HOW TO FIX SOLE SEPARATION
– Air Jordan 11 Retro –
How to fix sole separation is one of the main questions I get as a shoe repair professional. Lots of people want to know how to do it themselves. The collectors of Air Jordans are particular about keeping their expensive Nike Air Jordans in good, collectible shape. In this video, I demonstrate the 4 steps how to do it yourself from the comfort of your own home.
Supplies:
The supplies are available on my Amazon shopping cart. As an Amazon Associate I earn a percentage of your purchases which supports me making more content for you! In this video I used contact cement, a screwdriver, sandpaper, white Angelus paint and a paint brush. keep a rag handy for cleaning up any mess you might make.
Step 1: Separate the Sole from the Shoe
I typically remove the entire sole from the shoe, especially with the Nike Air Jordans. That was not the case here. This Air Jordan was still glued well together and only needed gluing in certain key spots. I still checked the entire sole to make sure I didn’t miss anything. If something is coming unglued, it is usually because of old glue, thus, the whole shoe should be checked. In this situation, the glue was holding well. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is the saying that applies here.
I used a tool very similar to a screwdriver. I would recommend a screwdriver if you are doing this at home. It is important to use it carefully until you are used to handling it properly. It is easy to accidentally let the tool slip, and now you have a cut down your perfect shoe. As a professional, I always take my time. Once you have your surfaces apart from each other, you will want to sand them. I keep different grits, or roughness of paper, on hand for different jobs. On this project I used a rough grit in order to create a rough surface for the glue to adhere.
Step 2: Apply the Glue to the Sole and Shoe
I use contact cement for all of my projects. In this video I used an oil gun filled with contact cement. It allows me to get into the small areas with finesse. Once the glue is applied, I squeeze the layers together, wipe away the excess, and let the pieces open up so that the air can get inside and dry the glue.
Step 3: Assemble the Glued Surfaces
I wait 20-25 minutes before I assemble the soles. Once the glue is dry, I CAREFULLY push the two parts back together again. Contact cement works best when dry and the areas contact each other. I take my time and make sure I have a good hold of the shoe parts. Press firmly to assure they hold.
Step 4: Paint Over the Glued Areas
Painting the shoe is the most fun for me and likely will be for you. I have collected a large assortment of Angelus paints because of the variety of projects I do. In this video, I use white and a fine tip paint brush. I have included the paint brushes I use on my Amazon shopping page. If you do a lot of art projects I would by the large package. They are affordable and hold up well over lots of use.
Finished! Learning how to fix the sole separation is super easy, just take your time!
Tandy Leather Factory and designer Teri Edmonds have teamed up to bring you this helpful video demonstrating two great ways to install rivets, eyelets snaps and stamps using the Craftool® Pro Hand press and hand tools. All of the products seen here are listed below and are available on the TandyLeather.com website. I also have included a link to my Amazon Shopping cart for additional crafting supplies. When you by from my Amazon cart I receive a small percentage so thank you for supporting me so I can keep making more content for you!
Supplies
3960-00 Craftool® Pro Hand Press –
This hand press is simple to install and simple to use. It comes packed in a compact box and is heavy-duty. It can be permanently on a desktop or workbench or it can be more portable using a C-clamp or two. The long handle makes light work of of your project and is easy on the wrists. This video shows 5 different types of hardware but the Craftool® Pro has so many more uses. A person could collect a wide array of dies including alphabet stamps and round spot rivets. The Craftool® Pro hand press is accurate and precise every time if used properly.
Attachments and parts for the Craftool® Pro Hand Press –
3984-00Decorative rivets and Burrs Press Die and 11277-37 Aluminum Decorative Rivets and Burrs
3994-00 Multi-Purpose snaps press die and 3996-00 Line 24 Snaps
3997-00 Rivet Die and 3997-01 Wide Double Cap rivets press die
3992-00 Eyelets Press Die and 1286-12 Eyelets
3961-01 Craftool® Press Die Stamp Set and 3961-02 Craftool® Alphabet Stamp Holder
Hand Tools –
This video demonstrates how to use a variety of hand tools. The hardware supplies are listed above and the hand tool listed below. The tools can be purchased separately but Tandy also offers a Craftool® Pro Workshop Kit that has these parts and many more to complete a workshop.
