Don’t you love it when you are so inspired to do something that you have to do it RIGHT NOW?
Several weeks ago I saw these 1930s floral-pattern and metallic shoes on Pinterest (from the Thought Patterns blog):
Beautiful! I immediately bookmarked this image, on Pinterest, and in my mind. I knew there was a way to make/refashion similar shoes. I had a starting base:
Very old, maybe 1920s or ’30s Mary Janes. You can see me wearing them here. I had been thinking about getting them professionally repainted/dyed a darker color for fall but had been putting it off for no particular reason. (OMG, I just realized, looking at this photo, the perforations form a heart in the center!)
So I’ve been trying to figure out how I was going to get the roses on here. Paint them? (HA!) Waterslide decals? (Probably not suited to leather.) Decoupage with Victorian clip art? (Might be messy.) I have a whole bunch of Victorian stickers on my stationery drawer that I haven’t used. While decorating a package today (for a certain little fairy friend), I realized that the stickers were printed on thin, clear plastic. Eep! Just the ticket.
I went to work straight away. No, I don’t know how durable this is and what will happen when I actually wear them out and about. But I didn’t care, I was having too much fun.
And they are not perfect, there is a wrinkle here and there but I think they look pretty good. I’m going to wait a while to see if the stickers start to peel off; if so, I might put on a coat of satin clear acrylic paint over them.
To finish these off I painted the trim a pretty, faded gold (“Champagne Gold” metallic acrylic paint from DecorArt). These are now the prettiest shoes I own! OK, so where to wear them?
That's a very clever way to purchase something you can't afford—draw it and then sell the illustration. I'm going to go right now and draw the Harley I've been wanting and then maybe, just maybe, someone will purchase it for $17,000. It could happen. You think?
Dear Andrea, Thanks for illustraing for me why women find shoe so tantalizingly sexy. I would love to see also the foot that would fit inside that shoe...thanks for coming back to your fold so impressively..still and always a fan ...keep your chin above your fist...a true fan , tim
I think selling the drawing -- or prints of it -- is a darn good idea, and next thing you know you'll be able to buy them in RED too :-)
And I am sure they would look seriously great on you.
beautiful drawing of a beautiful shoe...
You are so clever and resourceful Andrea.
I want you to meet my daughter as she also has this shoe disease (and purses). My daughter that is the mother of those three girls.
Awesome art!
Thank you for your kind words on my blog. (Insert smilie face here.)
How much would that be in US money? I'm not a shoe person but I AM a purse person!
I just love your art. I check everyday to see what's new.
you kill me (with laughter) i love this illustration, and i'm a dude that doesn't understand the allure of shoes to women. My oldest calls herself a shoe whore also. If i had the cash i'd send it right now, so you could get these. this drawing just pops out and grabs you. Do the shoes come in a mans size 11 (US)? hope you get to keep 'em.
Hey Andrea, I'd gift you the shoes if I could! Your middle name must be "genius" because you've come up with one very novel idea!! I hope someone will buy your drawing for double that, because it's worth every penny!
Oww, pretty!! What kind of shoe (brand/model) is that?
WOWZA! I think this drawing is one of your best! Everything looks so perfect. I wish I could buy your drawing. £75 is nothing to someone who is working and earning though, so I'm sure someone will buy will buy it - I would, if that 'working and earning' person was me!
I too, am a shoe whore, and if I had the cash, I'd buy something from you in order to assist you with your lovely addiction.
I'm also a Buddhist though, so I know how important it is when we weigh and balance what we need vs. what we want.
I wish you luck in obtaining the fantastic shoes you desire. If you're meant to have them, you will.
Beautifull drawing, like reall!!! ;)
They are gorgeous! Buy buy buy!
(Love the drawing too.)
Love your spirit! And your art. Put the shoe on with a great outfit and take a photo and then send it back - because fasionistas only wear the same stuff once!! :-)
BTW I don't know what happened with the emails I sent you .. I need your address to send you the bracelet and I sent you my address for the molezines.
Waiting to hear from you.
XX
Sweet! And nicely done! Are those Tracy Neuls??
Ingenious way of generating cash! Great drawing. Hope you sell it and get those shoes!
wow, what a fab idea! Wish I could help you out, as love the drawing, but am in same predicament re shoes/cash & need/want balance.
Thank you, everybody.
THE DRAWING HAS SOLD AND THE SHOES ARE NOW MINE!
I like this drawing very much. I did it on one of those days when you have nothing to do but draw. That feels like such a luxury. As do the shoes.
Thank you all for the kind comments. And, of course, to the new owner of this drawing (and my sometimes patron). x
Hi Andrea, what a clever idea! It reminds me of Penny Crayon who was a little cartoon character who would draw something and it came to life! It's a beautiful drawing, I so hope someone can buy it.x
...oh! I've jusr seen your last comment! Well done yay!xx
Oh, Andrea!! You lucky duck!!
Amazing drawing of amazing shoes! Just wonderful!!
Simply great, very beautiful.
Too funny. Before I got to the end I was thinking "she should just sell the drawing" and you did!
What an exquisite drawing, the desire is certainly present there. I'm so glad you got the shoes!