These Boots Were Made For Gawking

6/28/2018

Ever since I first saw the Wonderful Wizard of Oz at age four, I've coveted ruby red slippers.

Was it because footwear had the power to take a little girl wherever she needed to go or that they sparkled so bewitchingly? A longing for glitter and magic permanently hardwired my psyche.

When I was old enough to read the book for myself, I was shocked to learn that Dorothy's slippers were not red at all, but silver!

When MGM released the movie in 1939, Dorothy's silver slippers were scrapped for ruby red pumps in order to take advantage of the new Technicolor film process. (I never understood the bobby socks–– to glamor viewers into accepting a mature sixteen year-old Judy Garland as an eleven year old farm-girl, I suppose.)

Thus, film trivia taught me a valuable lesson on the importance placed on appearances––not to mention disregarding truth to favor a particular agenda.

But I digress.

For a long time now, I've wanted ruby sequined high top sneakers.

Some years back, I found them on e-bay. The online photo looked great but, the real thing was disappointing. Instead of sequins being integrated into the canvas (as the photo seemed to suggest) sparkly fabric had been hot-glued to a red shoe. The fabric fell off after the first wearing. But I saved the shoes...

And, one day when my Muse couldn't concoct something better for me to do, I got out my multi-colored rhinestones

And I pulled out my fabric paints ...

And I began the slow, tedious process ...

... I now appreciate why Judith Leiber's evening bags are so darned expensive.

They turned out magically, don't you think?

And, of course, I made a ruby red pair too!

15 Comments

Rod Butler

6/29/2018 09:22:26 am

Wow, these are so cool! Magical, musical, and crazy but very well executed, they look perfect! How long for a yellow-sparkled road? ;0)

Caren

7/1/2018 07:45:01 pm

Hey my brilliant and talented Bumbler! An entire yellow-sparkled road seems a bit ambitious. I'll focus on filling potholes.

Shelley

6/29/2018 12:47:19 pm

Super cool! Leiber's got nothin' on you! The brand of course, since she passed away in April.

7/1/2018 07:51:35 pm

Ah. A brand of my own. Does me backing into a red hot poker count?

Sheila Finch link

6/29/2018 01:28:37 pm

Those are gorgeous!!! You never cease to amaze... is there anything you CAN'T make into a beautiful work of art??!

7/1/2018 07:59:04 pm

There was that display I tried to make when I was 23––using paper plates, p.v.c. pipe, and fishing tackle––I've learned SO much since then!

Linda

6/29/2018 01:48:22 pm

As someone who loves sparkly things and Converse sneakers (along with all cute shoes, an obsession actually), all I can say is woweeeeeee!

7/1/2018 07:46:38 pm

Sounds like we need to go shoe shopping! As long as you aren't a size 8.

Maggie Koenig Englund

6/29/2018 03:25:07 pm

Wowzer! Wonderfully whimsical.

7/1/2018 08:00:00 pm

Thanks MS. Mags! Undisputed Queen of the Mosaic Mural!

amanda starr

6/30/2018 03:11:54 pm

love these!! so great!

7/1/2018 07:49:57 pm

Almost as cool as the shoes Dustin got you!

Laura

7/1/2018 07:36:16 pm

Only You Caren can take the ordinary to Extraordinary! Dazzling! 😻

7/1/2018 07:48:36 pm

So grateful for your kind words. Thanks, Laura.

Wendy watson

7/4/2018 04:19:56 pm

Those stone-spangled converse shoes are STUNNING. Have you worn them where others could see them and swoon??? I want to see a picture of you in them. PLEASE.

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These Boots Were Made For Gawking

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