Snowflake Mukluks

This pair of mukluks is part one of two for this order. Next up is a matching pair of baby girl mukluks! Should have the complete order out the door on Monday. Looking forward to seeing the reaction when I hand them over!

This pair includes grey rabbit fur, black suede leather, sheepskin insole, satin lining, crepe rubber, glass seed beads and plastic pony beads....and not shown but always included, the crepe rubber sole!

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Seal Fur Mittens

This latest project is a personal one, not an order and I am really happy with how the mittens turned out. Currently I have completed a pair for myself and one pair for my eldest daughter, tonight I will work on finishing a pair for my other little girl.

The mittens were made with a leather trim and sheepskin lining. On the childrens pair I only used the fur for the back of the hand and the palm and thumb are made from leather. I also rolled out some of the sheepskin around the cuff, which I think looks really cute on the kids pair.

If you would like to order a pair please note that I can only ship to Canada as seal fur is illegal in the US and EU. Please visit my shop by clicking on the link above for more information.

The fur for these mittens is harp seal and comes from northern Canadian fishing communities. The people that hunt these animals depend greatly on this practise for food, clothing and income. In Canada it is illegal to hunt baby white coat seals, and any seal fur I use comes from an adult animal. The seal hunt is a very important way of life for many traditional communities in Canada. I support the seal hunt, and the communities that depend on it. If you have any questions or opinions about seal fur I would gladly hear them. Please comment or email me.

SOLD: Black deer hide Moccasins Sz 6-7

This beautiful pair of moccasins is made with a lovely black suede deer hide. Much softer and more flexible than cowhide. This pair has the sheepskin lining, like all my footwear as well as a double leather sole, suitable for indoor use or dry outdoor use (no rain or snow). The rabbit fur trim is made of an extremely plush top quality skin with natural grey coloring. Priced at $125 this is a great deal on a quality product that will last for years to come. Please email me if you are interested. Will ship worldwide.

Carmen Avenue to Northern Light

Not sure how many people follow my blog on a regular basis, but for those who do I'm sure you will have noticed that I changed the name. Originally this blog was intended to chronicle the different sorts of artistic and creative endeavours that I pursue. At first it started mostly as paintings (which I still love doing) and gradually transitioned to mukluks and moccasins. As I have gotten back into this pursuit I have really fallen in love with the craft and intend to focus most of my extra energy on learning more about mukluks, making more mukluks and hopefully travelling north and learning more about the people who hunt and trap the animals that I use. I felt that the name "Carmen Avenue" did not reflect what I was doing anymore and think that "Northern Light" is much more appropriate. As I shift my perspective and focus I will continue to update and rework my blog to reflect this change. I am not always the best wordsmith and it is hard to describe how important what I do is to me, but I will continue to try my best and hopefully put out posts worth looking at!

Thank you for following me thus far, hope to retain your interest in the future!

Deerhide and Red Fox Moccasins

These were completed a few days ago and so hard to part with! The woman who ordered them loved them though! She had given me a pretty vague idea about what she had wanted to beading, just that she liked darker colors. When she saw the poppy she asked if I had read her mind! I think I am always nervous when people pick up their orders but they are always happy and it feels great! After 2012 I don't think I will be making any basic moccasins with rabbit fur, but will continue with fox and other wild furs.

99% Natural Summer Moccasins

Over the past few weeks I have been working on a project for this lovely couple that came across my ad on kijiji, but it also so happens that I knew the woman from a daycare one of my daughters used to attend (Love how small the world can be sometimes!) They wanted all natural lace up mukluks (or scouts) and summer moccasins. I was and still am really excited to be working on this project, as I have only completed the moccasins thus far.

