Introducing sandals and lace-ups, perfect for spring and summer!

Available now in our online shop, or visit us anytime at 1301 Main Street.

Workshops for April & May

To register or with any questions, hello@smarterthanagoldfish.com or feel free to call 513 910 8845.

Natural Dye Workshop using food waste from Collective Espresso and A Tavola Pizza

Saturday, April 13^th

2-4pm

$35 includes all materials

A hands-on workshop covering the basics of natural dyes, as well as simple resist dye techniques. We’ve partnered with lovely neighborhood businesses to utilize food waste from Collective Espresso and A Tavola Pizza for our dye baths.

You’ll learn how to mordant materials, concoct a dye bath, and gather your own natural dyestuff in the coming warm weather months. You may dye either an organic cotton tote bag or material for a pair of shoes. (Place an order for the pair of your choice, or take one of the following shoe making workshops!)

Your material will need to soak overnight, and will be available for pick-up the following day. All skill levels welcome. 

Boat Shoe Making

Wednesday, April 17th

6-8:30pm

-or-

Saturday, May 11^th

1-3:30pm

-or-

Grab two friends and pick your own date!

$225 covers all supplies & the cost of your pair of shoes


The workshop will be a mixture of hands-on and demonstration, covering material selection and pattern placement, marking and cutting, outsole molding, trimming and sewing, hand lock stitching and other footwear construction techniques. You’ll leave with your very own pair of Klein Cutlery scissors, and a small bag you complete while learning and practicing hand lock stitching.


Your shoes will then be finished and ready for you to pick up two weeks later.

Shoes can be made in women’s sizes 7–11+ & men’s sizes 8-13.


All skill levels welcome.


Coptic Stitch Bookbinding 

Saturday, April 20^th

$35 includes all materials

2-3:30pm

In this workshop you’ll learn how to sew a sketchbook or journal, using the coptic bookbinding technique which allows the book to lay completely flat when open. You’ll leave with your new book and a few essential tools and resources for binding books on your own. All skill levels welcome. 

Lace-up Shoe Making

Sunday, May 5^th

1-3:30pm

-or-

Tuesday, May 21th

6-8:30pm

-or-

Grab two friends and pick your own date!

$265 covers all supplies & the cost of your pair of shoes


The workshop will be a mixture of hands-on and demonstration, covering material selection and pattern placement, marking and cutting, outsole molding, trimming and sewing, hand blanket stitching and other footwear construction techniques. You’ll leave with your very own pair of Klein Cutlery scissors, and a small bag you complete while learning and practicing hand blanket stitching.


Your shoes will then be finished and ready for you to pick up two weeks later.

Shoes can be made in women’s sizes 7–11+ & men’s sizes 8-13.


All skill levels welcome.


 

Thank you so so much for a great 2012! We’re back to normal winter hours, and really looking forward to 2013!

Hope everyone is enjoying time with family and friends! We’ll be back in the shop today from 12-4, and winter hours start tomorrow:

Tuesday-Friday 12-6

Saturday 11-6

closed Sundays & Mondays

Our new online shop is up, and we would love for you to take a look.
Please visit smartfishfootwear.bigcartel.com. 

We’ve included gift certificates in the shop as well, and think it’s the perfect way to spread holiday cheer.

Wishing everyone a very lovely season!

Our next two workshops:

To register, or with any questions, hello@smarterthanagoldfish.com or feel free to call 513 910 8845. 

Boat Shoe Making, December 2nd

12pm - 4pm


$225 covers all supplies & the cost of your pair of shoes


The workshop will be a mixture of demo and hands-on, covering material selection and pattern placement, marking and cutting, outsole molding, trimming and sewing, hand lock stitching and other footwear construction techniques. You’ll leave with your very own pair of Klein Cutlery scissors, and a small bag you complete while learning and practicing hand lock stitching.
 

Your shoes will then be finished and ready for you to pick up on January 8^th (If you are making them for someone as a Christmas gift, we can have them ready in time!)


Shoes can be made in women’s sizes 7–11+ & men’s sizes 8-13


All skill levels welcome


Beginner Scarf Knitting, December 9^th

12-2pm: trip to Eagle Bend Alpaca farm

2-4:30pm: knitting workshop

We know everyone has busy schedules, and you may join us for just the workshop part of the afternoon.

$25 covers cost of workshop

Please come to class with the following materials: (we’ve recommended a few shops at the end of the post)

2-3 skeins of a bulky or super bulky weight yarn

straight knitting needles size 15 or larger

Eagle Bend Alpaca Farm has beautiful yarns for sale on site, but they may be a little costly to learn on, and are a thinner weight, unsuitable for our project. We recommend using it for your next project!

This workshop will teach everything a beginning knitter would need to know, from cast-on/bind-off to knit and purl stitches, ribbing, and more complicated stitches. We will be making a chunky cowl that is lovely, cozy, and a simple gift for anyone on your list.

You’ll leave with your new chunky cowl, plus instructions for your next project, to use your alpaca yarn!

We carry lovely yarn from Eagle Bend Alpaca Farm in the shop, but know that doesn’t meet all knitting needs. For other yarn, we recommend heading to one of these great local shops:

Hank A Yarn Boutique    2651 Observatory Ave. Suite 101, Cincinnati OH 45208

hankyarn.com

Knit On!    735 Monmouth St. Newport, KY 41071

knit-on.com

We’ve added more evening and Sunday hours, come visit! 

Boat Shoe Workshop: Sept. 22nd

One 6-hour workshop (includes 30 minute break for exploring OTR)

12pm - 6pm

Saturday, September 22nd

$225 covers all supplies & the cost of your pair of shoes

The workshop will be a mixture of demo and hands-on, covering material selection and pattern placement, marking and cutting, outsole molding, trimming and sewing, hand lock stitching and other footwear construction techniques. You’ll leave with your very own pair of Klein Cutlery scissors, and a small bag you complete while learning and practicing hand lock stitching.

Your shoes will then be finished, and ready for you to pick up on October 22nd

Shoes can be made in women’s sizes 7–11+ & men’s sizes 8-13

All skill levels welcome

Workshop size limited to 5 people

There will be plenty of material options available in the shop for you to choose from, or you may bring your own fabric if you would like. There is a chance it will not be a good option for the construction process though. 

To register, or with any questions: hello@smarterthanagoldfish.com

Making your own Chalkboard Paint

One 3-hour workshop

6pm - 9pm

Wednesday, October 3rd

$45 covers all supplies

Learn how to mix any color chalkboard paint, and leave with your own, newly finished, chalkboard sign. So simple, and much better than traditional store bought, and often toxic, chalkboard paint.

All skill levels welcome

Workshop size limited to 10 people

To register, or with any questions: hello@smarterthanagoldfish.com