Aurora Shoe Company Blog

The New Guy

2012-01-18T11:37:00.001-05:00

I'm pleased to introduce you to our (first ever) intern, Dave. Not to be confused with Dave, Dave is a Wells College senior Business and Entrepreneurship major, minoring in Fine Arts from Erie, PA. As good as that sounds on paper (or online as the case may be) this background is an even better mix when combined with his enthusiastic persona and makes Dave specially qualified to take on all of the diy design, photography and other random details that come with a small business marketing budget.

We've put Dave straight to work on projects that we'll be sharing in the upcoming months and look forward to the results. So many great ideas -- time to get cracking!

Scenes from a Binns Family Christmas

2012-01-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

Two of the five Binns family grandchildren celebrated their very first Christmas. At 10 months, we're pretty sure that Amelia got more out of the day than Liam did. Either way, adding two more kids to the mix has really added a huge amount of fun and love to our annual gathering.

We work each year to simplify the family Christmas, and I think we finally hit a beautiful balance. There were gifts, but the focus was really on reuniting family, loving our time together, and collaborating to create a really fabulous meal. It was a wonderful day and a great end to a very full and exciting 2011.

p.s. I spent the entire holiday week with this in mind, and it helped me to focus on what was really important. How do you find balance during this crazy/wonderful time of year?

Final Gift Guide - Someone Special

2011-12-20T11:15:00.000-05:00

With Christmas looming, I thought it might be a good time to share a gift guide with ideas that you still have plenty of time to work on. No order by deadlines or expedited shipping charges to worry about, and you don't have to stress about which size or color to choose. Merry Christmas!

Unlike your siblings or your parents, you chose your special someone, and through good and bad you've made it together. You know them better than anyone and depend on them in ways that you probably don't even realize. As Christmas swiftly approaches, here are some thoughtful "gift" ideas for your someone special...

Presence

When life gets hectic and the expectations of the holiday season start to feel oppressive, it helps to have the support of your partner, even if that means nothing more than having another set of hands in the kitchen, a person to bounce ideas off of, or another set of eyes on the kids.

A few years ago my husband wanted to make me a piece of furniture for Christmas. He spent many December evenings in his shop and was even there until 3 AM on Christmas Eve to (almost) finish it for Christmas morning. The table is beautiful and his intentions were so good, but all of that work left me chasing a toddler around alone on Christmas day while his exhausted Daddy dozed off as soon as he hit my parents' recliner. I love the table, but I would have gladly traded it for a present and well rested husband.

Cooperation

With all of the traditions and obligations it's sometimes easy to complain about having to watch another pageant or attend another party or whatever, especially with all of the last minute preparations that you have on your shoulders. It's great to edit out the stuff that isn't important or that doesn't fit, but try to remember that we all have our own sense of what makes a complete and fulfilling holiday.

I know that my husband does not have the same appreciation for religion as I do, but he knows how much I love Christmas Eve, so he puts on his churchy clothes and sings along with the hymns and keeps the kids quiet so that I can enjoy my favorite tradition. When he does it all without a single complaint and even looks as though he's enjoying it too, I feel very blessed.

Ask your someone special what they're ideal Christmas would look like and see what you can do to help make that vision happen. It could be as simple as whipping up a batch of grandma's cookies, taking a late night drive to look at lights, or downloading a certain song on itunes. You won't know until you ask...

Patience and Understanding

As much as we try not to let things get out of hand at this time of year, there are all kinds of stressors that are beyond our control. Expect delays, hold-ups and deadline anxieties and when you can, step in and help each other out. I have a whole list of things that I'd like to do this week, but that probably won't get done. My husband likely has a list just as long if not longer. Neither of our lists is more or less important than the other, so we'll have to work to be understanding and patient with each other as the week goes on and our lists begin to compete with each other.

A Willingness to Let Go

Didn't make those stars you had in mind? Your truffle recipe was a bust? Those jammie pants didn't make themselves? With all of the gift giving and receiving that goes on no one will notice the difference.

I remember being a kid and getting so excited to open each present. It all seemed so great, but by the time we'd made our holiday rounds, I'd search my brain to try and remember all the stuff I'd been given. I still have this feeling and try to remember it when I'm not able to come through on one of my "perfect" ideas. Chances are that we're all being bombarded by Christmas cheer, so if your perfect something doesn't work out, let it go; chances are nobody will feel like it's missing. Share this thought with your special someone. It's liberating.

Enjoy!

I speak for everyone at the Aurora Shoe Co. when I say that we wish you a very merry Christmas. We'll "see" you again in the new year!

Small Business Shopping Guide - Your Parents

2011-12-14T11:40:00.000-05:00

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we'll be sharing gift guides focusing on small businesses and organizations that we feel good about supporting. We only recommend gifts and products that we would actually consider ourselves and hope that you find inspiration. Please feel free to add other ideas in the comments section - there are so many great businesses out there and we would love to know about your favorites!

Good old Mom and Dad - they deserve more than you could ever give them, but here are some ideas anyway...

for Mom

A handle free pitcher from Jasmine Pots to add a little handmade love to her morning coffee or the next cup of tea that you share ($15)

A cold hardy succulent wreath for her post-Christmas front door ($125)

A simple and pretty letterpress calendar ($40)

A cozy knitted merino and silk lace scarf that goes with almost everything ($39)

for Dad

A walnut travel mug masuline enough to be seen out with the guys for their morning meet and greet at the local coffee shop ($45)

The holiday chocolate assortment from Lake Champlain Chocolates to satisfy his sweet tooth ($29.50). This snickers fudge would also do the trick.

A book to enjoy in his favorite chair ($45)

for both of them

Good old handmade leather shoes. Order online with a gift certificate or come in to the shop and we'll take care of you (and give you a discounted rate).

Small Business Shopping Guide - Your Brother

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

He is straightforward and keeps things simple which somehow makes him hard to shop for. He enjoys a good meal, an interesting design, and has always been curious about how things work. Here are some gift ideas for your brother.

A waxed canvas pouch from Peg and Awl becuase everyone needs a stylish and practical place to keep their essentials. ($38)

A shave kit with handmade beer soap by Dirty Deeds Soaps. The beer aroma will take him back to his drinking, I mean rugby playing college days. ($25)

A brass bottle key from Makr because it's cool, compact, and strung on a keychain, it will always be at the ready. ($11)

A vintage plaid shirt like the ones your dad probably wore from funkomavintage on Etsy. ($24)

In paperback at this independent bookshop. ($25)

Some other ideas:

Build him a personalized deck of cards using photos from your parents' albums
Buy him a gift certificate for the local bakery that brews his favorite cup of coffee
Save him time and money by getting a certificate to cover his next oil change
A Zingerman's Food Coma Gift Box. Just follow the link; it sounds amazing.

