… as in, literally, I am talking about my shoes!
So, yes; I have actually had this YouTube channel for aaaaages, and now I’ve added the link to my other social media buttons at top right. It’s been a sad neglected little thing, barely used, except for once six years ago! forgive me father, it’s been six years since my last confession… 😉 when I joined in that worldwide accents and pronunciation thing-y that a lot of bloggers did … that was fun! Although I thought that list didn’t have nearly the variety of words it could have had and there could have been more interesting questions too… the one about throwing toilet paper all over someone’s house still has me going “whaaaaat?” Anyway that lonely little vlog is no longer an only child 🙂 If I sound a bit nervous it’s because I am! Definitely it feels super weird to sit all by yourself, except for one curious pussy cat…! and talk to your computer, just so unnatural. Well more accurately you’re sorta talking to your own reflection really which feels like a very awkwardly self-involved thing to do. Also, one thing that really stands out to me after I’d listened back to myself is that I have to learn to speak up louder! Honestly, I am a very quiet person, but the volume thing? I really should know that by now… I’ve been getting the “speak up!!” feedback my whole life. That Seinfeld episode about the “low talker”? yep, that one hit pretty close to home for me!
HOWEVER! having said that, I think I should do more vlogs, it’s a good self-development tool in my quest to overcome the aforementioned “low-talking” and my shyness, maybe even help with my longterm horror of public speaking… so maybe when I make my next pair of shoes I’ll throw together another one. Yes, I am currently planning another pair of shoes… and steeling myself to cut into some of my precious fish leather that I bought in Iceland *eeeeek!! the thought of cutting into it sounds terrifying! but I think I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
I LOVE your cute accent! And enjoyed hearing about the shoes also. I think you did a lovely job, better than I could have done for sure 🙂
aw, thanks so much Angela! It’s funny how you don’t think you have an accent, it’s something other people have, haha 😉
Thank you. I loved hearing from you “in person” and all about your amazing shoes.
thank you Kathy 🙂
Your dedication to the shoe cause is to be admired. I would not have the patience and would have caved really quickly in the face of cute rtw examples. It is nice to put a voice to the person.
thanks Andrea! I steeled myself to not ever walk into a shoe store during my Year of Handmade. Then I did right near the end and was practically drooling over all the gorgeous rtw shoes… well, I’ve finished my year now! but the funny thing is that I am still wearing my own handmade shoes pretty consistently, in fact more often than not!
I thought it was really fun to see especially how your clogs have been holding up, since you have mentioned once in a while that they get a lot of wear. I am not into shoemaking myself but have been thinking about making my own insoles to protect my store bought shoes and help keep them clean. As I am writing this it strikes me that it wolud be fun to see a vlog where you show how to make that, or maybe some other part of the shoe-making. Perhaps it’s not easily done, but anyway, it would be fun to watch when you make something.
thank you so much Anna-Karin! I am planning to do another vlog when I make my next pair of shoes… I’m kind of new to vlogging which is probably obvious from my nervous babbling! but I’ll do my best 🙂
great to see all you shoes in ‘360’ – great vlog (those videos are so hard to make)
thank you very much eimar! and yes they are! I’m trying to get better at talking, I find writing SO much easier 🙂
Shoe-making is really interesting skill, so nice to see what kind of things can be made! And a special guest appearance by a cat is always great! 🙂
thank you! Yes, it’s funny, I reviewed my old, first vlog and she made a brief guest appearance in that one too!
So interesting Carolyn, and very inspiring.
thank you Linda!
Thank you for sharing Carolyn, I loved seeing the shoes moving and hearing your stories about them.
thank you so much Anna! 🙂
Fantastic video, Carolyn. I really enjoyed hearing you speak about your shoe-making process. Yes, inspiring too. It gives me confidence to think about trying some shoe repairs of my own.
Melanie, I am SO excited about seeing what you could do with a pair of shoes… DOOOO IT!!
Enjoyed seeing your video – starring with your wonderful collection of hand made shoes and boots. You are so talented, and quite the seamstress as well. Funny to think of the anxiety you must have felt as the professional shoe maker put your shoes to the test! Your growth as a shoe maker is quite impressive. Thanks for sharing the details. The cats participation was nice too!!! Beautiful furry one!!
thank you so much Judy! Yes, my heart was in my mouth as my shoes got “beaten up”! but felt it was a good hard lesson to learn. I think my pussycat was quite surprised she didn’t get her expected cuddle!
I felt as though I got to meet you really here on your video – you are definitely more cheeky in print 🙂 (your alter ego? 🙂 )
There IS something so odd (self conscious/contrived/embarrassing?) about talking to a computer by yourself to yourself! I think that’s why so many vloggers resort to interviews with others or at least having a second person with them in conversation… in light of that I think you did fabulously well. I hope you also noticed how rarely you said, “Umm, ahhh, so..” 🙂 Love that you make your own shoes as well as being such an amazingly gifted sewist.
thank you so much Kathleen! I find it about a thousand times easier to write than to talk, which is probably obvious from my video! the words flow out of my fingers much more easily and more naturally to me than from my mouth. I’m an enormously self-conscious speaker, and am really trying to work on that 🙂
Thanks for sharing Carolyn. Your hints about making shoes are excellent.
thank you Leonie 🙂
I am officially inspired to try my hand at shoemaking now! You’ve really made it seem more accessible than I had imagined.
(I can already feel my family rolling their eyes…)
Would love to hear more about what tools you’ve used (just a regular sewing machine?) and any recommendations you have for resources, books etc.
thanks Allison! I just have a regular sewing machine, and learnt everything I know from youtube videos. I found Andrew Wrigley’s Making a Shoe by Hand to be very inspiring and informative, and there was also a very helpful one from Marcell Mrsan, though it is visuals only and no talking. Also another visuals only one, filming an Indian bootmaker making a boot by hand, although I used a different technique for my own.
Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Your story about the cobbler had me laughing. All of your shoes are wonderful!
thank you Tomasa! Yes, I could laugh at the cobbler one… MONTHS later! because it did not feel very funny at the time!
I loved hearing your voice! Now I can hear it in my head as I read the typed words from your future blog posts. You did a very nice job with your video.
thank you very much Shirley!
Thank you for sharing your journey in shoemaking. You are a very talented lady
thank you Beth! 🙂
I really enjoyed this video, seeing all your shoes again and hearing about how you made each pair. I loved the cobbler story!
thanks Megan! Yes, I can laugh at the cobbler story… NOW! Couldn’t at the time though!
Great video, content and presentation. I also have that soft voice thing but it’s difficult to be any other way! The shoes are inspiring creations.
thank you very much Karen! 🙂
Wonderful job! You sounded very natural.
thank you Patty! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I have just spent the last few months reading through your amazing blog. I’ve used it as my bedtime reading, so my dreams could be filled with neat finishes and beautiful seams! I tend to refashion rather than sew from scratch but regardless you have inspired my work a lot; I was of the attitude that the insides didn’t matter too much as they couldn’t be seen. Now I’m improving my techniques and already feel more satisfied with my finished garments. I finally had the courage to cut into a vintage Celine skirt that didn’t fit me, and I absolutely love it now. Thank you so much!
It’s funny, I’d finished reading your older posts and was wishing I could see a little more of the inspiring woman behind the words. Then you posted this lovely video! I now have to resist the urge to buy shoe-making equipment…
Thanks again 🙂
It is so lovely to hear your voice!! Your shoe-making adventures have always impressed me, and it was so cool to see them up close and hear you describe how you make and design each style. Honestly, after seeing this video, the whole concept seems much more approachable than I ever thought it would, so thanks for that! 🙂
I selfishly hope this is the first of many videos, as I really enjoyed it!
It was lovely to hear all about your shoe making journey.