These little leather shoes are handmade by Lorri from Shu Shu.
I walked past her stall at Paddington Markets a couple of weeks ago and felt an almost irresistible urge to rub the soles of her small creations on my cheeks. And that’s because I’d bought almost exactly the same shoes from her in 1993 for Big Boy when he was learning to walk. The memories were so powerful that I found myself standing at her stall for ages, just holding the shoes in my hands.
I bought a pair for young Evan. They’re the only thing he keeps on now…
Lorri has a workshop in Summer Hill and we both drink at Marty’s bar. How cool is that?
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Also at the markets were these gorgeous steampunk owls created by Juan and Olivia of Time Flies Designs. You might remember that I bought Pete’s birthday present from them a few weeks ago (photo below from their website)…
I’m really happy to support such a nice young couple, so I bought two of their owls ($30 each) for upcoming birthday gifts. Each one has a pewter body and slightly different eyes made from antique watch parts. I think their goal of upcycling beautiful but broken old things into beautiful new things is worth supporting, and I love their aesthetic.
There are a couple of owls for sale on their website, but if you’re interested, give Juan a call as he has many more designs available and can probably send you photos of them…
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It’s a busy time of year here, and the weather is cold and miserable. Still, I’m meeting up with friends tomorrow, which will be huge fun! What do you have planned for the weekend?
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
The little shoes are so sweet. And the upcycle of the watches is brilliant. I have an antique ladies’ pocket watch I’m trying to sell, I wonder if they are interested? I will contact them through their website. We are flying to Adelaide this weekend, so my next post will probably be from ‘the road’ or about the road. We are visiting Broken Hill and Mildura, neither of which we have seen before. Friends brighten even the coldest and gloomiest of days, so enjoy!!
Those shoes are beautious! and the Owls are so clever! Love Steam Punk stuff.
So nice to see Juan again but now he has a rival fr gorgeousness, young Evan. What a cute little doll in his soft hand made shoes.
The owl jewellery is pretty unusual and lovely.
How very nice to “see” you, Fra!! :)
Hahha!!! Yep, I’m out!
The shoes are adorable! I have made similar shoes in various sizes. Do you know what type of leather she uses?
Manuela, I *think* it’s cow leather, but a split hide. Can you get bison leather where you are? :)
Yes I can! Lol! I usually use deer, moose, or elk though. Bison leather’s sooo thick!
Hahaha…I hope Lorri reads this comment! I bet she’s not getting deer, moose or elk leather! :) Hey love, are you near Wolf Mountain? That was on Top Gear the other night, and I thought of you!
Wolf Mountain is near Trail, BC. Pink Mountain is approx. 1,400 km north of Trail…or an approx. 16-17 hour drive by car. So it’s not too close by. Lol! But still within the same province. I think of you often as well! Enjoy your weekend!
Wow. BC is *seriously* huge!
I used to make the shoes with Lorri, and we used whatever interesting pieces we could find – but mostly pig split or cow hide cut thin. Leather for the uppers and suede for the soles. Occasionally kangaroo or sheep. The wholesaler sometimes got in a load of bits and pieces from Italy. Lorri was the imaginative one!
I just noticed your comment. I would love to have scraps of different leathers to play with! Lol. Cow and pig leather are very common here as well. Kangaroo leather sounds very interesting. Is it very soft?
Very cold, wet and grey here too, Celia, but I’m not complaining. It justifies my preference for lounge-lolling with my book or baking and eating.
That needs no justification, lovely! :)
Celia, after your previous post about “Times Flys” I purchased the most gorgeous piece from their wind up collection. I am just thrilled with it, it is perfect and Juan was so nice and helpful. I really recommend this unique business. So thank you for mentioning them.
I think being part of the “Foodie” Community, even just by reading blogs is a pretty wonderful thing, you mention you cooked a goose, I mention where I source mine. You promote a small business, I make a purchase. I think it is all about caring and sharing and trying to help each other if we can, and isn’t that the whole thing about food, when we create and cook a meal it is an expression of our love and caring for others… Carolyn
Carolyn, and of course, I went in and bought a goose from Melinda, and told her you’d recommended me!! :) Thanks for supporting Juan and Olivia, they really are the nicest young couple. They’re going to be at the Brewer’s Yard markets at Central Park this Sunday if you wanted to pop in and say hi! :)
How wonderful you could buy the same leather shoes as you did 1993, that’s the staying power of a good product.
Delightful owls :) I love the way you give a shout out, I do it too, just because it’s a good thing to do.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow too :)
Squeeee! What gorgeous little shoes! I must keep my eye out for something similar for Jimmy as he has decided he would like to stand now (at seven months!) so walking won’t be too far away.