Small Business Shopping Guide - Your Sister

2011-11-29T10:24:00.001-05:00

You know her better than anyone because you share the same crazy family. She's allowed to call at any hour and you always trust her insightful advice. She's seen you at your best and your worst and she still loves you anyway. Here are some gift ideas for your sister.

Cute crocheted slippers from White Noise Maker travel well, get worn all the time and keep those winter feet toasty. ($19)

The products and service at LuSa Organics are everything you'd exepect from a small, family owned business. This Delight Gift Collection is just right for giving. She'll get to sample some of LuSa's best sellers and you'll feel good about these little chemical free luxuries. ($24.75)

Jewelry is always a safe bet with my sisters. These brass zulu shield earrings are fair trade and distributed by the good folks at serrv.org. ($15)

Poppy towel by Madder Root ($18)

I remember joking with my sisters about how lame we thought my mom was for giving tea towels and house plants as gifts (they seemed so boring). Now that we're all in homes of our own, we totally get it.

Holiday succulent centerpiece by The Little Succulent Shoppe. Wouldn't this be a great gift to send ahead of time to a sister who can't be with you for the holiday? ($25)

Tina Fey's new(ish) release is hysterical and unless your sister is obsessed with her (like me) she probably hasn't read it yet. Shop here and support an independent bookstore. ($15.99 for paperback)

A very new release that also guarantees laughs. This one is so new that I haven't gotten my hands on it yet *wink, wink*. You can find it at the same independent book shop. ($25)

Some other ideas to consider...

Planning girls' day out at her favorite small crafty supply shop
Buying a gift certificate at her local hair salon
Giving her a night out by arranging for a babysitter and sending her on a date with her husband
Giving her a night in with a basket full of home meade movie snacks and a DVD she's been meaning to check out
Pulling a classic family photo out of the archives and sizing and framing it for her wall

Or, if all else fails, do what my sister did for me last year. Give her a beautiful card with some money inside and tell her that it's an Etsy gift card, to be used for her alone. Sometimes this is the BEST gift ever.

I'd love to hear of any other suggestions that you might have...

p.s. The photo of my sisters and I was taken about 10 years ago on my parents' front porch. My mom took the photo on our header in the exact same spot.

The Office

2011-11-22T09:59:00.001-05:00

While Dave and the rest of our staff are at the workshop cutting, stitching, and creating, my work (which hardly feels like work in comparison) usually takes place off site, wherever I can find a good comfy seat and an internet connection.

The routine since September has been to drop my kids off (preschool and babysitter) at 9am and then choose a place to set up camp for the next few hours. Sometimes I head to my in-laws' up the street, but more recently, I've been setting up shop in the dining hall at Wells College.

It probably sounds like a strange place to go, but I have a history here. It started with a year of classes post-graduation to earn a teaching certificate in 2002 and has since included 2 years of working in Student Life, and in the midst of all that, a wedding.

So if you ever wonder what's inspiring my blog posts, you can imagine me sitting on an antique couch in the heart of this tiny college campus, sipping local coffee and surrounded by student artwork, young energy, and good memories.

It's a great place to be.

Our New York

2011-11-15T21:23:00.001-05:00

It's funny how when you're travelling and you tell someone that you're from New York they automatically assume that you mean New York City. Sure, there are A LOT of people in NYC, but there is also a lot of real estate north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. We're a full 5 hours north of the City and it would take another 5 hours to reach the Canadian border, so we're truly smack dab in the middle of New York State.

Our New York is small, rural and just the way we like it. It's a place full of open fields, wooded lots, ample lake views and plenty of vineyards. Our neighbors are the kinds of folks who share their surplus garden harvests and who bring our dogs home when they've been hanging around on their porches for too long. It's a wonderful place to raise a family, to grow a business and to settle in.

Thanks for visiting.

p.s. Read more about Dave and his sweet girls.

It's all About Comfort

2011-11-15T09:34:00.001-05:00

(photo by Erin)

After being on my feet all day, I couldn't wait to get home and kick my shoes off. Now I don't have to worry about that - I don't even realize I have them on.

- A local patron describing the Aurora Shoe difference

Veterans' Day

2011-11-11T14:35:00.001-05:00

When I'm having a rough day or find myself in a difficult situation, I often think about my grandparents. They courted each other in the early 1940s and were married just after my grandfather was drafted and before he was sent to Normandy. I think about the extreme hardship of living apart, not knowing if they would ever see or hold each other again, and the incredible amount of self sacrifice that they endured. While I have never known the realities of military service, the small fraction that I am able to imagine is always enough to make my own troubles seem insignificant in comparison.

Dave and Jane Myers with friends on their wedding day
August 21, 1943

Grandpa was eventually wounded in France and spent about a year recovering in various hospitals before being reunited with his wife. Grandma always said that his wounds were what saved his life. I really can not imagine...

Today and always, thank you.

Things Men Have Made

2011-11-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

Twinkletoes

2011-11-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

We're several weeks beyond what I would consider to have been the peak of fall color here in the Finger Lakes region. A trip to the woods this weekend made it clear that there is still plenty of color to be found. As always, the photos hardly capture the reality, but they're the only way I know how to share this natural beauty.

There were no apple trees in sight, but this sweet little poem came to mind as we all enjoyed kicking the leaves and crunching around.

Twinkletoes

When the sun
Shines through the leaves of the apple-tree,
When the sun
Makes shadows of the leaves of the apple-tree,
Then I pass
On the grass
From one leaf to another,
From one leaf to its brother,
Tip-toe, tip-toe!
Here I go!

A. A. Milne

Meet the Neighbors - Dinosaur Dry Goods

2011-11-02T07:28:00.003-04:00

We passionately support small business and handmade and local goods. As a visitor of our blog, we thought that you might feel the same way. In our Meet the Neighbors series we're featuring businesses and people who reflect our own values and whom we feel lucky to call neighbors and friends.

Today I'm excited to introduce you to a small business that I have known and loved since it appeared a few miles from my house. I would come home from college and peruse the racks for simple and beautiful linen dresses and tops. I'd usually find a few vintage treasures like aprons or handkerchiefs, and once a vintage white bedspread, which has become a favorite.

I stopped in to visit with Jackie at her shop, Dinosaur Dry Goods a couple of weeks ago when the weather was warm(ish) and the sun was shining. Here are some photos from our visit along with our conversation about her eclectic work.

How did you get into retail?

