OMG! I designed a pair of clog boots!!!

And what's more, I've lined up a discount for you on all Multnomah clogs if you mention my blog. Details at the end of this post.

But first, the story of how I designed a pair of clog boots! Really! Honest to God! I kid you not! After more years than I'm willing to admit spent wishing and hoping and even occasionally praying for a clog with this feature or that, I was finally able to sit down (via the internet) with an experienced leather craftsman and brainstorm just the sort of wood soled shoes I've always wanted. OMG! What a fabulous experience! I'm a creative soul by nature so the process itself was extremely gratifying on that level. But then to actually be able to slit open the shipping box (more like rip open) when it arrived and pull back the tissue paper to discover the actual shoes I'd helped to dream up, well, that's a moment that's in a class by itself. Drag performer RuPaul once wisely noted, "There's something very powerful about becoming the creature of your own imagination." Which is just a variation on Joseph Campbell's sage advice: "Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls." 

Only you can have any idea what the form and nature of your bliss might be. Consider this modest post a word of encouragement to hasten you further along with your own journey. Nine months ago I started this blog with a step into the great unknown. This spring it has given birth to a handful of new e-friendships and a sense of community that I never even dreamed could exist. And one totally awesome pair of clog boots! But rather than simply write about the experience, I thought I'd share with you an annotated photo album to take you from initial inspiration to final consummation.

This past April I had the good fortune of interviewing the man behind Multnomah Leather Shop, Mark Casperson, for a Featured Designer post on Every Clog Has Its Day. Mark has been following in his father's wood shod footsteps carrying on the distinctive line of clogs originated by the company founder Oscar Auestad in 1938. As I pored over the images on the Multnomah site, it was clear that Mark actually encouraged his customers to have fun choosing the styles and kinds of leather or suede they'd like for their shoes. In the course of our dialogue, he sent along some photos of some custom designs he'd executed. One picture in particular grabbed my attention, a photo of one customer's royal blue suede/black suede pair. Something about the distinctive look of those shoes fired my imagination and got me thinking half-seriously about just what sort of clog I might design for myself.

My own wardrobe is basically black, and I use a wide variety of colors as accents. With that in mind, I knew I couldn't create an overly colorful shoe. Otherwise my "matchy-matchy" gene would only allow me to wear it with something complimentary. And I didn't want these to be single outfit shoes. On the other hand, having a pair of clogs custom made is an expensive proposition, and I couldn't see commissioning a shoe that would be so generic that it would go with everything. I have tons of black clogs in my closet already. I wanted a pair that would have a strong personality of their own. So I fired up Photoshop and started playing around with repainting one of the images from the Multnomah site. In an effort to keep from committing myself to one particular color scheme, I decided to incorporate several!

I was enjoying where the look was going, but I had to admit I wasn't really a fan of the overall design. I wear clogs, and I wear boots, and that's about it. I was having a hard time envisioning how I would be working an oxford into my wardrobe. Especially since the style seems to require a pair of socks...something I also don't wear very often.

Then out of the blue, Multnomah's owner wrote me an e-mail with a picture of a pair of clog boots he'd just designed. He wanted to see if he could put his hand to crafting such a style, and the pair was the first he'd ever created.

If you've been following my ravings about clogs on this blog for any length of time, you've heard me talk repeatedly about how much I would love to own a pair of clog boots. You've also heard me rant about how I've never had the good fortune of finding a pair that truly fit my long, narrow feet. When Mark sent me this image, suddenly I found myself tumbling headlong in a new direction. This could be my opportunity to get the clog boots I'd been longing for. And get them in a size that didn't pinch my toes or leave my feet swimming from side to side. Plus, I could have some input into what leathers he would use, right? And what color to paint the wooden sole, too,...right?

The answer was, of course, yes. But that little three letter word doesn't begin to sum up the realm of possibilities that opened up for me.

Back into Photoshop I went, pulling along Mark's new photo. Let's see, what would I like to see in a clog boot from Multnomah? How about a cap toe? And contrasting leather? And what about a higher platform? With a thick lug sole? And why not throw in a bootstrap at the back for fun? And how about a simple accent over the ankle?

As you can see, I took Mark's original Multnomah clog boot design and put my own stamp on it. I experimented with different colors and tried to envision different textures (e. g., pebbled leather versus smooth, leather versus suede). Let me say now that this man is blessed with infinite patience. I was afraid my initial indecisiveness was going to make him wish he was selling flip-flops instead. But I finally reached my own clarity on the design and sent off my money. Then it was time to sit back and let the master craftsman do his work. My only request: take some pictures along the way so I can share them with my readers.

And that's exactly what he did.

So where does a designer start? With an idea of how the shoe is put together. What are the shapes of the individual pieces? Where do they overlap? How do they line up? As with so many creative endeavors, it's necessary to sketch out a rough draft as the first step.

I like using Photoshop for my graphic work. Mark uses Illustrator. As an experienced clog designer, he knows the way the leather needs to be cut to fit around the foot. And with a few tweaks to the overall template, he's able to sort out just how to create the patterns for the clog boots I wanted.

