WCIU on Chicago School of Shoemaking!

Dreams into Shoes

These women had only dared to dream about making a pair of shoes from start to finish. It’s not something that we usually think about these days: “I wonder if I could make my own shoes….?” But they found the school, and all of a sudden, a dream became a reality. This 2 day workshop netted some awesome shoes, and some pretty happy cobblers.

When I Grow Up

When you were a kid, what did you dream of doing when you grew up? I am talking about after the phase of wanting to be Spiderman, or any other superhero? All I wanted to do was make things, build things. There wasn’t a general category for that–at least for a girl, that I can remember. I was a builder before I was a weaver, before I was a shoemaker. One thing led to another in the realm of working with my hands. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. Working with your hands. Found a quote this morning:

If you say that you would love to do something, it is your responsibility to make it happen. ~ Rick Singer

Awesome Students

Will's Shoes

As I teach the beginning class to a variety of students, I realize that each person has a dream that they are reaching for. James wants to be a shoemaker. [period] He wants it to be his primary job–to make shoes for people around the world. Will wanted to have a pair of shoes he made for his portfolio. He’s applying to a school in Florence, Italy in leather work. Damani has dreamed of designing and making shoes for years and wants to build her fabrication skills so she knows what’s possible. Everyone has a dream. What’s yours????