I always had entrepreneurial aspirations that probably come from various family-run businesses that I was exposed to while growing up. When our kids were little, we shopped for second hand kids' clothes on the other side of Cayuga Lake. When one of the businesses was up for sale, I investigated buying it and moving it to King Ferry. The purchase didn't work out, but the wheels were in motion and I started Dinosaur Dry Goods in King Ferry as a gently-used clothing store. That was in 1999 and Ed was a stay-at-home dad, so he worked in the store with a baby napping in the back room.

Our business and the world of on-line commerce were growing up at the same time and the movement toward on-line sales was natural. Now 95% of our business is from our various e-commerce venues. Our specialty is the locally headquartered, Flax by Jeanne Engelhart which has a loyal collectors around the world.

How did you come up with a name for your business?

I wanted a name that sounded friendly and would adapt well as the business grew and changed. Dry Goods seemed to encompass a wide range of products featuring textiles. The Dinosaur part worked for used goods because dinosaurs are always being recycled, reused...always making a comeback. And I love alliteration.

Your etsy shop has vintage stuff. Have you ever had something that you thought was amazing, but that didn't sell well?

Everything sells eventually. It is just a matter of the right buyer finding the right item at the right time. That is the downside of 7-day eBay auctions. If the right customers don't find you in that small window of time and bid against each other, you don't get those crazy-lucrative auction prices for your items.

How do you balance work with motherhood and all of the other competing interests in your life?

I try to do only things that I enjoy. I make my business my life and my fun. My family likes to roll their eyes at me when I suggest that work is fun, but I think deep down inside they are learning that a job doesn't have to be something you complain about and dread going to each day. It is all about choice. You can choose to be busy and unhappy, or you can choose to find balance and contentment.

Why do you think it is important to buy local?

I like to buy local so I don't have to pay the added transportation costs to the product and environment when something travels across the country. Local food is generally fresher. Buying from local businesses keeps the money in the neighborhood and I'd prefer my neighbors prosper before I see large corporate businesses prosper.

Do you have anything new or anything you'd like to share?

I went to a dinner for Wells College's new Center for Business and Entrepreneurship and was reminded of how perfect my liberal arts education prepared me for running a business. I am able to combine so many of my interests...economics, art history, sculpture, marketing, graphic design, computers as I manage my business

Thanks to Jackie for welcoming us into her business and her home. I had no idea she was so multifaceted - there were crafty and creative surprises everywhere. As you can imagine, I didn't walk away empty handed and indulged with a few new linen shirts and dresses.

You can shop Dinosaur Dry Goods online here. She's also got a vintage shop on Etsy and hosts regular Ebay auctions. Local folks can contact Jackie to make an appointment.

I like to keep up with Jackie on Twitter. If you're there give her a shout @DDG (give me a shout too while you're at it: @AuroraShoeAlys).

Neighbour Lookbook

2011-10-25T11:06:00.000-04:00

Our friends at Neighbour in Vancouver have just shared their autumn/winter lookbook. They always put together interesting looks and we were excited to spot this one which features our Middle English style.

(photo by Jenilee Marigomen for Neighbour)

Middle English Style

2011-10-20T11:11:00.002-04:00

We're slowly building a collection of photos so that we can update our website and create a small catalog. Yesterday I called up a friend and we orchestrated an impromptu photo shoot with her handsome and willing husband. Below is a small sampling of my favorites from the day. The first few include a new pair of brown Middle English and the last was taken with his own comfy and well worn black pair.

He's a natural in front of the camera which made my job so easy. He's also great with kids which made the frequent interruptions from my little 4 year old "helper" a non-issue.

I'm happy with the outtakes and even more thrilled with the shots that you didn't see.

While we're talking style, do you have any favorite fashion blogs? We used this men's fashion blog as inspiration for yesterday's shoot. Who inspires your style?

A Handmade Collection

2011-10-17T12:35:00.001-04:00

Do you follow Kirtsy.com? Founded by a few big name female bloggers, Kirtsy has recently become a collection of curated slideshows focused on art, design and interesting products, curated by some of the "most interesting people online". Yesterday they posted our slideshow of fall inspired handmade goods. It's a great collection of handmade items and I hope you'll check it out.

Mmmmorning

2011-10-14T09:50:00.003-04:00

Good morning. This was my sunrise this morning - light pouring over the empty cornstalks. It hasn't always been corn. Before that it was soybeans and before that I can't remember, but this is our view for now.

And this was basically my view shortly after. Remembering something I'd seen on Pinterest, I whipped up some pumpkin pie smoothies for breakfast (organic canned pumpkin, ripe banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger, buttermilk).

My Pinterest account started as a way to give our shoes a style and a context, but it has become a fun and personal collection of images, recipes and ideas that I enjoy. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take a look. If you do, look me up - we can follow eachother!

Leif didn't love his smoothie as much as I did, and asked for pumpkin pancakes instead. I made a loose mental reference to this recipe and turned the remainder into pumpkin pancakes.

What a delicious morning. Happy Friday!

p.s. If you're local and free tomorrow morning, come on over to the King Ferry Farmers' Market. We'll be pressing cider and making donuts from 10-1. The cider and donuts are free, and we just might put you to work!

A Walk in the Woods

2011-10-13T14:27:00.007-04:00

Welcome to my favorite fall hiking spot. We come here every year to pick up pretty leaves for wax pressing. This year we left the leaves, but came for acorns instead (did you know that you can eat them?) These acorns aren't for eating, but for planting. It seems like a simple enough process, so we're going to give it a shot. Maybe in about 75 years there will be some big and shady oaks to show for it. Talk about an investment!

This little nut didn't fit in my basket...

(Baby's shirt is by the lovely and local Silk Oak)

A Fresh Perspective

2011-10-06T11:21:00.010-04:00

It's been a couple of months since I first talked with Erin about capturing some images of our shoes. Up until now, most of the photos you see on our blog and website have been taken by family members or myself. Tired of trying to do it all, we reached out to Erin, who is a professional phtographer and self professed Aurora Shoe lover.

I've been waiting in quiet anticipation since then and was so happy to find a beautiful little package from Erin in my mailbox yesterday. I won't even attempt to show you all of the great photos that we now have at our fingertips (you'll see them soon enough on our website, blog, etc.) but I'm happy to share a few of my favorites.

You can view more of Erin's photographic stylings at her professional site: a love supreme. Follow the blog link to see some really beautiful wedding shots - this wedding is my favorite, or maybe this one... Ahh, why am I trying? They're all lovely!

Thank you, Erin for bringing a fresh new perspective to our tried and true classics. Readers, I'd love to know, how do you style your Aurora Shoes?

