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!

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!

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!