60 years combined experience in "Smithing" precious metals, every piece is made as close to perfection as possible. We believe this is clearly manifested in our products detailed construction and finish. Born out of original concept and design, each piece is 100% hand crafted and unique unto itself. just like the people that purchase them, no two are exactly alike.

Bob & Dan first met in 1973 while working as new employees for what was then the largest silversmith co. west of the Mississippi - Diablo Mfg. Silversmiths in Grass Valley CA. At that time, Grass Valley was a sleepy little foothill town in the heart of California's mother lode gold country. A mix of hippies and loggers congenially co-existing - Really! Bob started out as a polisher and Dan went to the assembly bench with torch in hand. However congenial the town was, their first meeting wasn't. Dan was an upbeat, happy-go-lucky guy who whistled and sang all the time, while Bob took his job more seriously and complained about Dan's good nature. Despite a rough start and a few "Give a Damn's" Bob and Dan rather quickly became friends. And over the years, the best of friends. And through those years, plied their skills as silver smiths.

Both men designed and fabricated for a variety of companies and individuals of note. And many organizations of note for those companies as well, including the National Rodeo Finals, National High School Finals Rodeo, the Reno Rodeo, American Quarter Horse Association, Australian Quarter Horse Association, Mule Days in Bishop CA.,Hot August Nights, National Air Races and the Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Museum, just to name a few.
While at Diablo Mfg. in 1974, they had the distinct honor of fabricating the components for a pair of 14K gold cufflinks and gold acoustical guitar tie clip for none other than the King himself, Elvis Presley - "God rest his soul."

During that time, Bob took a keen interest in hand engraving and custom designs. Picking up a few tips here and there from accomplished "production engravers" and attending a handful of drafting and drawing courses, Bob has mastered several engraving techniques, while being primarily self taught. A big break came in the early 90's when Bob went to work for a large western accessories mfg. company, where he worked with three of the western industries premier master engravers, adding new techniques to his style. Having a hand at engraving master dies for mass production involved in a process called coining. Hundreds, even thousands of items were pressed from a single die, cloning as it were. So many hours had to be spent engraving each "master" as close to perfection as possible, resulting in a near perfect product each and every time.

During this same period of time, Dan was busy mastering age-old techniques in metalsmithing. Fabricating and assembling while contracting to a variety of custom shops, he helped to improve their' production process and the quality of their products. While heading off in different directions in the industry, Bob and Dan shared these skills and imparted knowledge to one another over the years. These mastered techniques translate into each of our hand made items.