A Fine Fall Day

2011-10-05T15:50:00.008-04:00

I've never been one to ask much from my birthdays. I don't need special surprises or extraordinary events, just a nice day sprinkled with a few festive touches and I'm happy.

Today is shaping up to be one of those simple and festive birthdays and I'm loving it. After waking from 9 hours (!) of sleep, I started the day with these pumpkin pancakes (I followed Amanda's adjustments and added a few* of my own) and then left to pick apples with Leif's preschool class. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and cool and we spent our morning enjoying fresh apples, donuts and cider at the Apple Station.

Locals might like to know that the Apple Station opened an attached winery in September. I didn't sample any wines this morning, but it sounds like anyone who likes their wines fruity and sweet will especially love what they have to offer (think: apple blends and even one with blueberry).

Leif loved feeding the animals. I know the sheep, but we were all wondering, is this an alpaca?

Now I'm off to tidy up the house in preparation for tonight's birthday dinner (don't worry, I'm not cooking that one). Cheers!

*I swapped the sour cream for plain, full fat yogurt and topped them with cream cheese, apple slices, toasted almonds and maple syrup. YUM!

Handsome American Leather

2011-09-30T11:26:00.006-04:00

If leather is a byproduct of the meat packing industry, then what would you call these beautiful pieces?

We call them fantastic!

Made from the same Horween Chromexcel that we use for our shoe leather, the baseball and wallet above are fittingly handmade and stitched with care by Paul Cunningham in Glen Rock, New Jersey. Paul has purchased leather scraps for use in some of his projects. You can view more of Paul's work, including hand stitched footballs, rugby and medicine balls, on his Etsy site. Etsy featured Paul and his shop in June including a video that is a cool blend of old football footage combined with Paul's workshop and process.

We love Paul's work and think these pieces are perfect for those who appreciate sports, high quality handmades, and history (his baseball designs are based on 19th century lemon peel styles). Just think, if you ordered one of Paul's artisinal footballs today, you could be tossing it around with a friend by next weekend!

Wondering what we do with the leather scraps that Paul doesn't use? I'll tell you all about them and how you can get some for your own projects when I'm back here next week. Until then, have a great fall weekend!

Oktoberfest 2011

2011-09-28T11:29:00.001-04:00

For as many years as I can remember, we've been invited to celebrate the German heritage of our family friend at his annual Oktoberfest. I think that in the 30 or so years that he's been hosting this party, I've probably only missed it twice (and one of those times we were at the mother of all Oktoberfests in Munich).

At Hans' party, much like in Germany, it's all about the traditional food, the good beer and the polka. It's also about getting together with neighbors for the annual review of life in this small place that we call home. We are reminded of those who are no longer with us, but also of those little ones who are newly here or who have grown and changed beyond immediate recognition. It's one of those events that is so predictable and constant that it can be used to measure time. The idea that friends and I attended this party every year as kids, and that we now come back with our own kids is sort of mind boggling but comforting too.

Thanks, Hans, for a festive fall tradition that we all look forward to and love.

Upstate New York Flood Relief

2011-09-22T11:46:00.003-04:00

While our friends along the East Coast were relieved to see that Hurricane Irene's force had softened, our friends in the Southern Tier of Upstate New York were hit with flooding that has devastated their region. High flood waters are reaching historic levels and leaving many families homeless and desperate for assistance and actual physical help with the difficult work of salvaging and rebuilding. What can you do to help?

If you're local you can gather with our friends in Ithaca at the Ithaca Musicians for Southern Tier Flood Relief event at Castaway's on Sunday, October 2nd. All proceeds will be donated to Food Bank of the Southern Tier. We'll have a pair of shoes up for auction and would love to see you there.

Too far away to join is in Ithaca? In addition to the shoes we've donated to the October 2nd event, we've also put 5 pairs of shoes (any color, any style) up for auction* on Ebay. You can bid on the shoes here and know that your money will not only be putting new handmade shoes on your feet. It will also be on the ground, helping those who need it desperately and who also happen to be just an hour's drive away from us here in Aurora.

Thank you for any help you can provide. If you have any other worthy organizations in mind, or have other ideas about how we can all work together to help the flood victims in the Southern Tier, please share them in the comments box.

*We're getting creative in our attempt to put all five pairs of shoes up under one Ebay auction. We'll send shoes off to the top five bidders in this single auction. Winners will choose their favorite style and color, and of course, we'll work with you to get the sizing just right.

The Pitter Patter of Little Feet

2011-09-21T11:06:00.005-04:00

No, we still don't produce shoes for kids (believe me, I'm pushing for them too). But my little guy is managing to get around just fine without Aurora Shoes and I am loving watching his progress. Here are a few from our "learning to walk" series for you baby lovers out there.

All of that walking left us both needing a rest, so he played happily with sunglasses and I took a picture of my feet (totally normal).

Thanks for indulging this proud mama - I just love hearing the pitter patter of those cute little baby feet! My Auroras are spending a lot of time outside and at the local playground. Where are your Aurora Shoes taking YOU?

p.s. I just finished this entry to find a really lovely feature on our company here. We love the support we get from our small and tightly knit community. It's good to be in Aurora!

Showing Shoes in New Hampshire

2011-09-15T11:36:00.004-04:00

After a long trip including one break down on the Mass Pike, David and family have safely returned home from their first trade show in New Hampshire. Actually, only Dave went to New Hampshire. Andrea and the girls, along with my mom, spent the long weekend at my sister's in Rhode Island. While the girls were taking walks to the beach and making yummy food, David was setting up and running this booth:

The booth looked great and we now have a few new retail shops carrying our shoes. Back to business as usual in Aurora...

Weekending

2011-09-09T07:50:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Labor Day, this week felt like it was over before it even started. While Dave and his family travel to a shoe show in New Hampshire, we're looking forward to spending the weekend visiting our local farmers' market and celebrating Baby's first birthday. It feels like he's been here forever, but at the same time I can't believe that a year has come and gone since he was born. Ah, babies...

Anyway, I thought I'd share some photos from last weekend to give you an idea of what life is like in this little place that we call home. Leif and I started with a nice mother/son date at the local church's monthly pancake breakfast. They make the best blueberry sauce (we added our own local peaches because, well, why not?).

From there we walked to the King Ferry farmers' market where we bought carrots and jam (kiwi lime marmalade = yum!) and admired the fibers.

This lady right here is my favorite. Her hair is made from merino wool. Clever, huh?

I love to get my craft on but have never tried needle felting before. The woman who made these said she'd put together a beginner's kit for me to start with. I'm thinking I'll start by felting yarn onto wool - something similar to this. If you have any suggestions for a beginning felter, I'd love to hear them.

