Sterling Wain Campbell, AKA “Sting”, was born and raised in the Sun River Valley of Montana. His desire to learn about saddlery and leather craft was sparked when his older brother came home packing an old saddle he had discovered at the base of a cliff while on a scouting expedition. Sting was just 17 at the time and the old saddle, worn after years of use and miles of riding spoke to him with intrigue mysteries and hidden memories. Though the leather was beyond saving, the tree was still good and Sting made up his mind to restore the nostalgic piece of history. Making a trip to town, he bought all the supplies he would need to rebuild the old saddle. Little did he know at the time that he would become an apprentice at that very saddle shop for ten and a half years.
Throughout those years he learned the saddle making trade from the best. His craftsmanship and creativity has caught the eye of those highest in the trade. Truly an outstanding artist.
He started his own company, Sting Saddlery, while still an apprentice. When his apprenticeship came to a close in 2017, he opened up his own shop full time. Driven with passion and fortitude he designs and creates each item unique.
In 2023 he decided to transition his logo from "STING SADDLERY" with the Bee, into "STERLING CAMPBELL CUSTOM SADDLES" with a traditional Saddle.
From 2009 - 2017 my maker stamp that I put on saddles was STERLING CAMPBELL MAKER. In 2009 after building my first saddle, I started my journey to be the best saddle maker I could possibly be. That has always been and always will be my main focus. Most of you know that “STING” is my nickname; that is why I chose a worker bee for my logo in 2014 when I started STING SADDLERY. From 2014 to June of 2017 I never built a saddle under the STING SADDLERY name. It was primarily a holster shop, where I built tack items and small leather goods. In 2017 my wife and I moved to Helena MT and opened STING SADDLERY on Euclid Ave. Only then did I start stamping my saddles with the “STING SADDLERY” logo. In 2023, I decided to transition my logo to a traditional style saddle. By January 2024 I had designed a new company logo and maker stamp.
“STING SADDLERY” is now “STERLING CAMPBELL CUSTOM SADDLES”
And all gear will be stamped “STERLING CAMPBELL MAKER”
Formally known as Sting Saddlery.
68 Montgomery Dr.
Hilger, Montana 59451