Satan and new friends

Posted on June 24, 2021 by customboots

Me: Ugh, people are awful and I want them all to stay away from me.
Also me: Squeal!! I will make so many cool new friends with my Louvin Brothers/Satan Is Real shoes!!

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Inseaming thread

Posted on June 24, 2021 by customboots

I had some questions yesterday about why the upper is laced to the insole and what I do with the excess thread, so I’m going to explain that a little more. Keep in mind that what I’m showing you is traditional cowboy boot construction, not traditional shoe construction. This means that since I’m doing it on a shoe, both boot and shoe makers tell me I’m doing it wrong. 😁

This photo is a repeat from yesterday. The shoes are inseamed (welt leather piece that goes around the toe sewn on by hand) and the shoe upper is laced into the insole in the shank and heel area.
Here I’ve filled in the depression to make the bottom of the shoe level again, positioned the metal shank, and covered it with a thin layer of leather. Then I used the excess thread to lace the shank tightly into the shoe. Each crossover of lacing is anchored in the visible stitching that was done yesterday when I laced the upper to the insole. 
Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

I did a thing

Posted on June 23, 2021 by customboots

Look at me, working on shoes today instead of sitting at my desk!

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Shoemaking Tools

Posted on June 21, 2021 by customboots

I made a new YouTube video about the crimp break I sell, demonstrating how it works.Your guess is as good as mine if I’m regularly making videos again or I’ll wait four years to make another.
Shoemaking Tools: Crimp Break

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Inlay/overlay class

Posted on June 10, 2021 by customboots

I always begin a class with three simple bracelets to demonstrate the techniques of leather inlay and overlay, and then the students move into designing and creating an independent project. Two students finished their projects today!

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Class time

Posted on June 8, 2021 by customboots

I’m teaching a leather inlay/overlay class at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts this week. My students are busy and happy!

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

New shoes

Posted on June 2, 2021 by customboots

Happy Pride Month, y’all! 🌈

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

On stage

Posted on May 30, 2021 by customboots

I got to see two pairs of my boots on stage today. Pretty sure my boots make you sing better (although I guess I’m immune).

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Always learning

Posted on May 27, 2021 by customboots

I have learned so many things on this pair. I did a fun little experiment titled “How Little Customer Information Can I Obtain and Still Make Shoes That Fit?” so I’m not really confident they will actually fit but hey, that will allow me to put my making philosophy into practice which is “If I Did It Once I Can Do It Again Even Better!”

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Finishing the shank area

Posted on May 19, 2021 by customboots

For those of you who were worried about what happens to all of the little wooden pegs in the shank area — they get sanded smooth!

Posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment