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Dog Collar Workshop - LCW2019

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London Craft Week workshop - a huge thank you to Betty for modelling Welcome back good shoemakers and here we are, with a post-weekend post. We've lots to share in the run up to London Craft Week next Wednesday to Sunday including lectures, talks, exhibitions, Open Days and workshops. First up is more information about the two Dog Collar making workshops with the wonderful Frances Pinnock on Sunday 12 May.  If you can, do book on a class because, as James and I have found, saddle stitch is a great skill to learn and you'll suddenly find yourself repairing vintage bags and leather chair seats or making your own leather accessories; plus it perfectly complements shoemaking and you might even be tempted to hand stitch some uppers!    In the workshop you'll learn how to create a sharp crease line along the length of the collar and to burnish the edges to gives them an attractive sheen. Then you'll attach the solid brass roller buckle and D-ring, British-made by Abbey Englan...
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Shoemaker's Strops

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Hello to one and all and a warm, Springy welcome to our blog. And please let us wish all of you a peaceful and joyful Easter. We are looking forward to a much needed four day weekend and some warm Spring sunshine - bliss This week we have a brand new product in the Tool Shed  which we have developed in the last few weeks with the help of our pals at Barnsley in Sheffield I reckon the  shoemaker's knife is the most important thing in my tool box and keeping it sharp is the most important thing in making shoes by hand. There are many ways to sharpen a knife - wet stones, oil stones, grinding wheels, dry stones and, the way most English shoemakers do it, with a strop Shiny new strops Our new strops are made from a specially milled hardwood which sits comfortably in the hand. On one side is a piece of calf leather with the flesh side up. It is glued in place and then impregnated with jewellers rouge and a little oil. Any oil will do but in this case we used some 3 in 1. Some stro...
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Join us for London Craft Week 2019: 8 - 12 May

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Yes, it's that time again and what a packed schedule we've got lined up! We hope that you can join us for a talk, workshop or visit to the School. WEDNESDAY 8 MAY CORDWAINING LIVE! We�ll be shoe making live in Gieves & Hawkes� window overlooking Vigo Street; come by to capture us in action and please pop in to ask any shoe-related questions you may have.  Event:  Demonstration   Times:  12 � 2pm and 5 � 7pm   Venue:  Gieves & Hawkes, 1 Savile Row (Vigo Street), London W1S 3JR FREE THURSDAY 9 MAY STEPPING INTO THE UNKNOWN - A TALK WITH JAMES KEARNS This is a rare opportunity to hear from James Kearns, one of the pioneers of avant-garde fashion in the UK. James ells how he was caught up in the avant- garde movement, what brought him from Devon to London and how his inventive techniques and treatments have translated into some of the most coveted , limited edition footwear of the 21st century. Kearns is a self-taught artisan melding tradition and innov...
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Location: n1, 7 Shepherdess Pl, Hoxton, London N1 7LJ, UK
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Night at the Museum with QEST

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Welcome back good shoe folk....we had a wonderful evening recently showcasing hand sewn shoemaking as guests of QEST at the Victoria & Albert Museum.  We were proud to be invited to be part of QEST's Annual Fundraising Dinner and  delighted to be joined by Frankey and Maud, the shoe posse! The day started a few doors down in The Orangerie where we got together before taking all of our equipment across to the V&A. The event has what must be one of the fastest 'get ins' in history! One hour from the museum closing and the main hall was decorated, a bar set up and 18 makers were set up, ready and waiting to greet guests. The cordwaining posse photobombed by silversmith Wayne Meeten! It was hard to resist the temptation to sneak off for a look around the museum in the dark.... And then it was show time, chatting to guests about shoe making and teaching.... Frankey at full stretch  Her beautiful display of the boots she has made with us and her own saddle stitch work.....
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