8094-00 Eyelet Setter with Anvil
8108-10 Snap-All Setter Set
3300-04 Rawhide Mallet
8190-01 Craftool MiniHefty Handle
8131-00 3/4″ Craftool® Standard Alphabet Stamp Sets
Workshop Essentials
I have been a cobbler for a very long time. I repair everything from shoes to belts, bags and even saddles and bridals. I make custom goods as well as repair items for others. My workshop is extensive. I have several work benches and stations. I have used old-school tools as well as modern, time-saving tools. As a busy professional, I am always looking for ways to do what I do faster and safer on my hands and wrists. In this video I demonstrate the difference between hand tools and the more modern Craftool® Pro.
This DIY boot tutorial is sponsored by Tandy Leather.
Their mission is “To teach and inspire the art of leathercrafting, one person, one class, one neighborhood, one community at a time.” I’m inspired every time I open the catalog. I want to make so many projects. This project is one of my favorites and I am glad I can share my tips and tricks from years of experience.
I’m Teri Edmonds and I have been in the shoe industry for over 18 years. In this tutorial, I demonstrate the Plains Boot Moccasin from Tandy Leather. As a shoe designer, I have looked for simple patterns that I could do from home. I liked this pattern so much that I taught courses on it. I continue to make and sell the boots to my custom order clients. If you want to learn more about me, visit my About Page.
This course includes a beginner and an advanced boot. The beginning tutorial follows the instructions provided in the pattern pack. I adjust the hand stitching some and I prefer mine without the fringe. The advanced tutorial uses glue and machine stitching instead of hand stitching. I used my new Janome 3000 stitcher for the project. I have included a list of the supplies used in this video along with their part numbers for easy ordering.
SUPPLIES
Plains Boot Moccasin Pattern 6035-00
All Purpose Needles, 1201-00
White Wax Braided Chord 11210-05
Saddle Deertan Side 9124-21
Leather Marking Pen 2097-00
Poly Cutting Board 3464-00
Self-healing Cutting Mat 3463-04
Craftool Grid Ruler 3605-00
Janome HD 3000 sewing machine 3797-00
Large Rawhide Mallet 3300-04
Craftool #1 round hole drive punch
Hand Sewing Punch 3559-00
Craftool Pro Super Shears 3050-00
Easy Grip 60 mm Rotary Cutter 3039-00
Iʻve used Tandy Leather products since I started designing shoes.
I like ordering from the catalog, but you can find everything you need on their website at tandyleather.com
If The Shoe Fits
Maui, Hawaii
250 Alamaha St., unit N-7 Kahului, HI 96732 ( next to Goodwill )
YouTube is a great way to make money. In This video, YouTuber Teri tells the Why and How of using YouTube as a source of revenue. Hosted by Maui Economic Development Board at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the 3rd annual Hawaii Small Business Conference was the place to learn about using video marketing.
Jules Kremer of Google, Mike Powers of YouTube and YouTuber Edmonds discussed the accessibility of these free tools to the person looking to improve their business.
Self-Made Video MUST HAVEs:
We hear people call you The Shoe Lady. Tell us about your business If The Shoe Fits:
I’m a cobbler, an artist, a fashion designer and an entrepreneur; my passion is being an artist. I opened the If The Shoe Fits store in 2001 and bought Maui’s only shoe repair in 2008.
Amongst the designs I carried, there was a small selection for drag queens. It is this that made me famous for helping women with big feet. I have learned to make custom designs for my clients and it is how I express my creativity. I taught shoe making classes on the weekends to bring in extra money, but now I use that content to supply my YouTube Channel.
Why did you get started in video marketing and specifically YouTube?
I’ve always wanted my own show, specifically a “Cooking Show” for shoes concept. I’m inspired by Julia Child and her bold independence. The value she brought to her audience allowed her to succeed as she aged. When I looked into video marketing on YouTube, I saw others making money at it. The platform is free and gives me 100%control of my content. It has become free advertising for my store and custom designs.
How did you get started with YouTube?
I collaborated with other YouTubers. I first collaborated with Video Joe when he made a series of videos showing the workshop makeover of my cobbler studio. I saw Video Joe making money with his channel and it inspired me. I also collaborated with producer David Whitney on Mad Libs, The Secret Life of Shoes and a podcast called Yapping with Teri and Dave. I study other successful YouTubers like Think Media to learn better production skills, lighting, storyboarding and editing. My favorite studio equipment are my IPhone and the Ring Light. I also use the free editing software from Mac called IMovie.
What impact has YouTube had on your business?
