'Ringmaster'

Chopine #1

My chopine inspired roller skate.
It may require explanation...
but I don't have one.
LOL

Form

Design

      An idea in the making.
      A chopine inspired
      roller skate???

chopines

Once again using the small lasts plus a new last in the making.

I'm beginning an experiment with chopines, the bizarre but intriguing platform shoes in fashion in 15th-17th century Venice. Historic examples are inspiring me but will not dictate what I do. I may try inlay, or perhaps embroidery or painting?

There is another historic style that interests me called a slap sole. I may try that later with the larger lasts.    We'll see...

papier mache #3

The tiny pink flowers were picked and pressed
in Death valley

The third and last of this 'triplet'.
I like that the side photo shows light
shining through the paper. I may try
more experiments with paper after I
retrieve my larger lasts from the library.
  

papier mache #2

Papier Mache #2
I'm going to make one more and call
them triplets. Fraternal of course :)

papier mache

This is the result of an experiment with
papier mache. There are also leather and
polymer clay elements.  Making these small
heels is the biggest challenge.

I used one of these small lasts. I'm undecided
whether the experiment was successful
but I enjoyed it.

'serpentine 2.0'

I don't generally make a shoe (or pair of shoes) twice but I liked the previous ones enough to want a pair for the collection.  These are styled a little differently and I'm pleased with them.  The toes are asymmetrical and I wish I had delineated that more distinctly because the subtlety gives an impression that may appear unintentional.
No matter.

'serpentine'

Another pair from the small lasts.  This is genuine snakeskin from a small piece I acquired years ago from a barrel of scraps at Tandy Leather. I made these as a gift which is something I seldom do and they will be a little hard to let go of.  But we are planning a road trip to Montana and I think the friends there will appreciate the gesture.

'take two'

Here is the first pair from the new smaller lasts.  I created a pointed toe although the lasts are not pointed.  It was a reasonably successful experiment and not as tedious as I expected.

Next I will try the small high heeled lasts - but not in the immediate future.  I have homework :)

This photo shows how the finished shoes looked initially. The pointed toes were too long and their upward curve flattened before the tip. I feared to ruin them but one morning I just snipped off the tips, deconstructed the toes and glued them back together. Somewhat to my surprise, it worked perfectly. Leather is the most forgiving material.

La Pintoresca

The shoes are back at La Pintoresca Library in Altadena.
My new lasts are complete and I have a good idea what the next shoes will be.  When they will be made is uncertain.  I'm experimenting .
I'm also taking a drawing class, not because I need it (my drawing skills are adequate if uninspired) but I wanted something fundamental and mildly challenging but not particularly taxing to do.

what now?

Yesterday I removed the display from the Glendale Library.  I had a nice conversation there with a young woman who would (perhaps) like to pursue a fashion career.
It is a luxury to be able to make the shoes without concern about whether it is practical or profitable or even worthwhile... to embrace creative freedom unapologetically.
I do not take this for granted.