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!

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!