Tutorial: Don't get mad, get creative!

Hello readers!

 I had my engagement party on Saturday and despite all the stress that came with it it was a fantastic night. One thing I was fixated on however was how I looked on the night. A bit shallow, yes, but I felt that I'd spent so much time wanting it to be a good night for my guests that I forgot to spend time on how I'd feel.

 I had a fantastic dress from Vivien of Holloway and it made me feel just wonderful (once my Grandma altered it a little, it was a bit too big in the chest!). However when it came to shoes it was something I'd left to the last minute. The ones I ordered weren't going to arrive in time and it upset me more than it should have, but with how stressed I was I could kind of justify it. Anyway, I thought rather than stewing I'd channel my energy into something a bit more creative and take matters into my own hands. Customising shoes is much easier than I thought it would be, so here's a short guide on how you can make your own patriarchy-kicking, wonderful shoes:

You will need:

• An old pair of shoes, either some you already own or a pair from a charity shop
• Spray paint - any colour you like, I went for red.
• A spray on varnish, I went for satin finish varnish for that shiny look.
• Masking tape, and lots of.
• Cotton buds
• Glue
• Newspaper
• Ribbon, buckles, ribbons etc - all optional but however you want to pretty them up.

                                               

 These are the shoes I started off with, I'd gotten them when I was sixteen for a party and they've been my go-to pair ever since but over the years they've gotten battered, scuffed, scratched and kind of lost their mojo, so I thought they were due for some TLC.

 Masking tape over all of the bits you don't want painting. I wanted them red but thought doing the whole thing would be a bit too much. Be sure to use lots and that it's firmly stuck to the shoes, I found when I peeled it off that little bits of paint had leaked under the tape but it was easy enough to clean off with a baby wipe as it stayed damp under the tape.

 Be sure to spray them outside or in a well-ventilated area. You don't want to get it on your furniture or on your pets! I got a few strange looks from my neighbours while wearing a scarf over my face (if you're asthmatic too or generally have a bad chest I'd recommend doing the same, or getting somebody else to spray them for you) and holding a can of spray paint in the back yard. My landlord still hasn't seen the two big red patches on the ground out there yet... So even if you're doing it outside it might be best to put newspaper down.

 Stormageddon wouldn't really suit being red, he'd clash with his viv interior.

 Leave them to dry for an hour or so, I left mine in the bathroom with the window wide open, just with it being a shared yard and I didn't want any flies or anything getting stuck to them. Once the first coat has dried spray on a second (again in a well-ventilated area/outside). Some patches may have appeared if the material isn't very porous but they should get covered up with the second coat. Leave to dry once again, it may take a little longer this time. Once they're okay to pick up check for any little patches that don't warrant spraying the whole thing but are still noticeable, if there are any then spray some paint into the top of the lid and fill in these patches with a cotton bud.

 Lookin' good! Recycling old papers at the same time.

 Once they paint is totally dry take them outside and spray the varnish if you're using any, it gives a nice finish to them. The varnish takes a little longer to do so make yourself a cuppa, watch some telly, perhaps do like I did and do those bits of DIY you've been meaning to get round to! Depending on the brand/type it may even be best to leave them overnight.

 When you're happy that the varnish is dry and you want to go ahead with dolling them up then prepare the bits you want to go on. I made straps out of faux-leather ribbon and buckles that you can find in any haberdashery department/shop and used some ribbon as a trim. I'm not great in heels to the straps really made all the difference for me, I felt much more secure. Superglue holds the straps well but I found that it took the paint away with the ribbon so if you can find anything more suitable please leave a comment!

 And voilà! Complete, comfy and gorgeous.

 I'd also like to say a big thank you to my lovely sister-out-law for giving me the idea to customise my own shoes after I got these beauties from her for Christmas.

 Yes, they are Doctor Who shoes ;)

Happy shoe making!

Update: The shoes in action!!

...Best not to ask