Handmade runs in the family

Still going strong, my dad has been a #shoemaker and #artisan most of his life, I have watched him make shoes in his various workshops over the years. If I close my eyes I can see him methodically securing the soft leather onto the wooden shoe last. I can hear him tapping tiny nails, held in his mouth to keep his hands free through the leather and wood while gradually stretching and forming the leather into shape. In my memory I can even smell the glue. He would spend hours and days doing this, making shoes for normal feet and for feet that need that extra bunion covered or high arch.

At 82 he is still hand-making shoes, a meditative and rewarding process for him. I  brought him out of retirement a little over 5 years ago, the idea came to me while he was in hospital. He was walking around in a public ward in his prison striped flannel pyjamas with the most beautiful pair of Cary Grant style leather loafer slippers that he made for himself before going into hospital. His philosophy always, being a cobbler, is to wear good shoes, to be kind to your feet and to repair them. Shoes are an investment in style. You can be well dressed, but if your shoes are tardy, worn of unpolished, you are not well dressed. 

I am so proud of my Dad, who used his talent and craftsmanship to help him battle some serious health issues.

The shoe display in my shop may look like a homage to my father, it is also a reminder that we need to treasure all bespoke craftspeople and keep their skills alive into the future.

It has been an inspiration to me, in my jewellery making  I have come to realise that we share many creative values. Like my Dad I love using quality materials using simple tools to make beautiful things that last and we take great satisfaction in the end product.

So if you are planning a special gift for someone, this gift is rare and bespoke. You can contact me and we can make a time when Nick can come and take your measurements, talk feet and leather. Contact me here>>