the work

Shoes are about 4" long

My worktable. Yep, it's chaotic.

I sew the uppers by hand or machine and stretch them onto a last.  A metal shank at the instep adds strength and flexibility. Leather soles and polymer heels add weight and stability.  Buckram heel counters and fabric stiffener in the toe box help to retain the shape. It's similar to standard shoemaking, only in miniature.




Of all the information I found in my research some of the most useful came from two books:

'The Art of Making Beautiful Fashion Doll Shoes' by Timothy Alberts
This book is comprehensive and detailed. The information on last-making was particularly helpful to me. I have had this book for years and it is now sadly long out of print.

'Make Your Own Shoes' by Mary Wales Loomis
This is a wonderful self published manual by a woman who developed a 'home sewing' method for making shoes.  Her book is still available on her web site.

 My own methods are the result of combining and refining many of their ideas to suit my needs.  I owe them both a debt of gratitude.                  

'rough draft'

Nothing about this shoe is refined and its construction is a veritable catalog of missteps and mistakes. But I love this shoe as a parent might adore her least able child.  Perfection inspires, but imperfection endears.

'Louis L'amour'

The original inspiration for this shoe was a Louis XIV era court shoe. But somehow, by the time it was finished it had transmogrified into a western ankle boot. The best laid plans can lead to better plans, I guess.  And this exemplifies my creative process, such as it is. Update 1/1/2014 - This shoe was originally named 'Cowboy Louie' but I am renaming it 'Louis L'amour' for what I think are obvious reasons.  I don't know why I didn't think of it before.

the oxfords

The last (shoe form) in the background is not the form I used to make these shoes but it sits on my table as a talisman and inspiration.  These shoes were made on a form sculpted from polymer clay - super sculpey to be exact. They are fabric and leather with polymer clay heels.
I've taken to naming each shoe.  The one on the left is simply 'the oxford'.  The one on the right is 'the ugly shoe' - not because I think it's ugly.  It's just not exactly pretty.

a beginning

I love to make things. I need to, actually. Restless hands, I guess. The idea to make small shoes came from experiments in doll making.  At least for now, my only goal is to keep making them until I have exhausted my interest in them.  That should take a while.