First Update of 2012

Updated - see below!

Oooh... momentous!

Not so exciting really, but I needed to put something up.

So far I've been unable to take the Velo Shoes in for the needed stitching so I can finish them up. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be doing that this week. The boxes of shoes are making me anxious - they are so close!

In the meantime, I've been prepping some lasts and fitters for non-Velo customers - I have a couple of pretty cool pairs of boots in the pipeline.

I'm also working on some new wallets/card cases and some carry-alls. The carry-alls are still in the planning stage, but I've been using the working wallet prototype for several days - it's pretty nice:


I plan to have this and one or two other wallets available at my Etsy store before the month is over.

I said I didn't want to use my name for my Facebook artists page. I made a decision that sort of solidified that - Facebook doesn't allow renaming pages, so the only option is to scrap it and make it anew. The new page is active! there isn't much on it at the moment, but you should like it! The old one will remain until I catch up with myself - but I will not be posting anything new except reminders to switch over.

Well, anyway, Happy New Year! My 2011 was wonky - here's hoping 2012 is excellent!

Kirsten-Erick

Soled and Waiting!

Well, the leather soles are on and the lasts are out!

The Velo shoes are in boxes and waiting to meet a special stitching machine before I can put the heels and rubber half-soles on. I'm looking into shoe repair shops to do the work and I'll be taking them in next week after I do a little extra research.

It's not quite the weekend, but have a good one! Please enjoy the slide show of the Velo shoes so far...

Soling the Velos

Quick update - I've attached the soles to the first ten pairs of the Velo shoes. I started with the duplicate sizes first, so I'm making speedy progress getting the duplicate sizes lasted and caught up with the rest.


Once all of the shoes have the leather soles attached, I'll take them to be sewn with a special stitching machine I do not have. Once that is done, they'll get their rubber half-soles and heels.

"Like" my page on Facebook to see more process WIP pictures!

Bike Shoes Update 7/12/11

This is just a really quick post to say that I've closed the pre-orders for my bike shoes trial run. The last model is on it's way to my last-maker. On order are twelve pairs of shoes to be made once the lasts come back.

While I'm waiting for the lasts, I'll be collecting supplies that need to be restocked and start discussing color and detail options available to the customers.

Then I get to be the crazed shoemaker!



In case you're bored with the same picture over and over again, I'll give you something new to look at next time!

There are a few details to work out, but there will be some more announcements to be made in the near future. I'm applying to participate in an event coming up that I'll post once I've heard back.

Cheers!

Bike Shoes Progress

Things are certainly coming along with the shoes I'm making for the Bike Chic fashion show - here's a look at them so far:


The shellac isn't as nice as the trial I did last year, but I think for now it turns out how it turns out, so they are ready for soling, which starts tomorrow.

The fittings are this weekend, so that is my deadline - maybe I'll have a chance to make up the red ones before the show?


Oh, and visit my Etsy Store and buy things!

State of My State

Just a quick post!

I am working on some new small items for sale, so keep an eye out for new stuff in my Etsy shop soon - some will be companion pieces for some existing designs, and some will be stand-alone items.

I have edited the text at my Etsy shop to clarify that I am happy to discuss custom items, and also renewed the expired listings.

Upcoming! I've started working on some new descriptions of what I'm working on, as well as the kind of work I am particularly happy to be approached about. I'm looking at the end of the week to have the updates up.

I am excited to be discussing collaborations with a couple of Chicago designers, and I hope to share some of that in the future!

Til later,

Cheers

Last Progress

I talked to my last maker yesterday and he thinks he'll get my samples out today (fingers crossed!). According to his measurements the "Princess" measures quite a bit wider than I calculated - that's why I'm getting samples - at least it's some information I can compare with the process I use.

Also yesterday, I threw a heel stiffener onto the fitter model for the bike shoe last, so I can get a little bit better information off of it. A few of the guys at my bike shop tried it on. The results were interesting and also caused me to reexamine my assessment of the fit on myself.

Today, I experimented with some ideas I had for taking measurements from the foot and the last and apply better information. After fairly extensive reshaping of the last it measures true to a 10D:



This weekend I'll redraft the patterns and make a new fitter. If all goes well, I still need to reshape the mate to this one. Hopefully I'll have some WIP to show off on Monday or Tuesday.

WIP- Cycling Shoes

While I am waiting on the samples of the Gunton and "____" lasts, I've been working a little bit towards progress on an athletic style last. I have a stock last from my last maker that I've heavily modified that I hope is a good candidate for the cycling shoes I've been poking and prodding at on a very irregular basis. This quick fit model shows promise and I can start on a new working prototype:



This is just some of the first steps for fit which must be verified before investing in more expensive materials and techniques (composites and clipless pedal systems).

I am also experimenting with getting information from an existing pair of shoes that I felt fit me pretty good- this I can use as a base-line for original lasts, since fit can be an ephemeral goal sometimes.