I draft a new pattern for each pair of shoes ordered, using recycled card collected from various sources! I then hand cut every individual pair from the hide (they aren't cut with a machine), carefully assemble them and finally stitch them together using a vintage leather sewing machine. Soling is cut using an old wheelwrights saw, previously used locally for making cart wheels! My sanding machine is home made (birthday present from a clever Husband) from a recycled washing machine motor!
I do not use lasts, instead I shape each individual pair by hand, manipulating them with my fingers to attain a uniform shape, sculpting the leather as I go. They are quite simply, a labour of love.
All stitching is worked using strong synthetic thread (sorry but it will last and after all you don't want your boots falling apart). The shoes are all fairly robust and should give you excellent service and comfortable mileage for many seasons! I personally do not offer a resoling service, BUT your footwear can easily be resoled by any reputable cobbler, thus extending the life of your shoes and avoiding adding to ever growing landfill sites.
Shoemaking was once a flourishing trade in this country and every town and village could boast of a resident shoemaker or two! That's not including the elves...... I hope that in my own small way I can keep this ancient craft alive. We all wear shoes every single day and yet many of us never give a thought as to where they come from, who made them, what with, where they go when we've finished with them, etc?
The much loved pair shown to the right is my trusty pair of 'Tulips' after 3 years of nigh on constant wear! These shoes have literally walked hundreds if not thousands of miles (the wings don't always work). Within a few weeks your own pair of Fairysteps shoes will begin to change. The leather foot bed will take on the contours of your foot making them feel ultra comfortable, the outer stitching line which is visible on the new shoes as a little ridge all around the edge will disappear making your shoes look, I think, even better! Wear them and enjoy them!
A NOTE ON PACKAGING: for the benefit of the environment (for the fairies and us), I recycle some boxes and packaging. Only clean, sound boxes will be reused. All interior packaging that comes into direct contact with the product is new. I hope you approve!
Good news for Vegan fairies!
I shall be using *LORICA (a well known vegan leather alternative) for the uppers and insoles.
Colour choice will be very limited as they just dont have the colour range as in leather. Its a bit like acrylic versus pure wool, the colour subtleties just arent there. Lorica is basically plastic which is why Ive tended to avoid it, BUT I know that for dedicated Vegans leather is an issue so I fully respect that.
The nubuck effect LORICA suable is less plasticy looking than the shiny coated one, but is less waterproof, apparently its water repellent, so similar to a standard leather nubuck. It can be polished just like leather which will aid its water repellency values.
If you fancy ordering a pair of shoes or a bag in a non-leather material please contact me.
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The colours available are:
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Dark brown, nubuck finish
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Sand, nubuck finish
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Inky dark blue, nubuck finish
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Dark charcoal, nubuck finish
NOTE! Depending on the style there will be an extra charge due to the very high material costs! This will be approx £25 extra for shoes & small bags, £35 mid length boots & medium sized bags, £50.00 tall boots & large bags.
