How to make cheap, awesome, and easy custom shoes for any occasion

Offbeat Bride featured a pair of comic book shoes. I looked at them and thought to myself “Oh.” Two days later, I had my first pair. A week or so later, I have 12. Oops.

It's amazing because you can do this for literally any occasion. I've made Shakespeare shoes (from the actual script) for my opening night of Titus Andronicus, I've printed off interesting patterns for holidays, I've torn apart magazines and newspapers — seriously: you can do this with ANYTHING.

Anyway, here's the low down on how to create your own custom shoes for nearly free.

Step One:
Procure a pair of shoes with a fairly smooth surface. I bought the black patent pair you see in the photos for $1.50 at Salvation Army, but if you're skeeved out by used shoes, I understand. (I always clean mine out before I wear them).

Step Two:
Procure some art. What I love about this project is the limitless potential it has. Think creatively. I printed off some clip art for my first pair (seen in the picture) because I was hesitant about cutting up a comic book until I knew it would work), but you can use any sort of thin print media.

Simply cut whatever it is you want to rock out of whatever source you choose to get it from and you're good to go.

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Step Three:
Procure some Mod Podge and a brush. (Side note, make sure your brush is clean. I didn't, so if you look carefully, the “Bam” is a little grungy looking.)

Apply Mod Podge to BACK of your paper/newsprint/art/whatever and let it soak in just enough to be flexible. Stick onto your shoe.

Step Four:
Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge across the top to seal. For rain/waterproofing, spray with a clear lacquer, available from your friendly neighborhood hardware store. (Or don't wear paper covered shoes in the rain. Either/or. )

Trim around the edges of your shoe if you have any bits sticking over the edge.

Step Five:
ROCK.

Guest Post By: Catie Osborn

http://catieosborn.com

Catie Osborn is a trained Shakespearean actress and is therefore broke. She spends her time writing, crafting and working for a non-profit theatre company in the midwest. She has a blog. It's somewhat interesting. She has blue hair. This attracts more attention, as she carefully blends her dye to match The Doctor's Police Box. At some point, she will become an Offbeat Bride, but until then, she contentedly spends her days designing wedding invitations and working as a wedding coordinator for other offbeat friends and fellows.