The delayed spring cleaning is finally getting done, the wardrobe is being sorted, or the balcony is being planted: everyone has their own rituals for welcoming the long-awaited summer. Here at the Sandalenwerkstatt, 5 participants decided to prepare for the warm days in a very special way.
In our 5-day block course Norihiko taught participants how he crafts high-quality, long-lasting leather sandals. Each production step was guided individually, with hands-on support — gratefully received by participants like Hans van Schalk. The 51-year-old had "worked with wood and other materials before, but never with leather." He is not alone in this. Many of our workshop visitors have very little to no experience with this admittedly demanding material. Even our long-time customers and returning participants still feel uncertain when cutting leather or working with the machines.
Considering that practising our craft does not reflect the everyday reality of most people, these uncertainties when working with leather are entirely understandable. Unlike our participants, the craftsmen at the Sandalenwerkstatt have been practising their trade for up to 30 years. During that time, they have gathered valuable experience and learned from mistakes. Our goal is therefore to create a welcoming, judgement-free space where we can pass on the knowledge we have accumulated over the years and decades. Hans was impressed "that you start with a footprint and build an entire shoe from there."