In the meantime, I'm going to try to wrap my head around how this

turned into this

Have a great weekend!

Meet the Neighbors - Moop

2011-09-06T08:26:00.004-04:00

For our latest Meet the Neighbors installment we're stepping out of Cayuga County and introducing you to a great company that pushes the boundaries of the word neighbor. While they're not exactly "just down the road" like some of our other friends, the folks at Moop certainly are very neighborly. Being small as we are, we've reached out to a few other small handmade businesses and must say that Wendy at Moop was one of the most friendly and helpful business owners we've met. She was happy to share her knowledge and ideas and for that we are very grateful.

Nice as they are, what we love most about Moop is their simple and stylish bags which are handmade at their studio in Pittsburgh. Below is a conversation we had with Wendy last week.

How did you get into bag design/production?

Moop began in a converted mill building in Western Massachusetts. I had been studying photography for many years and was always drawn to exploring textiles through photographs. I was particularly interested in garment construction, textile labor practices and the representation of textiles/clothing/garments/women through images. I had been sewing dresses out of non-traditional textile materials such as paper bags, handmade pom pons, tyvek and various other things to use as props in photographs. Out of a purely utilitarian need I sewed a few pieces of fabric together to make a tote bag for school. I received many compliments on it but never took it seriously as something that I would do for other people. About a year later - after our relocation to Massachusetts from Ohio - I was completely unemployable with two degrees in photography and searching for ways to make my practice as an artist make sense with my need to support myself and my family. It was out of this need that I began to reconsider what my studio practice was. I set up shop online and started Moop. At the time I was not even completely sure what Moop would be and my self taught sewing skills were rather rudimentary. But, Moop grew…a lot! So, I started investing in proper equipment, honed my skills and started learning how to really run a business and build a brand.

Your aesthetic is so simple and functional, but at the same time (and maybe because of this) quite beautiful. Is there a design rule or principle that you live by?

I start with the tools and methods that I know how to do. From there, I begin with the basic shape, then features I want to offer, then accessories. The design tends to show itself through this process and is influenced by our production methods. I try to avoid design features that will be difficult to work into our current processes. We're a very small studio producing a large volume of bags for our size so everything must be efficient, always, otherwise we get behind and can't keep up with our order volume. It may sound like a strange way to design, but it creates an important level of restraint and means our bags are a cohesive collection, one building upon another.

What drives your commitment to keep bag production in house?

Labor. My practice as an artist always dealt with issues of labor in textile production. It was something that resonated with me from a very young age. Learning more about how the things we buy are manufactured, the conditions of laborers worldwide, how that has affected job development and opportunity and how we are all plugged into supporting these practices weather we like it or not. It's nice to think of an off the grid lifestyle, but it's not very realistic for most people. I think all of us have to pick and choose where we feel we can make an impact on things we believe in - environmentally, socially, sustainably, educationally, gastronomically, etc. For me, Moop has been a way that I can implement many of my convictions while also growing a business and way of life. What started as a practice of one (me), has grown into a practice of several. It's immensely satisfying to be able to provide a job and income not just for myself, but for those that work with me as well. And even more satisfying to know that our customers are supporting us for many of the above listed reasons. Handmade manufacturing has put us in touch with so many exciting, interesting and empowered small business owners worldwide. We're excited to be a part of such a healthy supportive community.

You can view all of the Moop collections by visiting their website. For more behind the scenes photos, check out their Flickr page. And of course, if you really want to know more about what Moop is up to, you can visit their blog and friend them on Facebook.

I've been trying all weekend to decide which bag is my favorite and am still debating between the Carrier and the Letter Clutch (or maybe the Small Messenger)...

Which bags do you like best?

Hello!

2011-09-02T05:05:00.021-04:00

It just occured to me that I have been bringing you blog entries for about two years now and I haven't taken the time to properly introduce myself. I may have been intentionally vague in the past, but it feels like a good time to come out of virtual hiding and tell you a little about myself. And since family connections brought me here, that seems like a good place to start.

I grew up in the same small town where the Aurora Shoe Company has been located for the past 20 years and am lucky to have had a pretty idyllic childhood. My father is a farmer and my mother is a graphic designer turned stay at home mom. She left paid work when I was born and hasn't looked back since, providing me with a very specific idea of what it means to put children and family first. In addition to my brother, Dave, whom you have already met, I have two younger sisters (hi Katie and Lauren!) and grew up in a big old farm house just down the road from the shop.

Growing up as the oldest of four kids in our rural hometown was not always my favorite thing, but now that we're all grown up and starting families of our own, I cherish the closeness that I have with each of them. David, Lauren and I have all chosen to stay nearby and we actually live on the same small country road, less than a mile from eachother. This nearness is especially fun for our kids who get to grow up knowing that their cousins are only a quick drive or a warm weather walk away. My oldest, who is four, likes to call Dave's girls his "sisters" and I don't discourage it. I love knowing that if I never have a daughter of my own, I'll at least have a couple of sweet little nieces to do girly things with!

My youngest son is about to turn one (not sure where that year went!) and I feel very lucky to be able to raise my boys at home while maintaining a link to the professional world. The fact that I'm working for my brother and a small local business that I've loved since I was a teenager make it all that much better. As the weather cools I'll be spending more time here, bringing you features on local and not-so-local businesses that are in line with our values and aesthetic. I'm also looking forward to sharing more of the everyday stuff that makes life meaningful and interesting in rural New York.

I invite you to visit us more frequently here and to join the conversation at Twitter. I'm @AuroraShoeAlys and would love to hear from you!

Until next time...

Alyssa

Blogspotted at Bluebirdbaby

2011-07-27T10:58:00.000-04:00

You'd think that being an "Official Shoe Promoter" (seriously, that's my title) and all, I would expect to see evidence of my work out there in the world. I'm all about helping our shoes to get exposure, but somehow I'm still surprised every time I stumble upon a pair somewhere outside of our local community. Yesterday I was catching up on a blog that I keep in my feed and I saw this:

and then I poked a bit further and found this:

and upon more investigation, there was this:

I contacted Erin at Bluebirdbaby to see if I could share her blog photos with you and she was super nice about it. She's got a simple and natural style that works so well with our shoes and her life in Maine is so similar to ours here in rural upstate New York that I couldn't help but identify with her. I love the way Erin's blog captures the everyday moments that so many of us take for granted. It's a great reminder to stop and enjoy the beauty that constantly surrounds us.

A few of my recent favorites, just because...