I really like the idea of a natural and traditional footwear but it is very expensive to use all natural materials and mukluks have become so generic in the past few years people expect mukluks to look and feel accordingly. I use a sheepskin lining regardless if it is requested, where as most of my competitors use a synthetic fleece or faux fur type lining. I do use the rubber soles on most of my orders as it seems to be what everyone wants, and it is durable I will give it that, and I do use a contact cement as well as hand stitching to apply it. However if it were up to me I would be making all my products with a home tanned thick bison or moose hide, and doubling up the leather on the bottom. However as cost dictates, this is not what people can afford, but I think I will start pushing it as an option. As for the thread I have been using a bonded nylon but will be looking more into using natural sinew if I can get my hands on it, and depending how expensive it is.

As for this order, the moccasins are made out of cowhide leather, with an extra thick leather sole (no glue) and 100% cotton canvas lining in the foot. The beading on the woman's pair is done with glass beads and natural turquoise stones. The only unnatural product used in creating these moccasins is the bonded nylon thread.

This project really reminded me why I fell in love with mukluks and moccasins in the first place, and pushed me to get back in touch with my beliefs. In the future I will try to start working more and more with all natural products, and hopefully set myself apart from the rest of the mukluk world. I am full for orders this year, but come January I think I will make time to work on a few pairs for myself and kids so people can see what an all natural product looks like!

Mukluk Workshops! Register Now!

So I am finally ready to start a mukluk workshop! I will be teaching with one of my great friends and the woman who originally taught me, Gloria Beckman Ross.

This five week course follows you step by step through the process of creating your own unique footwear. Classes will be held weekly on Thursday evenings, start date to be confirmed (mid October). The cost of the course is $150 per person. This does not include the cost of supplies which will be approximately $100. A supply list will be provided as well as a list of places to shop. 

If you are in the Winnipeg area and interested in learning to make a pair of mukluks please contact me via email!

Deerhide Fringe Halter

I have been wanting to branch out a little bit from all the mukluks I have been making these days, and thought I would try my hand at a halter top. I had been eyeing this beautiful cream deer hide leather for a long time and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to use it. I kind of just made the pattern up as I went using one of my old bikinis as a guide. I really liked the outcome but I think I will make a few adjustments if I make another. If you are interested in ordering one please contact me directly, I don't think I will be posting this item on etsy, or advertising on kijiji. But who knows I may...

Photograph: Debbie Penner

More and more mukluks...

Recently finished two more pairs of mukluks, both with rabbit fur. So here's just a quick post with pictures.

Currently I cannot take anymore orders to be ready before Christmas. I have a lot on the go. Depending on how quickly I can get the projects done I may have time for a pair or two in December, if you are interested please contact me and I can put your name on a wait list.

Get ready to shop!

Finally have a shop open on etsy.com! If you are interested in ordering mukluks or would like to buy one of my paintings please click on the shop option above or visit: etsy.com/shop/CarmenAvenue

I will have prints, postcards, greeting cards and calanders available soon!

Coyote Mukluks & Moccasins

Well it has definitely been a while since I have updated the blog! June was unbelievably busy and the beginning of July has not been much different. However I still have been working! I recently completed a sewing project, a beautiful pair of coyote mukluks and moccasins. Quite possibly the best ones I have ever made! I have absolutely fallen in love with mukluks all over again. They are such a labour of love and I literally put blood, sweat and sometimes tears into them.

To me the process is not simply making a shoe or a boot. It is a journey of creation, spirituality and appreciation of nature as I contemplate the lives of the animals whose hides and furs I use. I thank the creator for my talents and ask the spirits of the animals to walk with the mukluks and moccasins I make.

Not only are mukluks extremely beautiful, but if correctly made they are the warmest footwear available. The Inuit of the north call them 'kamiks' and are traditionally made of caribou or seal hide. However different cultural traditions have led to a wide variety of styles and materials used. I typically work with cow hide and as cost dictates, customers usually opt for the inexpensive rabbit fur. All of my products are lined with sheepskin. I would highly recommend that if you purchase mukluks that they have this, synthetic lining is cheaper...and you get what you pay for, not nearly as warm. All outdoor footwear also comes with a rubber crepe sole for durability on concrete streets.

