Make shoes creating your own designs.
In the past, a shoe maker or cordwainer, as he was traditionally called, used to apprentice for up to seven years with a master and learn the secrets of the trade. This would then be followed by years of working at different guilds for different masters. Over the years, manual shoe making has been replaced by mass manufacturers and actual shoe makers are rare. However, if you want to become a shoe maker, you may find workshops that teach you the basics of the trade.
Instructions
1. Register for a shoe making workshop or school and attend a few sessions to learn the basics of making shoes. You will learn about foot anatomy, footwear construction, shoe design and making shoe patterns. Alternatively, look for shoemakers in your area and ask them if they are willing to take an apprentice. This will provide invaluable, hands-on experience.
2. Rent a work studio. Making shoes is a dirty work and you also need space for your tools and materials. If you want the studio to be a showroom as well, chose a conveniently-located space.
3. Get the tools you need, including sewing machines, cutting, skiving, splitting, sanding and finishing equipment. Get shoe making materials. The teachers at the workshop or the shoe maker you apprenticed at may indicate a few material suppliers, but you may also do some research on your own. Look for leather and synthetic materials for the upper side of the shoes, rubbers for soles, glue, laces and dies. Buying materials directly from distributors allow you to keep your producer costs low.
4. Practice the skills you learned during the workshops or the apprenticeship period and create a few pair of shoes for yourself or members of your family. Aim at creating simple designs, following the patterns used in school. Experience and practice are essential to become a skilled shoe maker.
5. Sketch more complex designs of shoes and try to turn the designs into shoes. Take a look at the shoes you make and decide on the strong points of your design and the improvements you need to make.
6. Set up a website that presents what you do. Include a presentation of your studio with pictures and the models of shoes you make.
7. Participate in crafts shows with your shoes to make a few contacts and find potential buyers for your shoes. Print out brochures and business cards you can give interested parties.
8. Publish ads for your services in local newspapers and directories.
Tags: shoe maker, shoe making, shoes make, your shoes
