As part of the bigger picture, there is an organisation called the British Business Embassy which is an opportunity for UK businesses to shmooze foreign dignitaries and business people. It is located in Lancaster House which is nestled between Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace. A very grand 18th Century neoclassical house, it is usually filled with fusty old furniture, but for the Olympics, British Business Embassy have filled it with contemporary British furniture, art and craft. And we were included! So on Tuesday, all the contributors had a reception. We were in good company with the likes of Damien Hurst and Grayson Perry, we felt very grand. And out of the hundreds of contributors, we got a name check in the speech from the head honcho - excellent!
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| Garden At Lancaster House |
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| Deborah In The Garden |
But back to more mundane matters. This week we thought we would give you a little snapshot of the life in a shoemaking workshop.
One of the most exciting parts of shoemaking is the transformation of a design into an upper. You never quite know how your designs will turn out.
So getting a package from one of our closers is always good.
The wrapping comes off.
3 pairs of uppers, all safely wrapped in bubblewrap.
First up an adjustment on these gorgeous button boots. The leather is shrunken calf. They shrink the calf skins and it results in a natural grain which is uneven and lovely. Not like the standard stamped grains you usually get.
Suede quarters; plum glace kid lining; and antique resin buttons.
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| Detail Of The Buttons |
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| Military Ribbon Tug |
Next up is an antiqued wing cap Oxford. Monogrammed medallion - nice shoe. These are a second pair, so we can go straight ahead and make them.
The closer pulls one of the uppers over on the last to check that it fits properly.
The pattern is returned with the uppers too.
Lastly is a black Derby with red glace kid lining and red slip beading on the top edge. The last has an elegant chisel toe and will make a lovely shoe.
Patterns back with us too. These are for a fitting, so we will brace them onto an insole and get the customer in to see how they fit.
So we have plenty of work to be getting on with next week.
And that was the highlight of our day yesterday. Hope you enjoyed sharing it with us.
Until next week, happy shoemaking!
