Month: August 2018

Posted on

Big Score

A while back I got a most appreciated tip about some shoemaking tools at an antique store. I bought one that day for I wasn’t sure how to use them. Fortunately at Footwear Symposium I saw a finishing demonstration by Marcell Mrsan where I learned to use the burnishers. I went back to the antique store a few days ago and bought seven more, pictured in the first shot. I posted to Shoemaking Forum and they all said “buy them all”. I went back today and bought this second set. I wish I could buy them all! I did meet the seller of these tools today. She was a harness maker in Upstate New York and bought these tools in the ’80s. Most of these tools were quite old at that time.

Posted on

Footwear Symposium 2018

I was so fortunate to attend Footwear Symposium in Savannah, my first time to Savannah. The Symposium was fabulous, so much new information to unpack. What a pleasure to meet my amazing fellows, my tribe, my new family.
I received a “shout out” from the awards committee! The competition was steep. Such accomplished cordwainers. The winners were Melody Chia – Best Women’s, Best in Show and People’s Choice,  Sarah Guerin – Best Men’s,  and Michelle Quick – Most Innovative.
There were attendees from Australia and Ecuador. Of course shoemakers from all over the US including Alaska. I was impressed by the attendance of so many master boot makers from Out West. Such a treat to meet them.

Posted on

SMA leather buying trip

I’m excited to put together another trip to San Miguel de Allende and León, Guanajuato, Mexico. The Zona Piel (leather district) in León is a center for shoemaking and a terrific source for supplies and materials at a fraction of the US costs. San Miguel de Allende was named top city in the world for the second time in a row this year by Travel and Leisure.