Buckle up for TCU

Since 1995, Russ and Claudia Stromberg have been churning out high-end, Western-styled jewelry at their “Rewards” store in Austin. Among the 14-karat and sterling silver items were belt buckles and cuff links and more for fans of “big” Texas universities.

But this fall, they were inundated with a new request: Where’s the TCU stuff?

“TCU was really too small for us to bother with,” Russ said. “But right before the bowl game, lots of people were asking for it. So we got right on it.”

They sold every TCU buckle they could make during the holidays, and still can barely keep up with the demand for the hand-forged, hand-crafted buckles.

As a licensed retailer for TCU, the university gets a royalty from each TCU item purchased.

Order online at shoprewards.com/be-true-to-your-school.html, or visit the Austin Rewards store at 9722 Great Hills Trail, Suite 300, Austin, Texas. Or call them at 800.292.019.