Besides being with my family, the highlight of this infernal summer was sandal making. Before my social media fast, I saw an announcement on the always inspiring Fancy Tiger Crafts for an online sandal making workshop with Stace Fulwiler. I tried to sign up but it was full, so I signed up for her July workshop. When I say that it was the highlight of my summer, I mean it! It is so grounding to work with the sensual qualities of leather–similar to clay it is supple and surrenders easily; it submits to the hands of the maker and doesn’t fight back. Stace is such a generous and gracious teacher! It was wonderful to be on Zoom making with a bunch of women around the country. She supplied all of us with the materials in her kit. In four and a half hours we made magic. I highly recommend her workshops!

-Carrie B.

Thank you for an AWESOME class! Feels like a whole new world of creating has been opened up!

-Chrystina H.

I had the pleasure of taking an in-person workshop with Stace Fulwiler at Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver CO in August 2019. It was an amazing experience and everyone in the workshop left with a unique pair of sandals (in the style, color, and fit). I adore the bespoke espresso brown leather woven slides I made. I was so excited to learn that Stace was launching virtual workshops this spring as a new format for teaching the art of sandal making. I immediately signed up for the first virtual workshop on March 28th and encouraged two friends to join me. I made the Space Lady design and my two friends made variations on the two strap sandal (with and without a backstrap). We each chose different colors/types of leather and sizes/widths to best fit our feet. The workshop had participants from all over the US; everyone was enthusiastic to learn the art of sandal making. Stace walked us through the process of cutting, shaping, fitting, gluing, and customizing our shoes. Everyone received group and individual instruction during the virtual workshop; Stace shared tips and techniques for creating a perfect fit for each sandal style. For considerably less than what you would pay for a pair of quality sandals in a retail store -- Stace's workshops enable you to create shoes that are truly one-of-a-kind in style and fit! I cannot wait to make more sandals with Stace! What are you waiting for!? Sign up now!

-Mary P.

Thank you for the incredible skills you taught me. Being confined (in quarantine) is really hard for me but I have all of the simple tools I need to make sandals, so I did just that over the weekend. I created a pattern...it took me a dozen sheets of paper....and I even busted out the belt sander and successfully finished them. I would never have thought that I could do something like this. You have a gift and I wanted to thank you for sharing it.

-Rosanna W.

Stace is a wonderful instructor and I will take her class again. I love to learn new skills and create. And I really love shoes, and not every woman can say.....oh these sandals....I made them myself.

-Lisa K.

I made sandals yesterday! Thanks for hosting such a wonderful workshop. If you’re in the Bay Area and have been curious to give sandal making a try, Stace is a fantastic instructor. Everyone’s sandals turned out truly great, and we were all done in about 4 hours. The method Stace teaches is easy to repeat at home (with the addition of a few tools) and she gave us tons of great ideas for styles to try….

-Ebony H.

Thanks Stace for being my sandal guru and for the beyond fun afternoon spent designing and creating

-Antonia P.

Making a pair of shoes was definitely a new experience for me and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The class flowed well, instructions were clear and Stacey was always available to assist when needed. I am so happy that I signed up for this workshop. I absolutely love my new pair of sandals! I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great experience, fun workshop and a new and amazing pair of sandals to sign up for this workshop!

-Melissa R.

I really enjoyed the flow, it was the perfect amount of movement, momentum, and I LOVED that we did not need to sit down at all, we were making and moving and needed zero prep work, just show up, listen, watch, make and walk home in a rad new pair of ALL LEATHER sandals . The knowledge, the hands-on experience and the vibe were more than worth it. I also appreciated how free we could be with our ideas, and that Stace was so encouraging of going with our inspiration. I'd definitely love to take another class.... (My four year old wants to make a pair of course!) Even strangers were complimenting me on my shoes! I loved being able to say: thanks! I made them! I literally walked home in my new sandals, and have had so many complements on them (of course I wore them all day today, the very next day, and even walked to dinner after class in them, they are super comfortable....of course we got to custom shape the soles, the leather, and even sculpt the outline of the sole on the belt sander) Most of all, I loved that we went from start to finish with zero experience necessary. I hate having a class project started but not finished, left on my own, I'll never complete it... So thanks so much! You made it super easy to ask any question at any time, and the class size was perfect, not too big to get one on one attention and help.

-Trisha R.

Thank you so much for the sandal making lesson. Taking your class was the best way that I have spent a Saturday since I can’t remember when. And I LOVE my sandals. 30 minutes in—they have softened perfectly and are more comfortable than any pair of sandals or shoes in my whole closet. Hooray!!

-Stefanie D.

Thank you for a Super fun class! I had sooo much fun and still talking about a terrific time I had in the sandal making class; also Thanks to Stephen, at Make Smith for making it possible and for both of you being such nice hosts to spend the day with!! Today, I woke up excited about all the possibilities about sandals, leather making, and so many skills to build upon. I look forward to keep learning and taking future classes. Thank for providing the opportunity to learn about the craft- it's more fun than college courses!

-Lori M.

Had a great time and felt like i came home with something that actually looks like a sandal!! You’re a terrific teacher, very instructive but made it fun as well.

-Mary P.

Thank you! This was such a fun and informative class! Stace is such a knowledgeable and patient teacher.

-Karen N.

I had so much fun in your class. I want everyone to experience it! I'm going to recommend it to my friends.

-Se Sook D.

I’m so glad I signed up for Stace’s workshop! I forgot how great it feels to actually finish a project in one day, and I can’t believe I was able to make my own shoes, something I’ve been wanting to do forever. Thank you Stace I had so much fun and I really appreciate your patience and problem-solving skills!

- Constance H.

Thank you for such a great class. I’m so proud of my sandals. They fit beautifully and I can hardly believe I made them!

-Kim F.

I highly recommend sandal making with Stace, my sandals turned out just the way I wanted and they are already so comfortable. I hope to take this workshop again when Stace comes back to the Bay Area.

-Katherine W.

Sandal Making Workshop Testimonials