Just north of Phoenix, tucked around Black Mountain, are the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona. (Yes, that Carefree of the Carefree Highway fame). As you round the corner from Cave Creek Road going North, you come across Buffalo Bill’s Desperate Cowboy shop. Filled with huge pots and vessels, cow skulls, and rusted metal sculptures, the store is a mix of art, craft, and kitsch. But it is unmistakable good fun, and I love picking up treasures from one of the sheds. Here’s a cross section of what you’ll find there:
A metal sculpture caballero, complete with patina'd copper sombrero.
This chicken looks stern, but surrounded by friends, he seems more friendly.
The chicken is at least 5 feet tall. Wonder how big the egg would be?
The pale pots were sitting in the shade, cooling. The center one has an inscription, but it's unreadable.
Outside the shed, 4-ft. tall pots bake in the sun.
This great mask would make a wonderful fountain.
On the roof of the main store, this horse waits to gallop off.
You can't miss the store's Old-West aura.
—Quinn McDonald is a writer and certified creativity coach. All the photos were taken with her iPhone, because the best camera is the one you have ready to go.
QuinnCreative 
It’s totally doable, Jackie. I love the idea. . .but will your neighbors want to hear La Cucaracha that often? How about a little Cielito Lindo?
Don’t laugh–or do–but some day I plan to own a trio of those life-sized Mariachi band players. I think of it every time I see one. Your photo reminded me once again. I want only three of them. I want to place them in the far left-hand corner of my backyard–two of my old palm trees died to create the space for them–and I want them to play La Cucaracha every time I open my backdoor. This is going to require some electric work. But that’s my secret wish. I think it’ll be fun and quirky and very much me. Can’t wait!
Hi Could someone tell the actual address? I LOVE them I ordered 8 pieces from them when they were selling on ebay then they just stopped selling over a year ago and I’ve been trying to track them down ever since. The prices were great at that time, are they still affordable? I’ve been to few other places in AZ and NV and the prices are crazy. I just love their stuff and would love to take a trip to their store I live past Kingman Mohave county but it would be a fun day.
Sure, Rita–The trade name is Buffalo Bill’s Trading and they are at 6009 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek AZ 85331. Their phone number is 480-488-1499.
Have fun!
OMGoodness!!! I LOVE that place too—and we went there this weekend also!! What a hoot!!
I also LOVE that Mexican restaurant with the pond inside as well!! But the name of it slips me right now!
Quinn…we need to hang out. End of story.
Big hugs!
The Mexican restaurant is called El Encanto, and we ate there, too, this weekend.That’s so funny, we were probably standing next to each other and didn’t know it! Much of me is hanging out already.
I would say driftwood furniture fits right into this collection. for example roel verhulst driftwood furniture (meubels van drijfhout) at http://www.roelverhulst.nl
Is this art from recycled materials?
I like those big pale pots!
The metal is recycled. The pots are made from local clay. I loved the grouping of the pale ones, too!