Shoe College

Man my man is an amazing man.  For our first anniversary he made me a pair of leather flats.  My heart melted.  Before that and ever since he's persistently attempted to make shoes and seek out information about the process.  He's checked out books from the library, searched around on the internet, asked local shoe repair places if he could sweep their floors in trade for some knowledge.  Once I even found some informational VHS tapes available for purchase from Canada, but we didn't end up following through on that one.  To say the least, nothing successfully brought around the information he needed.  

Arie has a true desire to be a professional craftsman.  He's already, in my opinion, quite a successful seamster, finding a little niche for himself in the world of handmade chalk bags.  Over the years he's used his etsy shop as his means for funding his outdoor adventuring.  But the shoe thing never left his mind so he continued searching and seeking, eventually stumbling across Universite des Chaurssures out of Jerome Arizona.  And great news!  His little etsy shop decided to offer him a full ride scholarship for a one-on-one week at Shoe College.

We chose to book the trip to Jerome over our anniversary, making a little vacation out of the opportunity.  I'm happy to know that anniversaries may be forming a habit of marking the creation of handmade leather shoes.  Here are some photos I took over the course of Arie's week at Shoe College. 

First day jitters.

He worked until the very last minute of the very last day, and I think the shoes speak for themselves.  Unreal.  I'm so impressed, and so excited for more shoes to come (including some for me)!  Jerome was such a great place to visit, I had a great time keeping myself busy while Arie was working/learning.  Many things were experienced, including this!  It's a place we never would have known about had it not been for Arie's visit to Shoe College.

Thanks for sharing,

H

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Steeplechase and a Striped Skirt.

The Wahsatch Steeplechase is one of Arie's favorite races to run/scramble/slide/climb/stumble through in these parts.  I am happy when he competes in this event because it's my favorite race to see him finish, if only for slightly selfish reasons.  City Creek Canyon offers Arie a familiar challenge, and Memory Grove offers me a lush and puppy friendly place to rest while searching him out at the finish line.

While I was waiting for Arie to finish, I spotted a cute lady in a cute outfit walk by.  I knew I wanted to snap a photo, but was unwilling to lose my chance to see Hubby's triumphant and familiar finish line farmer kick.  So she passed me by unbothered, temporarily.

Arie finished, Arie farmer kicked, Arie found a place to sit, puppy licked his salty face, and I went to find him an orange.  On my orange seeking trek I walked past the cute lady in the cute outfit and no longer did she remain unbothered.  No, I'm kidding about the bothering thing...when I asked her if I could take a picture of her outfit she laughed and obliged.  Her friend proclaimed, "See, I told you you looked cute!"  I concurred.

I love the simplicity of the look - super casual, but very intentional.  When I rolled out of bed that morning, it was old band t-shirt and jeans time.  But her, I don't know, maybe this is her version of band t-shirt and jeans?  She's still comfortable, still easily put together, definitely inspiring!  Future outfit replication plans have already commenced!  But back to my salty husband and my old band t-shirt which just so happens to be the very shirt I was wearing the day Arie and I met...

So proud of you Hubby!

Until next year's finish, at which I may just be wearing a striped skirt,

Eightch

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