Those owls are gorgeous. I have so much I want to do when I’m next in Sydney… Which won’t be for ages I suspect, but I shall have fun compiling a list :)
Lots of gorgeousness today Celia! Love those little booties (I want some for myself!) and as for those owls – fab :) We’re off to a Festival of Fish (where there will be much eating done tomorrow) and Sunday is Father’s Day so if my dad is up to it, we’re off out for lunch with him and my mum. Looking forward to it all! Enjoy your weekend hun x
I remember those shoes from long, long ago. I had no idea the business was still going strong. They are the best new-walker shoes. Loving the owls! xx
Charlie, you would have had Archie in them, I’m sure! Lorri used to sell them at the Mosman markets as well back then! Enjoy Bali hon, loving the photos! :)
Those little shoes are adorable! And they do look soft enough for cheeks too. We are having a wine and cheese night on our back deck with friends this weekend as it would seem summer has finally arrived for us here in CO. Have a great weekend with friends! :)
Judy, how lovely the sun is shining for you. So….no bears in your backyard at the moment? :)
Ha, no bears as yet, though the trash has been knocked over so we know they are here. :)
Those baby shoes are so sweet. What a nice little tradition. The owls are really interesting too!
Mary, those shoes made me weepy – they brought back so many memories! Seeing little Evan in them is sheer joy! :)
Such creativity! (The lil’ fellow, too — looks like he’s figuring out what to do with whatever’s in his hands — so cute!) I can see why those shop owners were awarded “best presented stall in the market” — their clockwork creations are stunning and their displays look intriguing. I can also see why you fell in love with those tiny shoes all over again, xo.
Kim, I think he’s just discovered his fingers! Juan and Olivia will be so pleased that you commented on their displays – they build them from scratch! Lots of love to you, my very dear friend.. xxx
Such gorgeous little feet in gorgeous little shoes :)
I know, he’s just too cute, isn’t he! :)
The boy graduated from high school yesterday so we are recovering from that and Father’s Day is Sunday so I’ll be cooking a nice brunch. Those tiny shoes are making me weepy, must be because they grow up so fast. Hugs, Maz.
Maz, my Big Boy is now 22. Sometimes it feels like he’s more grown up than I am! :)
Hot and humid here! The boys and I head home from the mountains tomorrow in time to celebrate Father’s Day. Guess that means planning a meal and shopping and cooking and baking…… Love those leather shoes. Our boys all had similar shoes when they were small. Seems so long ago, especially since they all have HUGE feet!
Gretchen, you’ve got fast growing boys, it probably costs you a fortune in shoes! I remember when I had to buy new school shoes twice a year because their feet were growing so fast!
Love those little shoes Celia, have a lovely weekend and stay warm x
Thanks lovely. The weather has been quite pleasant last few days, hope you’ve been enjoying some sunshine as well.
Those owls are absolutely beautiful. I’m all for supporting small businesses and creative people. Hope you and all your readers have a lovely weekend. I will be spending mine studying for exams that are this coming week. With a brain that has gone missing( thank you menopause) l’m not feeling positive about them:)
Jo, how did you go? I’m sorry I didn’t get to this comment in time to wish you good luck!!
Thanks for the good luck. I need it. The 1st exam was today and l did not do well. My memory is shocking at the moment(thanks very much menopause). Another one tomorrow:)
Oh aren’t they the cutest little shoes. Lovely to see people making lovely things and recycling celia
Tania, it’s just so nice to see things not going to waste, isn’t it?
I love the owls Celia, and those shoes are cute too.
It’s not very warm today in the UK so I am planning a lazy day! (Any excuse after a very busy week)
Kim, I hope it was a very restful weekend for you! AND that the sun decides to shine a bit more brightly!
Those little owls are sensational! Aren’t people clever? And good on you for spreading the word about their work.
Anne, thank you! They really are the nicest people, and I think their creations are genius and very appealing. A lot of steampunk jewellery is very industrial, but Juan’s pieces feel like art.
I love those shoes. I wouldn’t wear anything else if I had a choice either. The owls are so clever!
Maureen, you and me both. I want to pad around the house in little leather moccasins. I wonder if Lorri would make me an adult sized pair? :)
You have great taste for spotting excellent craftsmanship Celia. The owls are beautiful.
Sally, you’re very kind. The owls are so clever – each one has a different eyes and therefore a different face and personality!
I can feel the softness of those little baby shoes. I’m just getting so many ideas every time you post something by Juan & Olivia.
Sorry that you’re getting the cold now – we’re in our crazy up & down summer days. One day is stifling hot & the next I’m wearing long pants & long sleeved shirts.
Diane, it’s not too cold really – I don’t think it’s right to ever complain about a Sydney winter to someone from Boston! :)
Aw, Celia, you can complain. It’s just when we get more than our fair share that I have a hard time.
So love the owls..really cool.:)
The owls are super. Always been attracted to owls. I am originally from Leeds in West Yorkshire, England and the owl is a Leeds symbol. How cool are they? Super! ☺