You can view Erin's personal blog here. She also has a professional photography website and a beautiful photography blog. She's based in Maine but us up for travel. I loved her stuff so much that we're working out a deal to have her capture some new photos for our website. Since putting ourselves online a couple of years ago, we've made some really great connections with people who share our values and design aesthetic. It's a great feeling to work together with other people to achieve a common goal and the internet makes it all feel so easy.

Thank you, Erin, for sharing your lovely blog (and life) with us!

Aurora Shoes are Sassy

2011-07-12T14:57:00.001-04:00

Do you remember Sassy Magazine? I've always been a magazine reader, but I especially remember my love for Sassy. We recently received the email beow from a fellow Sassy fan who not only remembered finding our shoes there, but who actually still had a copy of the magazine! I am loving the 90s grunge meets angsty teenaged school girl look. Say hello to August, 1993...

When I was 16 years old I was secretly addicted to Sassy magazine. It was *the* magazine for us offbeat girls that didn't fit into the mainstream mall-rat demographic. I anxiously awaited for it to hit the magazine rack each month and devoured every word from cover-to-cover the second I got it home. During this time, I had my own fashion sense that did not include regular trips to Wet Seal or Nordstrom. I was into funky thrift-store finds and beat-up levi jeans. The only problem I had was finding a decent shoe for the upcoming school year that was unique, versatile and comfortable. I already had converse and Doc Martins which were great for winter... but I needed one more shoe, a sandal perhaps. Birkenstocks were a bit too hippie-ish and everything else was too dressy or looked like it came directly out of Seventeen Magazine. I searched all summer long, to no avail. I had pretty much given up. So when I flopped down to enjoy the August issue of Sassy magazine in 1993, I was surprised to see the perfect sandal right before my eyes. A perfectly unique little shoe that looked great with tights or with scrunched up wool socks. I was smitten. I had to have them. I quickly looked up the sandal only to find the price of $95 was way out of my 16-year old budget. I was disheartened for a moment, then I started figuring out how I was going to save up for the darned things. I could not live without them. It took me two months, but eventually I was the proud owner of a beautiful pair of "New Chinese" sandals. It's been nearly 20 years, and I still have them. They were my first major fashion purchase and I hold them dear to my heart.

Chelsie Kenyon

Writer and Author

p.s. Is it just me, or did that look like a younger Angelina Jolie?

p.p.s. Do you remember the Sassy spoof Phil Hartman did on SNL? Hillarious!

Homeschooling Field Trip

2011-06-08T10:21:00.003-04:00

Dave gave a tour of our factory to a couple of 3^rd grade homeschooled boys last week. They came with their aunt and their grandmother. As Dave says, it isn’t easy to make the time for tours, but they are always fun to give. Our friend, Katie, took the above photo in the women’s room at the Fargo (love the idea of a chalk board in the bathroom, by the way), and the other two photos are sweet thank you letters from the boys.

If you happen to be reading, Carter and Ash, thanks for visiting. It was a pleasure!

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken You?

2011-04-27T10:20:00.002-04:00

China!

We are thrilled to share photos from Dave's nephew's first days with his proud parents. Eric and Melissa traveled to China in late February to bring Logan home. They shared these photos from the Bird's Nest at Olympic Park in Beijing and from the Great Wall.

We love the Aurora Shoe photos and are so glad to see this budding family adjusting so well to their new life together!

Where have your Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

Meet Keeley of Keeley's Cheese Co.

2011-04-18T08:54:00.002-04:00

We are so happy to finally introduce you to Keeley, of Keeley's Cheese Co. When we started thinking about introducing you to our neighbors, Keeley was the first person we asked and the first person we photographed. Dave and I have known Keeley since our elementary school bus days and have happily watched her business come together and grow. She's real and fun and we admire her adventurous spirit (her cheeses are pretty great too).

Keeley's Cheese Co. is located just a few miles south of us, in King Ferry. Like Dave, Keeley returned home to see if she could make a living where we grew up. Unlike Dave, Keeley didn't just move home, she moved into the family farmhouse, turning what had been her grandparent's home into a cheese production facility and tasting room. This move has put Keeley so close to the source of her milk that she can be forming cheeses while gazing out the window at the cows. It doesn't get any more fresh or local than that!

How did you become interested in the cheese business?

I became interested in cheese making while studying Animal Science at the University of Vermont. I was able to land a work-study job at nearby Shelburne Farms, helping run the grazing Brown Swiss operation, and then moved onto the cheddar-cheese making at the farm. This was my first 'hands-on' cheese experience and I found the entire process fascinating! After awhile I started to make the connection that this was a skill I could bring back to King Ferry and our own dairy farm.

Why Irish cheeses?

The Irish cheese connection came about in a few ways. First, I had studied abroad in Ireland and my family has Irish heritage, so it's always been a special place for me. Second, I took some cheese making courses at VIAC (Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese) and was having a chat with one of my classmates there. We were discussing washed-rind cheeses and she mentioned there were many award-winning styles of this cheese being made in Southwest Ireland. This seemed too good to be true for me, because I was dating (and am now engaged to) an Irish fella, so the thought of traveling over to see him AND learn about cheese was serendipitous. So I went over for 3 months in 2008 on a cheese making internship.

How has living in New York's "wine country" affected your business?

I think as more dairies continue to diversify, this area will become known as 'Cheese/Yogurt/Butter Country' as much as it is now known for its wine. Dairy is our number one Agricultural commodity, and it's been amazing to see the immediate interest in our Finger Lakes Cheese Trail, which came together just last year. Wineries in the Finger Lakes have laid a lot of tourism groundwork over the years, and we newer local food businesses are certainly benefiting from that. I'm excited to work with the wineries and continue to showcase all the great food our region has to offer to complement the wine. The quality is what will keep both locals and tourists coming back!

How has growing up on a family farm influenced your feelings about family and community?

Growing up on a farm certainly instills a good work ethic! It has made the task of starting my own business seem possible as I look at what my parents have managed over the years. On the tough days, I think: if they - and so many of our neighbors like them - managed to run and expand a farm while raising 4 kids, what am I complaining about?! All I have is a dog! :) Perspective is so important when you're taking a leap of faith and trying something new.

Living in a farming community has also shown me what a real sense of community is. Having grown up here, I took for granted how well people care for each other. Not to get too mushy, but knowing there are neighbors who will be there in a heartbeat if you need them is invaluable. And that doesn't happen everywhere.

Why do you think it's important to buy handmade and local foods and goods?

