Building a Collection
What I do is rare and consequently opportunities to add to my client list are few. Bespoke work entails more than just custom fit, it is a dialogue between creator and client. My bespoke experience incorporates design, consultation, personal fitting of every shoe, as well as the “back room” understanding of the dynamics of last design & making and the possibilities of highly individual decorative elements to shoes. My loyal clientele see great value in building a collection of ten or more pieces through iterative collaboration that ensures their wardrobes into the future. They also enjoy savouring their collection of unique, artisan, exhibition worthy footwear. I enjoy crafting collections that resonate for them!
Building a Collection
What I do is rare and consequently opportunities to add to my client list are few. Bespoke work entails more than just custom fit, it is a dialogue between creator and client. My bespoke experience incorporates design, consultation, personal fitting of every shoe, as well as the “back room” understanding of the dynamics of last design & making and the possibilities of highly individual decorative elements to shoes. My loyal clientele see great value in building a collection of ten or more pieces through iterative collaboration that ensures their wardrobes into the future. They also enjoy savouring their collection of unique, artisan, exhibition worthy footwear. I enjoy crafting collections that resonate for them!
Techniques
A number of craft techniques which may include embroidery, patchwork, calligraphy, illustration or borrowing techniques such as embossing, tooling and gilding mainly from the fine bookbinders or master leatherworker’s repertoire.
Techniques
A number of craft techniques which may include embroidery, patchwork, calligraphy, illustration or borrowing techniques such as embossing, tooling and gilding mainly from the fine bookbinders or master leatherworker’s repertoire.
Needlepoint
Needlepoint is a favourite for me, worked on a canvas with woollen yarns. I work the wool directly into the canvas in the case of heel covers but when I want to put details into an upper leather I will place a soft canvas just behind the area I am working and pierce the holes through the leather. The variety of stitches to achieve different looks and textures is enormous. I also find a satisfying relationship between veg tanned leather and wool.
Needlepoint
Needlepoint is a favourite for me, worked on a canvas with woollen yarns. I work the wool directly into the canvas in the case of heel covers but when I want to put details into an upper leather I will place a soft canvas just behind the area I am working and pierce the holes through the leather. The variety of stitches to achieve different looks and textures is enormous. I also find a satisfying relationship between veg tanned leather and wool.
Embroidery
Silk embroidery decoration of shoes has been fashionable on and off since at least the 15th Century and something I like to continue. Usually picking up on a theme or story for the client, silk embroidery can bring an exceptional elevation to the shoe, exquisite detail and stunning colour ways. In this case usually embroidered into silk rather than leather.
Embroidery
Silk embroidery decoration of shoes has been fashionable on and off since at least the 15th Century and something I like to continue. Usually picking up on a theme or story for the client, silk embroidery can bring an exceptional elevation to the shoe, exquisite detail and stunning colour ways. In this case usually embroidered into silk rather than leather.
Handpainting, Illustration &
Calligraphy
Leather as in parchment, vellum and alum tawed skins were in use for writing, calligraphy and illumination and bookbinding long before the introduction of paper. The fine detail and vibrant colours achievable cannot be matched on the paper imitation.
Handpainting, Illustration &
Calligraphy
Leather as in parchment, vellum and alum tawed skins were in use for writing, calligraphy and illumination and bookbinding long before the introduction of paper. The fine detail and vibrant colours achievable cannot be matched on the paper imitation.
Decorative Leather Working
Leather working covers a number of disciplines, and not every leatherworker will employ or be skilled in all techniques. Decorative leather working; embossing, to create relief definition is becoming a passion for me. This involves the cutting of a stencil, dampening of leather and tooling and pressing and finishing. Time laborious but so satisfying.
Decorative Leather Working
Leather working covers a number of disciplines, and not every leatherworker will employ or be skilled in all techniques. Decorative leather working; embossing, to create relief definition is becoming a passion for me. This involves the cutting of a stencil, dampening of leather and tooling and pressing and finishing. Time laborious but so satisfying.
Gold Tooling
Gold Tooling is another skill of the expert and antiquarian bookbinder requiring the correct selection of leather, aesthetic of the tools, application, and is time and heat critical. For now I refer to the professionals when wishing to incorporate this into my work.
Gold Tooling
Gold Tooling is another skill of the expert and antiquarian bookbinder requiring the correct selection of leather, aesthetic of the tools, application, and is time and heat critical. For now I refer to the professionals when wishing to incorporate this into my work.