bespoke shoes
Meet Peyton Bray, my Summer Intern, from Savannah College of Art and Design. Peyton is majoring in Fashion Design and minoring in Accessories Design. He will be a Senior at SCAD this fall. Today was his first day and he will be working at Deborah Shoemaker on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He’s helping me put together my collection for the Southern Highlands Craft Guild Fair in Asheville in October.
Save the date, October 15-18, 2026.
This summer I went Out West. I was visited at my campsite in Cloudcroft, NM, by a young bull elk. His antlers were still in velvet. I quietly spoke to him and explained how handsome he is. It was a magical moment and one of my favorites from the trip. How enchanting that he spoke back to me with a soft, quiet bugle.
Fast forward to yesterday when I learned the article on me and my school is out in WNC Magazine. Imagine my surprise to find my spirit guide on the front cover. See the story which begins on page 39. https://wncmagazine.com/digitaledition
In kindergarten I had a pair of red and white saddle oxfords. The saddle was red patent leather. I wore them everyday. One day the teacher asked us all to stand in the middle of the room. Then she said “all of the people wearing black shoes, go stand over there,” and then “all of the people wearing brown shoes, go stand over there.” There I was, standing alone in the middle of the classroom in my red and white shoes. I was embarrassed and shamed. I made these shoes for the little girl in me, the little one who the teacher tried to quash the artist out of. I don’t know where that teacher is, if she’s living or dead. I don’t remember her name, but I thumb my nose at her!!! I’m going to wear these shoes with pride and confidence. She did not succeed in making me conform.
The Autumn 2023 shoemaking class for returning shoemakers has been filled. Thank you all for your patronage and for getting the word out. Your enthusiasm to learn and ambition to hone your skills inspires us all.
Reserve your spot now for my beginner shoemaking classes that start in January. See the Toe River Studio Tour booklet that is out now for the Autumn tour. My ad is on page 10.
Class size is limited to five. Let me know if you have availability for other days of the week. I will open additional sections for the class as the seats fill. Early registration recommended.
Come by on Sunday, May 1, 2022, 2-4 pm
Bring your dream shoes to life
121 Montana Avenue, West Asheville
There will be a drawing for fabulous prizes!
Deborah’s School of Shoemaking is well underway. These students are taking Shoemaking 101, Oxford or Derby. The beginner class teaches all of the skills to make a pair of cemented shoes of their own design. The class is taught with demonstrations at each stage of building followed by hands on practice of each skill. Students will walk away from the course with a pair of shoes made to fit their feet.
I got some publicity in Mountain Xpress for Deborah’s School of Shoemaking. I recently dreamt up this image of me posing as the Virgin of the Guadalupe and using lasts as the light rays from my halo. I’m so pleased Mountain Xpress used my photo and what an honor for my new school to be featured. Check out my School page because classes are forming all the time. Gather some friends together and we can have a class time whenever works for you.