I think local goods have an important place in our overall economy. Times are tight for everyone (except those privileged few) and we're all more aware of where our money goes. For me it boils down to prioritizing quality. There are certain things I'm willing to be frugal about, so that I can spend my hard-earned bucks on products that really matter to me. The impact of my spending dollar means so much more to my local shoemaker (just as an example!) than those same dollars would mean to a huge shoe wholesaler. Plus-the quality is guaranteed, and I know where the shoemaker lives if I have a complaint--quality assurance! :) The personal connection is what excites me most about buying high quality local goods.

Do you have anything new going on that you'd like to share?

We set up online ordering on the website. We've just made it through our first year, and we're starting to think about moving into a larger production facility. This year we'll be focusing on consistency and we'll be monitoring how our cheese changes over the seasons. We're looking forward to a great year.

Good Signs

2011-04-14T18:35:00.000-04:00

As I was out and about today I noticed that it suddenly feels like spring has arrived. The signs are everywhere; plants are sprouting, flowers are blooming, animals are birthing and the grass is turning green.

As if those signs were not enough, we have another great sign that arrived today. After all of the time spent researching and deciding, it's finally here (our neighbors were starting to think we'd given up)!

Around the World in Aurora Shoes

2011-04-04T13:36:00.004-04:00

We started our trip in our beloved Aurora Shoes this November in
Ontario where we packed all of our belongings into our CRV and drove out to BC Via Colorado and Montana.

We then Promptly sold our car and stored our goods and flew to Beijing, where we trekked the Great Wall in our favourite footwear.

We traveled the crowded trains and busses through China and into Laos where we trekked for two days into minority villages around Luang Namtha, and (as they were the only shoes we had) we did it in our Aurora shoes.

From there we navigated the chaos of Hanoi in our slightly more worn out shoes, and onto Singapore's civilized streets and Penang's dirty ones.

We then rode the trams of Melbourne this February before returning home to BC

Your shoes have been great travel companions, keeping our feet comfortable and dry throughout our trip.

Thank you.

Kelsey & Thilo

Looking for a Good Fit

2011-03-29T11:10:00.001-04:00

Over the past 20 years our shoes have been featured in various retail shops around the country. About a year ago we decided it was time to step things up a notch. We created a website, started this blog and built a fairly large Facebook following. We've worked to make our presence known online, and now it's time to hit the pavement and get ourselves into some new retail spaces. Instead of spending hours Googling shoe stores, clothing boutiques and gift shops, we thought we'd start the old fashioned way - through the recommendations of friends.

You know our shoes, you understand our philosophies and you probably have a good sense about which kinds of shops we belong in and which we don't. We would love to know if you have any shops, boutiques or opportunities in mind for sales or collaborations of any sort. You can leave your suggestions in the comment box below or, if you'd prefer, you can email them to me at aurorashoealyssa(at)gmail.com.

Thank you for your support online and in person. Every bit of feedback we receive keeps us moving forward.

It's a Girl!

2011-02-22T11:35:00.003-05:00

We are so happy to announce the birth of our newest addition, Amelia Scout. She's healthy and beautiful. We feel incredibly blessed.

To celebrate (and adjust to) Amelia's birth, we're closing the shop for a couple of weeks. We'll resume normal hours starting Monday, March 7th. Online orders will still be processed within this time and we'll even add free shipping to orders placed before March 20th with the promotional code,"Amelia".

Cheers!

David, Andrea, Reagan and Amelia

Meet Local Fabric Designer, Felicity Miller

2011-02-07T10:20:00.009-05:00

We've had the pleasure of knowing Felicity Miller on a casual basis for many years. She's got a sweet British accent, two beautiful daughters and a husband who runs Miller Tilling, a well known local design, cabinetry and construction business. What we didn't realize is that she's been an artistic force behind many other local establishments that we've known and loved for decades. I visited Felicity in mid January and lost myself in her vibrant home. The photos were supposed to be focused on her fabric and paper designs, but there were so many pretty views that I got a little distracted.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to the artist and her lovely home.

I saw on your website that you came to Aurora to apprentice and design with Richard and Victoria MacKenzie-Childs. If they brought you here, what compelled you to stay?

I had a teaching job lined up in Peru for 6 months and was then going to go home and apply for Art College but I realized that the experience with MC would give me a lot of hands on design time with intensely creative individuals, and so much learning with different media. And where else would you get to ride an elephant as part of a photo shoot?

Your husband, Glenn Miller, designs homes and home renovations. Do you ever collaborate on projects?

We did collaborate on the interior of the Christian Science Reading Room in Ithaca, NY. It was great to work with a talented team from Miller Tilling and a fun design committee. In our own home Glenn tends to be a little more streamlined than I am but after much wrangling we often come to a result that works for both of us. He's great with the big picture and I love details. I very much value his insight and instinct with design. Colour sometimes causes issues - we painted our mudroom 3 times to get the colour right for both of us! Recently Glenn helped me lay out some quilt designs in a drawing program that gave all the dimensions as we input the design - sweet! I do everything by hand so am amazed at what is possible with technology. I definitely need help in that area. I'm such a dinosaur!

How did you get into fabric design, and how has it differed from the paper designs you'd been doing before?

I studied fabric printing and design at high school in England and always hoped I'd be able to come back to it in some way. When I decided to go into licensing, my business partner and I did the Surtex show at the Javits in NY - I displayed a lot of artwork hoping to hook a paper company. Westminster Fibers came to the booth and loved my umbrellas and rain boots and asked me to build a fabric collection around them, 5 designs in 5 colourways. This required changing my very painterly style into flat areas of colour, figuring out all the repeats, scale, and colour separation... a lot of work! The designs I do for paper products can be reproduced as I paint them so it is quite a bit simpler.

Were you always a sewist, or is that something that came along with the fabric?

I started with a button sewing project with my Grandma when I was 4! I learned sewing at school too and made quite a few of my own clothes as a teenager. It was actually cheaper than buying clothes then! I worked at Laura Ashley in my home town of Cheltenham on Saturdays through high school and loved working with all the fabrics. I still have a duvet cover I made at high school - my daughter Elle uses it.

a new duvet cover made with Felicity's Circus line

Has your work changed since becoming a mother?

The time I can spend on it has! Of course the priorities are home and family but I am finding ways to fit things in. I sketched some new Christmas designs while watching a basketball game last weekend - there is a lot of multi-tasking. I love getting feedback from the family. I also love watching the girls' drawing styles develop and learning from them. The challenge is often blocking out the piles of laundry and dog hair that needs vacuuming to focus on a deadline... somehow things get done.

Your shop features handmade creations. Why do you think it's important for people to purchase locally made products?

I very much believe that communities and the economy are strengthened by the support of local businesses. We have become so rarely connected with the source of what we buy, but I love to think that this is changing, slowly but surely. It's great to think of something being made in one specific place and not so ubiquitous. I love products that are unique and hand touched - like your shoes!

