Look out Elle Woods!

I am so very excited to show a sneak preview of my first official pair of DiscoToe shoes!

Shoes are "Kairie" by Jessica Simpson

The heel and strap across the toe will be embellished with "Hematite" crystals.  The great thing about these stones is that they give a dark black look but are more sparkly than the "Black" crystals.  They have a sort of silvery cast to them and will look incredible with the snake skin texture of the body of the shoe!

I used a little photoshop magic to help illustrate the finished product.  On the real-life/non-digital pair, I will use sizes 20ss, 16ss, 10ss, and 6ss crystals clustered closely together to give the most solid and sparkly look possible.  By using the many different sizes, I am able to nest them together avoiding awkward lines and holes showing the base of the shoe. 

These shoes are commissioned by Miss Lauren, a friend from college in Texas who lives on the West Coast now.  We were roommates for a (too) short time and I got to witness first hand the crazy amount of time and effort she put into Law School.  After three long years, she is finally done, and she will walk across the stage sporting these beauties under her graduation robe.  

Megs and Kulpey out on the town

I DARE anyone to have more fabulous shoes than Lauren on that stage!!  

One of the many, many things I love about this gal is that she is both incredibly smart and the life of the party.  She is beautiful and brainy, and could absolutely star in Legally Blonde Brunette, battling the law while looking fabulous.

I am so proud of your educational accomplishments, Lauren, but even more proud to call you my wifey and friend!!

I PROMISE to get Lauren and her shoes in action on graduation day!!

Green With Envy...and Your "Sole Mate"!

Shortly after bff Linds (see 1st post!) expressed interest in her own pair of sparkly shoes, I found myself needing to jazz up a pair of bright green shoes for a play I was working on.  The designer suggested covering the shoes in the same fabric as the dress, but for several reasons this was going to be crazy to do seeing as the fabric was covered in big ol' sequins and would make the shoe look chunky.  

Chunky shoes are not cute.

Still dreaming about the image Lindsay shared, I suggested a little "sparkle magic".  Using four different shades of swarovski crystals in various sizes, I scattered them around the toe and heel of the shoe.  The effect on stage was sparkly but not obnoxious and really fun, especially when the actress walked!!

See the little plastic thingie on the heel?

THAT, my friends is called a Sole Mate.  You slip it onto your stiletto heel and it protects it (and YOU) when you are going to be walking on unstable ground.  Walking down the isle in your outdoor wedding on soft ground, you will not have to pull your heel out with every step.  We added these to the shoes for the play because there were small grooves in the floor for moving scenery and the actress did not want to get her shoe stuck in it.  They are easily removable for times when you don't want them, but I promise they are an ankle saver!!!!  

via

They even have several sizes to choose from based on your heels!

I am working on several ideas for DIY projects including one on PAINTING your OWN satin shoes!  Its so easy and so very beautiful!  I'd love any ideas for projects, so start thinking about what you want to learn about!

she believed she could...

image from valentinadesign.etsy.com

I found this image on Valentinadesign's etsy page.  Probably came across it at some point in my three week search for any and all things related to starting a page on Etsy, I don't even remember.  I loved it so much that it became an instant "favorite" (Etsy's way of giving the seller a "hey I think you're cool" sort of pat on the back).  

This quote "is so where I live" (name that musical) right now.  I have a career that is both incredibly fulfilling and terribly frustrating.  One day I have scored a year long contract to work and the next I am back to working on a show by show basis.  The jobs that work come and go as my skills are needed.  I fill in WAY too many W-2s on my taxes every year because of jumping from theater to theater.  But I love what I do and the talented people I am blessed to work with.  Because of this ever uncertain path I've chosen to take, I decided to become a businesswoman.  Eww.  Too stuffy.

Maybe businessgal.  gross

businesslady.  lame

businesschick  stupid

Maybe I'm just a person who loves to make things and loves to make things that make people smile.  

Enter sparkly shoes. I got the idea from my best friend.  I thought about it.  And I did it.  

Best friend:

Megaroo and Linds (circa...a few years ago)

wants to wear these:

Louboutins...beautiful but $$$

When she marries him:

 Or a guy that looks like him.

Because I love and adore my best friend and want her to have the most beautiful wedding she could imagine, I offered (or demanded) to decorate these shoes for her.  From there, a spark grew.  The more I told friends about my idea, the more positive feedback I received and the more it got me thinking.  

Surely there were other brides to be out there that wanted beautiful sparkling shoes but didn't want to fork over the very high price tag?

So I did it.  DiscoToes was the first name I came up with and it was just too amusing to pass up.  Etsy, Twitter, Facebook Page all set up.  Amazingly DiscoToes was still on the market.  First pair of shoes created.  Connections started.  Its on.

she believed she could, so she did...