Here is a sample of an ad I have placed, and please if you are interested in purchase email me! I will do my best to ship to anywhere in the world and we can negotiate price and payment options! 


"Lovingly handcrafted with the finest attention to detail, my products are all 100% hand stitched, completely customised to your taste, and never duplicated. Truly one of a kind footwear that will keep you warm in the coldest weather. 

Through traditional methods and spirituality I strive to honor the creator and the animals that give their lives in everything I do. I was taught by my aboriginal elder and my work is deeply meaningful to me.

Don't settle for mass produced, machine made muks and mocs. This craft is an art form full of soul and passion!

Price reflects type of leather and fur, as well as the complexity of the bead work." 


Kinanaskomiten!

Ethical Fur?

As a Canadian living in a climate that can at times be severely harsh, and with an large Aboriginal community around me, it is not often that I am confronted with the question, "Is fur ethical?" I understand that a lot of people are opposed to the idea of using fur and other animal products in craft and for fashion, especially all the Non-Canadians following my blog. So I thought I would explain to you a few of the reasons why I believe that fur is ethical.

First and foremost I believe that hunting is the most natural way to gain food and clothing, we are allowing nature to provide for us with out mass producing synthetic materials or pumping our bodies full of all the by-products and preservatives that are found in commercial products. The factories that produce our clothing and the material that it is made of, often pump large amounts of pollution into our world and underpay and take advantage of the workers.

Secondly I believe that the use of furs and hide in craft and for clothing supports a traditional way of life for many people, Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal alike. Although I am not an Aboriginal person I highly respect their culture and believe their traditional way of is one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly ways of living.

Third, in a cold climate, fur is often the most effective way of keeping warm. My moose and fox mukluks have never let me down in the winter, and when they become worn I can repair them myself instead of going out and buying a new pair shoes.

I have many more reasons that I could give you to explain my reasons why I do believe that fur is an ethical, green and sustainable material but if you are interested in reading further please go to the following link:

Fur is Green

Mukluks & Etc.. Works in Progress

Since I have been primarily working on my sewing projects over the past few days I thought I would share a little bit of what I have been doing. Here are some pictures of the works in progress as well as the materials I have been using!

Here is my cat, Louis asleep on the furs while I work! Such a sweet little man!

 In the works, little mukluks for Sophie using chocolate cow hide, sheepskin lining and grey rabbit fur. 

 

The beginning of a large project for a lovely girl, Andrea Bjorklund. She has ordered mukluks, moccasins and mitts! All in black suede leather, coyote fur and sheepskin lining as show in the picture to the left.

A sample of the furs and leathers that I have. From left coyote, silver fox, sheepskin, muskrat, rabbit, black and chocolate leather and a raccoon tail at the bottom!

I Heart Mukluks!

Several years ago, while attending Argyle Alternative I met a wonderful woman, Gloria. At the time she was working as a daycare provider in the school, looking after my daughter Ashley while I finished high school. Argyle has a strong focus on Aboriginal culture, however I found Gloria to be the most influencing. Besides her work at the daycare (which she as since left) she also is highly involved in rejuvenating the true essence of Aboriginal culture amongst the youth in our city. She teaches various classes, including how to make mukluks, I was fortunate enough to get private instruction, and made a beautiful pair of moose hide, fox fur and sheep skin mukluks!

This picture isn't the greatest at showcasing how beautiful the boots actually were but it's the only one I really have (plus I look kinda good here). The hide I bought from the Winnipeg Trading Post in the North End, and the fox fur was recycled from a coat I found at Value Village. For those of you who don't know Value Village is a large chain of thrift stores in Canada. Unfortunately last year my giant dog, Oslo the Great Pyrenees, ripped the fur to shreds. Definitely unable to buy new fox fur. I opted to cut up the rest of the coat, which was muskrat fur and recover the boots with that. They are not at all as beautiful as they once were, but they look alright and I am kind of impressed with my resourcefulness on this project. I will be making more as soon as I have the money to buy hide, and I will be keeping a look out for cheap second hand fur coats!