"After speaking with Amanda, I booked in for 2 days of one to one tuition which focused on the design, fitting and creating the uppers of a pair of cowboy boots followed by 3 days of group tuition, making a pair of derby shoes. What a fantastic week! I was pretty nervous about it all but Amanda and Kate quickly put me at my ease and made every step seem do-able, with lots of support and endless encouragement. There are lots of different steps and new skills to learn and information to take in, but the days are very well structured and Amanda and Kate very organised in their approach. They are highly skilled in what they do, in both shoemaking and teaching and as a result, I felt I achieved more in the week than I had dared hoped I would. Safety was paramount too, with clear guidance given regarding throughout the week re the use of tools such as the heat gun etc and the various glues involved in the shoe making process. Selecting the right leather for our shoes was just like being a child in a sweety shop, so much fun! Great selection and invaluable to see and feel the different leathers available, to help choose the right one for our projects. The I Can Make Shoes studio is a joy to work in, housed in a lovely old converted factory with a very handy cafe and great transport links. I stayed in nearby Shoreditch, near Spittalfields Market and had the best week, loved it! The one to one tuition is ideal if you have a specific interest or skill you want help with and the 3 day course is suitable for both absolute beginners but also those who want to refine their skills. Very sociable and enjoyable few days and would highly recommend!"

Sandra

"What a great 3-day workshop with a clear and structured approach. Support and guidance from Amanda and Katie made the shoemaking project achievable! It was really useful to learn new techniques and about materials that are accessible for hand shoemaking. Now I have a new pair of shoes to add to my collection!"

Julie

"Genuinely the best handcrafting course I've done in my life! (And I've done a lot.) Amanda and Kate are beautiful, kind, patient people with so much knowledge and skill. I'm supremely grateful that this course exists and that these talented shoemakers want to pass their skills on. I wish I could come and make shoes with them every month. The course isn't cheap, but the materials and guidance are more than worth the cost. I hope to come back for a bag making workshop soon (and I'm also hoping for a course delivered in Australia...)"

Anna

"Absolutely fantastic workshop on shoe making! Highly recommend it! The team are super knowledgable and kind, able to explain difficult techniquies in simple words, it was a great welcoming atmosphere and the results are even better!"

Dani