In March 2026, what began as a hobby — hand-embellishing hundreds of crystals to high-end luxury boots — quickly found its way onto one of Texas’ biggest stages. Country artist Megan Moroney wore the dazzling designs at the Houston Rodeo, putting the fledgling brand in the spotlight.
Now, the label behind those standout boots is taking its next step: a first brick-and-mortar store on Main Street in Boerne.
Ruby Sparkles, a luxury crystal cowgirl boot brand, will open at 248 N. Main St. on Friday, May 1. The debut will feature champagne, caviar, and —perhaps most notably — the first opportunity to shop the brand in person. Known for its exclusivity, Ruby Sparkles produces just one size per style, making each hand-embellished pair a little more exclusive.
Leslie Daugherty, the owner and sole artisan behind Ruby Sparkles, told MySA recently that the brand has seen a surge in popularity and sales since Moroney wore the boots at the rodeo. That momentum led to a chance connection with the owners of Backhouse at The Château in Boerne, who offered her the opportunity to take over a new retail space.
“After she did her show, when it kind of got out that I was the one that did [her boots], it was a big push on me,” she said. “OK, I need to get my product in front of people so they can see what I do as opposed to being online only.”
“I haven’t even opened my store yet, and I’ve had more sales than I’ve had in the last three months, so it’s been amazing,” Daugherty said.
She told MySA it all began around 2015, during a particularly difficult stretch in her life. As she prepared for her wedding, she was also dealing with the effects of two thyroid conditions — hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease — diagnosed when she was 19.
The illnesses led to chronic exhaustion and weight gain, forcing her to step away from competitive college cheerleading, where her love of sparkles began.
For a couple of years, Daugherty said she focused on small creative outlets to cope. She started “blinging,” adding crystals to everyday household items. While searching for wedding boots, she found herself drawn to high-end Western styles but couldn’t find anything that matched her vision of personality, flair and class. So she decided to make her own — from her bed.
The boots drew attention after her wedding photographer captured them in a photo, and that helped spark the creation of Ruby Sparkles.
Today, Daugherty collaborates with luxury bootmakers, transforming their original designs with her signature crystal embellishments. She’s confident her work stands apart, saying the level of detail and craftsmanship she brings can’t be replicated by major brands, the “big boys,” as she calls them.
“God said this is your moment; you’ve been waiting for it, so go,” she says.