Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

The snow is falling, the kids are out early, it's a winter wonderland... time to play!  We're here regular hours; come see us to keep your feet warm and dry.

 

 

Kamick, eh?

We just received a big shipment of boots from our French speaking friends to the north in Quebec, just in time for the impending dynamic weather.  The gangs' all here -Janis, Christina, Heather, Annabel, Ellie, and Heidi - and they're ready to keep your dry, and look good doing it.  Kamik boots are made in Canada, they are fully waterproof and recyclable.  In fact, once they are worn out you can send them to Kamik where they are ground-up and repurposed.  Take a look...

Janis in Black

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Christina in Blue

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Heather in Green

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Annabel in Houndstooh

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Ellie in Black

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Heidi in Plum

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Heidi in Khaki

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Christina in  Black

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...and a host of cute kid's colors!

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Art Walk this Saturday...

We're hosting the pop art of local artist Babs Fulton, and her pop-modernist take on Puget Sound living.

6-9 PM, snacks and tasty beverages served.

In a dark alley...

...I want Veronica on my side.

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Frye Veronica Slouch and Veronica Shorty

'Cause when you're raising hell...

...you need a good pair of boots!

  
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Fresh from Portugal...

Two new styles from Fidji.

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Singing in the rain...

I watch Gene Kelly in that clip and think to myself, "I wonder if Gene waterproofed his shoes before that scene".  I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to shoe care.  

I like the all of the creams and polishes and cleaners and old t-shirts and daubers and horsehair brushes and, oh, see what I mean.  I like the end result best of all; the shine on the toe of my cognac balmorals, the greasy, coal-black of my loggers, the slight burnish of black on my cherry three-eyes, and most of all, the beads of water signifying the impenetrable barrier I have bestowed upon my beloved collection of footwear with the appropriate waterproofer.  All of them get it really, the waterproofing, even those whose scuffed and marred appearance I cherish and wish to preserve, the patinated character alluding to the type of affair I have with a given pair.  None are spared.

 

Ideally, I like to begin the process fresh out of the box.  I begin with a damp rag, wiping the shoe, coaxing the pores in the leather to open, readying them for the flood of protective water-based polymers from the jar of Nikwax with which I will saturate the surface.  Satisfied with my liberal application, I wipe off the excess and wait for them to dry, sometimes.  Sometimes I don't.  You don't need to really, they're waterproof as soon as you've soaked them with Nikwax (the waterproofing following the journey through the leather that the water before it took,) the tiny, hydrophobic, polymers clinging to the fiber and cell structure within.  

 

And now, the moment I've been waiting for... the squirt bottle!  I know, I know, it is a bit silly, but the results always impress.  Even the casual observer will emit an unplanned ooh or ahh.  You don't need a squirt bottle, you could just flick the finished product with your dampened fingers, but... I pointed out my nerdiness earlier, did I not?  Either way, you'll be impressed, your footwear will be protected from the elements, and you'll have fun watching the transformative process.  I suspect you'll soon be scouring the closets of friends and relatives looking for more footwear to waterproof, not that I do that...

 

Follow along in the photos below to see the amazing transformation of a pair of Fidjis - in all their handmade-in-Portugal, vegetable-tanned-leather, glory - into a pair of incredibly water and stain resistant resistant footwear ready for any weather Seattle can throw its way.  The front shoe in each photo is treated, the rear shoe is not.  You'll notice the slightest bit of darkening of the treated shoe, a modest price to pay for the level of protection you receive in return.

Nikwax is available in formulations for smooth leather, nubuck and suede, and fabric and leather combinations, as well as general purpose waterproofing for bags and apparel. 

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Clint Luke Leathers

Rawhide!

Hailing from Seattle, in the mighty, Pacific Northwest, Clint Luke handcrafts leather goods purpose-built to withstand our rugged lifestyle. Luke’s leather satchels - reminiscent of vintage field and postal bags - are the epitome of utilitarian design and function. A classic day-bag, Luke’s satchels are built from full-grain, oil-tanned leathers, and nickel hardware with a simple flap closure.

Dutifully outfitted with ample interior space and an external front pocket for organization, these bags are made to last a lifetime. Clint hand selects each hide for its quality and character, with the intent that each bag will develop a rich patina through daily use. Produced in small batches, Luke’s bags will always guarantee uniqueness due to their handcrafting.

Quality, function and style. Clint Luke Leathers.