YouTube has given my exposure both professionally and as an artist, locally and internationally. Sales have increased in shoe repair and custom designs. I have people sending me shoe repair from across the country because they see my videos. YouTube and affiliate marketing give me the opportunity to create passive, repeatable revenue with a single investment of time. I essentially make money while I sleep. I have created over 160 videos. The top 10 videos have acquired over a million views and my goal is to generate $2,000-$4,000 monthly revenue from YouTube
Birkenstock repairs can be done at home by following 5 easy steps. In this video, shoe cobbler Teri Edmonds reveals her tips and tricks to make a used Birkenstock look new again. The best results can be achieved using the supplies listed below. Enjoy!
Supplies Needed:
Step 1: Clean Uppers
Cleaning the uppers to the Birkenstocks is easy when using Lincoln EZ suede cleaner. Shake the bottle before opening and add 1/4 cup to a dish. Apply the cleaner with the suede brush and bring it to a lather. Wipe off excess with a dry towel or paper towel.
Step 2: Disassemble Shoe
Disassembling a Birkenstock can be easy or hard depending on the condition of the shoe and age of the glue between the cork and the soling material. If the glue is dry and old, it is likely the sole will come apart easily, as demonstrated in this video. Advanced sole removal instructions are provided in a video “Removing Birkenstock Soles” and a link has been included.
Step 3: Glue Upper to the Footbed
Using the original glue pattern as a guide, liberally apply contact cement to the strapping material of the Birkenstock. Next, apply the freshly glued strap to the sole where it will be fixed permanently. The glue should still be wet, but the objective is to establish a clean line where the glue is supposed to go. Wait 15 minutes and assemble the straps to the cork. This should be enough drying time to get a strong seal.
Step 4: Glue the Soling Material and Cork
Apply glue to both the cork footbed and the soling material and let dry for 20 minutes.
Step 5: Assemble and Trim
Once the glue has dried, the parts need to be assembled. Carefully aligning the sole to the cork footbed will make this project easier. Hammer these together and look around the edges to make sure the entire shoe is glued and sticking together.
Trim the excess sole using a sharp razor knife. Slow and safe is the key here. The closer the trim is to the shoe means that less finish sanding will be necessary.
High Heels are desirable to many women and also can be painful. In this video you will find the best tools and tips to make high heels as comfortable as possible. This video will help with high heels that are too big, too small, slippery on the sole, smelly, or just painful in regions in the foot. Shoe designer and cobbler Teri Edmonds has been specializing in high heels for 18 years and knows all the high heel hacks that work.
Favorite supplies:
High Heel Hack #1 – Buy Shoes That Fit
Feet are at their largest at the end of the day. Shop in the afternoon and skip on the shoe that really doesn’t fit.
High Heel Hack #2- Tight Shoes
The best way to stretch shoes is to use a shoe stretcher. If you find it necessary to stretch your heels frequently than owning your own shoe stretcher is a great solution. A professional cobbler will also have a large variety of tools to assist in the more complicated stretches and shouldn’t cost more than $20.
High Heel Hack #3 – Loose Shoes
Loose Shoes are tricky to fix. The best solution in the current market are Tip Toes by Footpetals. They are meant for the DIY client and are easy to install under the ball of the foot inside the shoe. All Footpetal products come with an adhesive backing that sticks well to shoes.
High Heel Hack #4 – Slippery Soles
Non-slip soling material can be added to the bottom of shoes to prevent slipping. A professional cobbler will add a non-slip half-sole that fits the entire surface of the front sole of the shoe. This is the recommended method if the shoe has a thin sole or is worth protecting. An over-the-counter version is available from the link above or from your local cobbler. It is a peel and stick version that covers the general surface of the front half sole.
High Heel Hack #5 – Walking on Grass
Sole Mates is a wide heel protector that slips over the base of a high heel. It slides on, needing no extra glue. They are available in Narrow, Classic and Wide
High Heel Hack #6 – Smelly Shoes
Hydrogen Peroxide is an all-natural shoe cleaner and will help keep smelly shoe odors at bay. Apply the peroxide with a rag or cotton ball and allow the shoe to dry. To add an additional layer of protection, use a shoe deodorizer, also available from our Amazon link above.
High Heel Hack #7 – Alleviating Pain
Well fitting shoes and a proper pedicure are the top two steps to alleviating pain. Footwear companies such as Footpetals and Soul Mates offer comfort pads and accessories to relieve a majority of the daily “rubs.”
