but you can call them blue suede, as you probably don’t know any songs about nubuck shoes, right? Anyway – a simple, casual derby for everyday, just to add a hint of color to your khakis, maybe jeans.
HCC Meeting, Oklahoma
I participated in the HCC meeting in Guthrie, Oklahoma a few months ago. I was asked to do a presentation about any chosen topic – I thought the best one would be finishing, which is probably a constant challenge for most of us. I promised before I will upload the presentation, but let me just add… Read More
Selling Your Future or Receive Capital?
In advance let’s just get something straight. I started to write this post because of a recent transaction between a reputable small workshop and a huge investor… but.. It doesn’t reflect my opinion about that business (as I don’t know any detail it really can’t), it is only about this phenomenon. And this is only… Read More
Courses – UPDATED!
So, here is the final schedule of the June course in NYC. No further changes will occur, I promise. 🙂 Men’s shoe making course – Level I. Duration: June 14th – 18th (5-day course) Tuition fee: 1495.00 USD Program: making a pair of cemented men’s shoe Men’s shoe making course – Level II. Duration: June 21th – 25th… Read More
Meeting Lisa Sorell
Well, I believe I don’t need to introduce Lisa to a footwear fanatic. She is most probably one of the best wester boot maker – if she is not THE best. Anyway her work is amazing in every small detail. Even if I am not a big western boot fan, I admit the craftsmanship and… Read More
Fake Knowledge
Frankly: teaching student is loosing energy, time and a lot efforts, if you can make bespoke shoes in the same time. But teaching is not just for business. It is not a short term income – this is duty for the CRAFT you get everything from. Knowledge is not your property (even if it seems… Read More
Bespoke Boom
I found this The Independent article very interesting. Maybe I should focus on High Heels only? Hmm.. (No. I won’t. But I will definately make some.) http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/bespoke-boom-demand-surges-for-handmade-shoes-1816857.html
Comprehensive Toolkit for Beginner Shoemakers (updated with pics)
UPDATE! (7/02/2010): I soon set up a web shop as I could extend this collection. More comes soon. ——–=======——– Well, I got mails every week – minimum 1-2 that those uprising shoemaker collagues are searching for tools to start the craft. You can also search ebay to find the right ones, but I never seen… Read More
Update in 5 in 1
This is a courtesy picture from Craig Corvin, Seattle, explaining EVERYTHING. If the Sole trimmer and sole cutter is a different function, then I can say there are some other new functions, such as: “heel toplift cutter”, “heel toplift trimmer”… etc. 🙂 Never mind. At the end of the day, I have only one. 112.345… Read More
My New Baby: a 5 in 1
Still not assembled on any table, but in a very good condition. (someone know, where the hell is the 4th and the 5th function? 🙂 ). A manual would be more than welcome.
Sleek and Rounded
Here is my new last model. As it got some nice feedbacks in various forums, I will consider putting it to the MTO series. Now all I need is a number or name… 🙂
Nice work Dani!
As I put the bar quite high, his compliment is not said so often in my workshop. This time my apprentice Dani finished her shoes, and I couldn’t resist to tell her some compliments, since these being her first pair of shoes the result is really nice. I just gave her minimal help, and she made the pattern… Read More
A New Budapest From the Old One
This is the last, that I call “New Budapest”, and where else it should be used, then the old city? This order came from New York. And shape, from which this beauty is originated :the “Old Budapest”.
Happiness in the Workshop
1. What else a beautiful stiletto boot could generate than happiness? Here it is: I design her (sic!) for my next course – those lucky ones who has chosen the High Heel II. will make a pair. Some more picture for appetizer. Anyway you still have 48 hours to register. And the design process –… Read More
New Shoes, New Techniques
This post (what a surprise!) will be about pictures – more than text. So, the first story – this is a bespoke order for a US based gentleman. He was very specific about all the details. I must tell you: I love these orders. It means that this person has demands, so I have a… Read More
Shoe Making Courses in November, NYC
I am glad to announce: there are only a few places left in the High Heel Courses. It seems that we will be able to take a picture like this again… 🙂 Isn’t it a nice community?
Autumn at the workshop
Well, autumn has arrived, and plenty of things happened again. I rearranged all the courses in November. I added more what is demanded and I had to postpone some others. No secret: more from Men Shoe Making Courses, and double High Heel Making Course and less slipper. 🙂 The workshop is full with students! My… Read More
Workshop, September, 2009
Today we had a great and very busy day. I finished all the chairs for my October students. Us, shoemakers use special chairs. 40-45 cm tall, wide..etc, so it keeps your thigh perfectly paralel to the floor, so you can really make shoes “on your knees”. Then we (Seiji and me) went back to the… Read More
Seamless Wholecut – How it’s Made?
Sorry, I cannot explain every detail of making of this model, but I can show some interesting pictures about it. So the secrect revealed: there is no any part of the animal which forms a shoes – this was obvious, but there is a hard work and a few tricks which keep the leather in… Read More
A Brown Wholecut Again
but not the last. Let the picture talk.
My today’s favorite sentence
By Ana Luisa Santana: “You don’t have to be brave to wear these shoes. But you have to be brave to MAKE them under Marcell’s sight…” Lovely girl isn’t she? 🙂 Ana was in my workshop this year March-April, and now she is a beginner shoemaker in Rio, Brasilia.
Upcoming Course Schedule
Here is the list of the upcoming courses in November. I tried to complete a mix for those student who have never had any experience in shoe making and also for those who have already learned from me. I would really like to point your attention to the slipper making course. I cannot imagine better… Read More
Update about the November Courses
Important! The November Courses will be held at the first two weeks of November. If you wish to come, make sure you register in time, so you will have your place. Registering will start at 10 am, 20th of September. And a small appetizer to the Kid Shoe Course: comfortable shoe with a toe-protector. Made… Read More
Stillshots from a workshop
Many things happened here.. A new apprentice arrived. I still enjoy this teachings – I meet new and very interesting people. I can teach them, looking them learning, making the first steps on the long way of studying this ancient craft, and surprisingly learning from them. What? Many things. I was lucky with my apprentices… Read More
Next Courses
We plan to continue the shoemaking courses in November! These course will be held in NY: 1. Shoe Design (very practical way – like we do in Koronya workshop) + a lot of theory, drawing, pattern making, etc.. 2. Men Shoe Course I. 3. High Heel I-II. (beginner, advanced) 4. slipper making courses This is… Read More