Bernie and His Friends
Shoes can be so much more than clothing, they can be works of art with their own personalities!
Melissa Ziegenhorn creates fun and beautiful pieces for both fun and gifts.
1. She says she starts shopping at her local thrift store for a shoe that stands out and has a personality she can work with, "i.e. a certain shape shoe or a shoes that sparks the creative juices".
2. After she's found one that stands out, she prepares the shoes with a base of gesso and then paints "leaning more towards a mixture gray and black with a speck or two of white to even the balance... as many layers as it takes to 'solidify' the suede [or patent leather] so it won't suck up valueable paint".
3. She says, "My extensive glitter collection is consulted and sometimes I mix several colors together. I use Liquitex high gloss varnish to mix and apply the poly glitter with. Craft seems to like mod lodge better. I like the Liquitex much better because it goes on better and the high gloss is awesome."
4. With extensive research into embellishments and mechanisms that might be applied, she buys the necessary supplies from local craft store and starts adding them with glue.
Melissa Ziegenhorn creates fun and beautiful pieces for both fun and gifts.
1. She says she starts shopping at her local thrift store for a shoe that stands out and has a personality she can work with, "i.e. a certain shape shoe or a shoes that sparks the creative juices".
2. After she's found one that stands out, she prepares the shoes with a base of gesso and then paints "leaning more towards a mixture gray and black with a speck or two of white to even the balance... as many layers as it takes to 'solidify' the suede [or patent leather] so it won't suck up valueable paint".
3. She says, "My extensive glitter collection is consulted and sometimes I mix several colors together. I use Liquitex high gloss varnish to mix and apply the poly glitter with. Craft seems to like mod lodge better. I like the Liquitex much better because it goes on better and the high gloss is awesome."
4. With extensive research into embellishments and mechanisms that might be applied, she buys the necessary supplies from local craft store and starts adding them with glue.
Quick Tip
"Yes I glued my fingers more than once. Vineger breaks the bond and baking soda gets the glue off. Don't use vinegar with gorilla glue
it will turn your hand purple. Unless that is ok with you."
"Yes I glued my fingers more than once. Vineger breaks the bond and baking soda gets the glue off. Don't use vinegar with gorilla glue
it will turn your hand purple. Unless that is ok with you."
5. Once all dry, more than not she will add more embellishments until it is over the top and then add more glitter.
"My poor dog and house turn into the color of glitter I am using. so it is not that big of a surprise on the color. Each shoe has a name. I wish there was a way to shoe you all of the shoes I made. I am not just saying I love glitter because of this. I really love glitter. I have more than any person should have. I will gladly give you the number to my family . There is so much glitter when my parents come over they pick up glitter and brings it to their house and gets infused over there. I get a pone call from my mom about glitter in her oatmeal. I do love when my dog sparkles when she goes outside. I hope you like the shoes. if you would like to see more please let me know. Oh, I forgot....Once the shoes are done they receive a unique name according to their personality. I am sorry to see them go when they are presents to others. I cried when I had to give up Bernie. He went to a good home (he was a wedding present). I love being creative. Its a passion. " -Melissa
Thank you Melissa! We look forward to more tutorials and projects from you.