Do you Facebook?

I did it. I created a Facebook page for my work and there is now a "Like" button over there on the right hand side of the screen, above the blog description. Among other things, I'll be posting more WIP photos so people can see what I'm working on between blog posts. Go ahead - you know you want to!

In other news, the lasting of the Velo Shoes is going well. Currently, all of the lasts are occupied, so the remaining pairs must be patient.

The lasting that I've been showing off so far have not been cemented to the insole boards yet - if you were my students, I would have called it pre-lasting.

I have started cementing! These are the ones with more uppers waiting in the wings:



This is good!

Current Projects and Events!

I've been pretty busy the last few days, so I thought I would post another update.

Lasting continues on the Velo shoes. Between pairs I've been working on some other components and progress is becoming steady.

Just as a point of curiosity, these uppers were designed to last easier/faster - and they are - sort of. Simply being unlined speeds up the process greatly by having less layers and steps, but physically they've been more demanding due to components and materials. The heat activated stiffener material requires additional dexterity between grabbing different tools while warming the material and pulling it into place. The spread of material characteristics adds some intrigue - all of them are suitable, but there is 'just' enough variety to make very distinct differences in the processes and how I compensate for more or less malleability.



I'm using a number of techniques that are either new to me, or I just don't use very often because there isn't any advantage when I'm making things one at a time. I am keeping a list of considerations for the next round - things involving patterns, techniques, and materials/component considerations. I'll definitely have a good idea of how things can be sped up to avoid many of the delays of this trial run.


My other projects are gaining momentum as well.

Currently, I'm in the process of adjusting two pairs of lasts for some boot projects. Soon I'll be fitting those, so pictures will follow once the designs get approved.

I'm working on a few new items for Etsy and Wolfbait and I hope to put a few out there in time for the current gift giving season. A note about the Strap-on Neckties: the current ones were a test batch I was selling at a reduced price. The next time I make a new batch, the price will be going up - so, get them cheap while you can.
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On Saturday evening, I made it out into the world and actually interacted with humans, hurrah!

I like talking to bike folks and meeting framebuilders, and Rob Vandermark of Seven Cycles was in town to speak at the Get A Grip bike fit studio.

It was very cool to hear about the methods Seven uses to build bikes out of titanium, steel, and carbon fiber. Virtually all of their production is custom, so they work with fit studios like Get A Grip who interface with the customers.

I got to chat about the company and a bit about the region. The Boston area has quite a framebuilding history and a special place in my heart , so I hope to get out there again soon. My schedule was very tight the last time I was out there, and I missed Seven when I was visiting framebuilders, but I'll correct that next time.

I was busy talking and listening, so I only took a few pictures of some stuff I've been geeking out over lately:






Until later!

At Lasting!

Sorry, I couldn't resist - as it implies, I have officially begun lasting the Velo shoes!


At the moment, my studio feels like an icebox - I have a spare space heater to bring to the studio, but I am waiting on a Zipcar reservation to drop it off and run an errand. Since I find myself with a few minutes to burn, I can point out some new things on the blog.

I did update the News page, but it is old news if you've been following the blog posts.

In addition to the link to my Etsy store and Wolfbait & B-girls in the side bar, I have added an Etsy page up top. While I was updating the Etsy site, I ran across code that allows me to include a preview of my store or my favorites on the site. I'll be tweaking the dimensions and perhaps ultimately scrapping it, but now you can go to the Etsy page up top and see a selection of my available items, as well as a means to click directly to the actual listings.

For more networking and promotions, I am considering creating a Facebook page. I've almost decided what to call it. Someone has created a completely unrelated page using the same spelling of Riotgeer as me. It leaves me a bit grumpy since I have very specific reasons for spelling it as I do - but I don't think I can do anything about it. Most likely, I'll wind up just using my name (though a few people will understand why I'd rather not do that). As far as business purposes I'd like to not add paperwork to my pile, so I don't want to do an assumed name for my design studio right now.
That said, I would like to get some feedback on the idea of a FB page.