Next up: the first tentative steps from the virtual world to reality. It's time to cut out the patterns and see how they actually fit together.

Not a wasted bit of leather. All the patterns arranged and marked. (Does this remind anyone else out there of making cookie cutter cookies? Does anyone else feel suddenly hungry for a nibble of leftover cookie dough?)

Assembling the leather bits. The clog boot of my dreams is starting to take shape!

Meantime, over on the woodworking table, the sole is at the beginning of its transformation from lumber to shoe.

Once shaped (the sole on the left), each piece has a nail groove carved along the perimeter (the sole on the right). This is where the leather upper will be fastened to the wooden sole. Then comes the wetting of the leather upper to form it over a last and secure it to the sole. It's a process documented on the Multnomah site here and demonstrated in this YouTube video I posted in April.

Finally, the leather is fitted, the varnish is dry, the laces are threaded, and the shoe is assembled. All that's left is to pack up that freshly made pair and send them on their way.

 Can you say, "Antici................pation"?

The lid is open. I can just make out the silhouette of one boot beneath the paper.

And there it is!

OMG! New York! Just like I pictured it! Skyscrapers and everything!

Well, don't just stand there gawking! Put 'em on and take 'em for a walk!

OMG! Did I mention how much I love these shoes? And in a show appreciation, the maker has dubbed the style the Lindsey. I feel honored!

Just recently, I was writing to one of my regular readers about the pleasure of shoes like these on my feet. It seems the appropriate way to wrap up this post.

"You know the feeling!  There's a whole sensuous experience to wearing a wooden shoe.  A combination of the feel of its weight on your foot and the solid firmness with which it supports each step as well as the sound it makes as it strikes the ground.  And of course, if it's sculpted well, there's the unique pleasure of its visual attractiveness which is only enhanced by its being fashioned of wood.  When I've got the right pair of shoes on my feet, I do stand a little taller and walk a little prouder!"

Aaahhh, the satisfaction of a job well done. Kicking back and enjoying a summer's day in my hammock chair with my fabulous new clog boots on my feet. To borrow a phrase from my friend Deirdre, "Life is grand!" 

____________________________

Multnomah Leather Shop $25.00 off offer!

Interested in designing a bit of clog heaven to call your own? Or maybe just treat yourself to one of the off-the-rack models? You can reach Mark Casperson via The Multnomah Leather Shop here. What's more, I asked if he'd be interested in giving a discount to anyone who mentioned reading about his shoes on Every Clog Has Its Day...to which he replied:

"Done! $25 off for your readers...on all models through June."

Where was that Multnomah web site again? You'll find it here.

Comments

[Kiki]

Applause, applause !!!!!

Yep...I'd be staring at my feet all day in secret (or not so secret) delight. FABULOUS!!

[cloggersl]

It is very nice. I would like also... one times...

[Stella Mayfair]

oh wow, lindsey! these are so great! love the colour scheme, and the little round accent on the ankle!

[Lindsey Cochran]

Thank you all! I feel bad for all my other clogs which are now green with envy as they eye the attention and wear this pair is getting!

[Tea]

Oh my goodness! Fantastic!

[Melissa Krebs]

I have been following your blog very day for quite a while, and it is wonderful---but this has to be the best post ever! How extraordinary are your new clog boots---I am off to order a pair of clog saddle shoes, having lusted for them ever since you originally mentioned Mark's work on your blog. Wlak tall in your awesome boots, ma'am!

[Lindsey Cochran]

God bless you for writing! I was just having a rough afternoon at work in front of my computer today, and your message made the clouds part and the sun shine. Thank you so much! (And when you receive your saddle shoes, be sure to send a picture or two!)

[Laressa Mackenzie]

Really cool. Love to see the creativity and old world craftsmanship come to life. Thanks for posting!

[clogboy]

Sweet! Awesome! You finally did it!

[Lindsey Cochran]

Wow! What a rush to actually make these shoes happen! A once in a lifetime event, for sure!

[Lindsey Cochran]

Ha, ha, ha! Well, I have plenty more ideas where this pair came from! Just have to win the lotto to finance them!

[Pam]

My Mom and Aunt both had Multnomah's in high school during the 40's. I had a pair made as a high school student back in the 80's. Mark has refurbished my HS pair and they look like new! Seems like 2010 is the right year to order a pair of boots - thanks for the post!

[Lindsey Cochran]

And thank YOU for dropping by! If it wouldnt be too much trouble, send in a photo of your refurbished Multnomahs! Id love to see that vintage pair. Im loving my new clog boots big time...even in the summer. So glad I found the Multnomah site!

[Pam]

Will do when I get home - wish I had the REAL vintage ones that were in the family... they were suede with a single strap detail across the front. We used them as gardening shoes when I was a kid.

[Lindsey Cochran]

Dont get me started on the number of clogs that I got rid of over the years thinking I was done with them!