Category: News

  • All shoes are figureoutable, by René van den Berg

    All shoes are figureoutable, by René van den Berg

    A review of 30 years of shoe making On February 20. 2024, I was very honored to host a presentation by René van den Berg at my shop in Union Station. René shared photos, shoes, patterns, uppers, and books on his work. He spoke about his process of making patterns, how his career developed, personal…

  • 3D Talk at NW Material Show

    3D Talk at NW Material Show

    On January 31 from 1 – 2pm and on February 1 from 11:00 – noon, I gave presentations on 3D technologies in fitting custom footwear. Thank you to everyone who attended! The OCC AV technical team could not get the video working and we had to reschedule for 1pm. So sorry for the inconvenience all…

  • 3D technologies in fitting footwear: Perspectives from a custom shoe maker

    3D technologies in fitting footwear: Perspectives from a custom shoe maker

    A free talk as part of the NW Materials Show January 31 from 11:00am – noon. This presentation is about the experience of using various 3D scanning technologies and CAD programs to visualize the fit of custom shoes. Jeff Mandel will discuss how scans of feet can be compared with models of lasts in an…

  • RACC Make|Learn|Build 2021-22

    RACC Make|Learn|Build 2021-22

    Since I started learning to make shoes in 2004, there has always been talk of the promise of 3D imaging – the scanning of feet – and how this would greatly simplify the work of making shoes, mainly by facilitating quick and easy last customization. The idea was that a scan of a foot could…

  • Strobel sew by hand

    Strobel sew by hand

    If you’ve ever wanted to sew your uppers for sneakers like the pros, but don’t have access to a Strobel sewing machine, don’t give up. Sew your kicks by hand! How to hand sew “Strobel” construction. What exactly is a strobel stitch? Strobel sewing the insole to the upper is actually a chain stitch. In…

  • Orthopedic Boots

    Orthopedic Boots

    My first pair of 100% orthopedic shoes. I’m not an orthopedic shoemaker, but many of the shoemakers I studied from in the Netherlands are. Why call these orthopedic? I’ve made lots of shoes for people who wear “orthotic inserts.” These boots different. They are a textbook case of how to handle hallux valgus – your…

  • Scan 0

    Scan 0

    This is a picture of my first usable 3D scan of a last displayed on my “Mac” using Meshlab. This is a mini progress report of sorts. Back in July, I received a Make|Learn|Build grant from the Oregon Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) to explore the ways in which 3D technology might appropriately fit…

  • Experimenting with Vacuum Resin Infusion and Basalt Fiber

    Experimenting with Vacuum Resin Infusion and Basalt Fiber

    During this time of pandemic and business closure, when I’ve been unable meet with clients as usual, and trapped inside due to fire and smoke, I have explored some techniques for using new materials to make composite shoe parts. I’m working with basalt fiber and epoxy. Above are my initial trials and some details on…

  • Lis Royal – Rocinante – Cordovan Derby

    Lis Royal – Rocinante – Cordovan Derby

    I was given a sample cordovan shell from a tannery in Argentina called Lis Royal. The line of cordovan leather is called Rocinante the color is “Dark Brown.” It is a lovely dark brown. I’ve written about cordovan before, but this sample was my first opportunity to make a pair of cordovan shoes for myself.

  • ¡Que Tiempo Aquel – What a time that was!

    ¡Que Tiempo Aquel – What a time that was!

    Movement, Clothing, and Shoes in Early Tango. Presentation in two parts by Manda Levie, Master of Dress and Textile Histories, University of Glasgow and Jeff Mandel, Shoemaker. A free seminar as part of the Valentango 2020 tango festival. Date: Saturday February 15Time: 5:00-6:30pmLocation: Alaska Room, DoubleTree Hotel, Portland Beginning with an overview of women’s fashion…

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