Shoemaking School

… a totally unique experience

photo of instructor and students As rewarding as shoemaking is for me, I’ve discovered that teaching it is even more so. It’s important to me to pass it on, to do my part to keep the craft alive. Until the waning of the 19th century, all shoes were made by hand. In the United States, only farming occupied more people than shoemaking. Now there are but a handful of truly custom shoemakers still working. I made shoes for nearly 20 years before I met another shoemaker. If you make your own shoes, you will be in rare company indeed, and you will be helping to preserve an essential craft which is nearly extinct in our country. Oh, the picture? That’s me (on the left) with some students, at the end of a long, fun week at J. C. Campbell Folk School, showing off the results. I have some pictures of my students’ work to show off, too.

In my classes, you will:

Gain a skill that is fun, and potentially profitable
Make yourself a pair of shoes that will fit and feel better, last longer than almost any other, and improve the health of your feet
Create castings of your feet; custom, reusable lasts, for a perfect fit
Harvest over two decades worth of accumulated shoemaking experience from a maker who is passionate about his craft
Learn one on one, or two on one, for maximum attention and fun. (Bring your honey and learn together!)
Enjoy the mountains of Virginia in a beautiful rural setting, with good food, fresh air, delicious spring water, and a swimming hole from heaven

Course Outline:

The Foot
Understanding, anatomy, function, and the relationship of feet to shoes and health
The Last
Molding and duplicating any foot to make exact fitting shoes every time
Pattern Making
Designing shoes of most any style, creations uniquely your own, that can be embellished infinitely
Leather
Learning the differences between leathers; choosing leather and parts of hides to best purpose
The Materials
Exploring crepe, gum, glue, thread, ortho-foam, and more
The Tools
Using traditional hand tools and machines; attaining modern results
The Insoles
Assuring perfect fit and support for any foot, using custom-molded insoles
The History
Connecting to your past through this essential medium
The Sharing
Getting to know each other, sharing stories and jokes, and rejoicing in God’s gift of our time together.

Molding uppers; the “foot-for-last” technique

Colors and qualities of leather are unlimited

Soling options to fit any purpose or occasion

Particulars:

3, 4, and 5 day classes are available at my workshop. Three long days (or four relaxed days) are required to make yourself one pair of shoes. We will be able to skim many related subjects in that time. In a three-day class, there will probably not be time left, after you finish your shoes, to make lasts, but we can try. Four days would do it. If you want to get serious, you can make shoes of two different styles over five long days of concerted effort. You will be much more able to procede on your own after this longer class.

The fee for one-on-one workshops is $250/day. Two-on-one workshops are $200/day per person. All tools and materials are provided. Room and board is included.

Our home

You will be guests in or near our home during your stay. Our food is simple, wholesome and mostly organic. Lodging is a bit primitive, but quiet and comfortable.

Logistics:

If you plan to arrive by car, I will send a map and directions. Otherwise, I can provide transportation from the airport or the bus depot. I charge $75 dollars for shuttle service from and to Roanoke Regional Airport (one hour from my workshop) and $50 for service from and to the Greyhound bus-stop in Buena Vista, (40 minutes from my shop).

Have school will travel:

Under some circumstances, I enjoy occasionally teaching small classes elsewhere. Perhaps you have your own shop, and wish to add shoemaking to your skills, or you have special needs. Contact Me