July 2011
35 posts
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One Tool at a Time
I have decided to take things in baby steps. Starting out in shoe design means a huge initial investment, so I am going to try buying each shoemaking tool as I need it. In a week or two I will have some sewing space (to jumpstart my corset business!) and I will begin by slowly making myself a pair of simple heels. As I reach each new step, I will buy the most bare bones tools needed to do that...
afeezzle asked: Hey, not really a question but I love the stuff you're doing and I'd really like to collaborate with you on a collection when your studio is up and running :) I realize it's $$ so I wouldn't ask you to do so for free, I'd want to compensate you for time and labor. Buuut I think it could be awesome!
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A comedy of errors
Well, these shoes must be cursed because not a single thing seems to be going right. I was really pleased with them at the begining, so it’s a bit hard to see them fall apart in so many little ways. But I came here to learn, and I did exactly that.
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Last day
Today is the final day of this class. I have a lot of work to do and a lot of problem solving to attempt. I’m trying to be optimistic about the shoes. I’m also hoping I fulfilled my teacher’s expectations of me as an assistant teacher. These past 2 days I’ve been very focused on my own work and only checked in with other students when I heard them make sounds of...
Hm
Yesterday one of my classmates said, “don’t ever sell yourself short. You’ve done more at 25 than most people I knew at that age, and you’ve found what you want to do. And I don’t think you’ll ever stop wanting to explore the world and try new things. So, all I’m saying is don’t ever sell yourself short.” Hm. I guess I should maybe feel a...
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Problems
I’ve run into a number of difficulties with my shoes. I’m fighting that urge one gets to drop it and start over by reminding myself that not every pair of shoes needs to be a portfolio piece; sometimes they are just learning experiences.
Anonymous asked: Hi there!
What kind of boning did you use in your corset??
What kind of boning did you use in your corset??
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Dreams
True to form, right as I was falling asleep I had a genius idea for a black and yellow knee high boot. *sketch
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Today I was put in charge of teaching the class some basic pattern drafting for a couple hours. I think I did alright.
After many hours of numbers and measurements being thrown around I went to my little corner to try doing my own patterns without any help, and was pleased to find that I could in fact do it without any trouble.
I feel confident that if I could just amass my tools and things, I...
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Flattered
Today my teacher told me, “you’re really coming into your own as a teacher,” and left me alone to work with the students. I feel quite special that he trusts me.
:D
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Shoemaking, AGAIN
So I’m taking one more week-long class in shoemaking and acting as a teaching assistant again. This time I am focusing on being mostly independent. I aim to produce some fairly simple shoes with very little help, and lend a hand to any of the other students that might need it.
It’s a good, small group. I’m really looking forward to the next 7 days.
Stay tuned for more photo...
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I need to start keeping my sketchbook by the side of my bed because lately my best time to design shoes is right as I’m falling asleep. Last night, as I drifted off three great ideas popped into my head. I was so comfortable and warm, but I groggily reached for my phone and blindly typed a 4 word email to myself so I’d remember the ideas this morning. Oddly enough, they are still kinda...
I’ve been developing my forthcoming corset line. I think I’m going to incorporate elements of my crazier shoe designs into my corsetry. I haven’t shown you my shoe designs simply because I want to prototype them first, but I really look forward to unveiling both my corsets and my shoes.
My friend recently took a look at my sketches and defined my work as “walking the line...
freshprincess39 asked: Sooo first off I love ur blog! Secondly, I will become a shoe designer and I am looking for a mentor. We are probably far away from each other, but I would like to know if you would like to keep in touch.
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Sewing
Making a corset has taught me a few things, the most important of which I thought I might share with you all:
Despite my solid belief to the contrary, it appears that I am in fact a good seamstress.
Maybe it was four years in fashion school sewing things I hated, or maybe the teachers that graded me down if my seams were 1/32 of an inch off, but I have spent a very long time believing I was...
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Exciting!
Four exciting things:
1. I received a cold call from a major shoe production company that found my resume online. I will be calling them back first thing Tuesday morning!
2. This afternoon I am fitting a model with both the black shoes I made recently and the purple/red shoes I made a few months back. I’ve coordinated with an amazing photographer friend to get pro shots of my work. Which...
