What could I do with a pair of vintage wedding shoes that have seen better days? That's the question I kept tossing around in my mind while I wandered through an Antique and Collectibles shop several weeks ago. I knew these shoes could never be cleaned or restored to a wearable condition, but they were so delicate and pretty I decided to purchase them anyway. Imagining a blushing young bride that would have worn them on her special day made them even more desirable. Besides, the price was very fair and reflected their condition so I felt I had nothing to lose.
The ivory shoes were made of leather with a laced upper and a wooden Louis heel. There were a number of stained and soiled areas along with some paint chipped from the heels. I used the internet to help me date them to the 1920s-1930s. I also managed to find lots of suggestions on how I might clean up some of the worst areas. I used Dove liquid baby soap to clean them overall with a Mr. Clean Magic pad for the worst areas. I managed to lift away a lot of the light surface dirt which is all I really expected to be able to do. I didn't want to risk damaging them any further.
I stuffed them with tissue paper before leaving them to dry for a few days, hoping in the meantime that I would come up with an idea on how I could use or display them. Originally I considered displaying them on a vintage hat box with a bouquet, but the chipped heels would have been too visible for my liking. In the end I decided to hang them up on a wall in my studio along with a bouquet that I would make.
I started off by printing a vintage wedding photo from the same era and attached it to a sheet of lacy vellum along with a copy of the traditional wedding proverb.
Next, I freshened up the shoes with some pretty new paper insoles cut from scrapbooking paper. I also decorated the uppers with some sheer ribbon laces and a pair of blue cupid cameos.
I finished up the display with a bouquet made up of a combination of blue hydrangeas, white roses and sprigs of tiny white blossoms.
And so these once deserted wedding shoes have come to brighten up a corner of my studio.
Who knows what other purpose they may serve someday?
I think they would make a charming decoration at a bridal shower!
Take care.....Marian xo
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