What are your favorite parts of the business?

I really enjoy seeing new sights and colours both locally and farther afield. First comes the experience, then the doodling, followed by deeper study of my subject. There are times of artistic struggle for sure, but I try to revel in the process. It's often about editing until something is just right or nearly so!

I also love seeing my work "out there" in the world making people happy in small ways - that is a true joy. I received an email from a store in Australia recently who had my fabric and couldn't wait to make the quilt that I designed. That was a treat.

What are your biggest challenges?

Balancing everything, and being patient! This is a gradual process and it takes a long time to build a brand. I am realizing that the artist is responsible for much of the marketing and promotion. It can be daunting but you just have to keep moving forward.


image via mrs schmenkman quilts

image via quiltville

Do you have anything new coming up that you would like to share?

I am working on a set of designs for a new fabric collection for launch some time in 2011. Stay tuned for updates. I am also working on other ideas for paper for Caspari. In addition to my fabric and paper designs, I'm collaborating on a house design with Miller Tilling, a sort of country loft which could become a signature look for us. We're working with 2 Cornell architecture students to formulate the design - it's a fun team.

I never cease to doodle and observe wherever I am for fresh ideas. Hope to get to a some large scaled oil painting this year... in my spare time!

Thank you, Felicity, for giving us a glimpse of your work and your life in this small town that we call home. Check back to meet more of our like minded neighbors and friends!

Blog Spotted in Portugal!

2011-02-02T08:56:00.000-05:00

We had to use Google Translate on this one. Check us out at A Violeta Danca, translated here.

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken You?

2011-01-05T09:16:00.000-05:00

Atlanta, GA

Here's a photo of my Aurora Shoes on the day after Christmas while visiting family in Atlanta. We got a couple inches of snow on Christmas evening, making it the first white Christmas that Atlanta has seen since the late 1800s.

Christmas night found us outside building a massive snowman with the cousins. We couldn't find a carrot or coal, but we did what we could with a bottle top, Hershey's kisses and yarn. The kids thought he was beautiful!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-21T11:42:00.001-05:00

The Aurora Shoe Company wishes you a very merry Christmas!

We'll be away from the shop from Friday, December 24th through Monday, January 3rd. We'll resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 4th. As always, phone calls and emails for appointments are welcome at any time.

Happy holidays and warm regards from me and ours to you and yours!

Santa Wears Aurora Shoes Too!

2010-12-20T07:49:00.002-05:00

Look closely and you'll see that Santa is not actually wearing boots, but is in fact wearing a pair of black Middle English Auroras instead.

As it turns out, Aurora's Santa-in-Residence is not a toy maker, but a shoe maker (don't tell the kiddos!).

The Value of Handmade

2010-12-14T11:35:00.001-05:00

What is the value of handmade? It's a question that many of us ask ourselves as we price our handmade goods or search for the perfect handmade gift. Monetary value can be broken down easily enough. Add the cost of materials, a decent hourly rate and you've got a number. Prices allow us to buy and sell, but do they really reflect the value of our goods?

When we buy handmade we're demonstrating a value that goes beyond price. To buy handmade is to invest in an art form, a way of life and a cultural ideal. It's to take part in a system that supports the individual, the artist and the entrepreneur in a society and an economic system that leans in the opposite direction.

At the Aurora Shoe Company we are proud to be a part of the handmade culture. Aurora Shoes are made with pride in Upstate New York using only American sourced materials. This means a lot in an age when many products are assembled under sub-standard or unregulated working conditions using materials that are often produced in even less desirable conditions. All of these materials and products travel great distances to finally make it onto the shelves of American shops where the shipping, import taxes and marketing costs result in products whose pricing does not reflect their quality.

At Aurora Shoe you pay for what you get: high quality materials, superior craftsmanship, serious comfort and a solid guarantee. You can see the Aurora Shoe production process for yourself by watching this video, filmed by a local newspaper about a year ago.

The next time you decide to spend your hard earned money, consider what you're investing in and look for the real value that isn't reflected in its price.

Meet the Neighbors - Bet the Farm

2010-11-29T09:58:00.007-05:00

We passionately support small business and handmade and local goods. As a follower of our blog, we thought that you might feel the same way. In our Meet the Neighbors series we're featuring businesses and people who reflect our own values and whom we feel lucky to call neighbors and friends.

Bet the Farm is one of those small shops that is the first (and often the last) place we look when it's time to buy a gift for someone we love. They're full of local products and most of them are edible, so we always know we're buying something that will be used and savored. With their new online shop it's now even easier to send the gift of local goods to friends and family everywhere.

We recently talked with Nancy Tisch, owner of Bet the Farm. We loved the way her passion for the business came through in her words, which we share undiluted here.

I saw on your website that you started the business in the fall of '06. How did you choose Aurora as your location?

I had worked at the Aurora Inn until fall of 2005. When the little yellow building was being vacated in summer of 2006, the Inn's General Manager suggested I think of a business to fit the space. I came up with the idea of filling the shelves with a selection of wines and foods.

Did you start the shop knowing that you would go on to produce your own wines, or was that decision made later?

To sell wine and food in the same space in New York - you have to make wine. At first, I thought that I would only make enough to maintain the operation as a special farm winery (only 100 gallons or about 45 cases). So, I knew I would produce some wine - but I didn't realize how much until I got into it and found out that it is something that I really enjoy! Sometimes I tell people that I found my inner winemaker.

Nancy's Bet the Farm label wines

What is your personal history with wine? How and when did you get into the business?

My personal history - well I began wine making in 2006 when I started the business. I was never a home winemaker. I have had a great mentor in Lou Damiani at Damiani Wine Cellars. My personal history with wine (i.e. consumption) goes back about thirty years. When I was in my early twenties - my friends and I drank a lot of good wine- mostly whites early on but within a few years we had moved on to reds too.

Nancy's wines are already winning awards

What percentage of your customer base would you say is local? How many are just passing through?

Hmmm... this is tough to answer. I would guess about 20% of our customer base is local (i.e. from the Village or the College). The others that are passing through (guests at the Aurora Inn for example) return year after year which is great! Then we draw a large portion of our customers from people who are out to visit wineries - they generally come from within a two-hour drive. So we see lots of folks from Endicott, Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Wilkes-Barre, Ithaca, Auburn to highlight a few.

Why do you think it is important for people to buy locally made products?

The biggest reason that it's important for people to buy locally is to provide support to local small businesses. I know that some wines are much less expensive than some of the wines that we sell - but think about it - where do those dollars go? Large corporations, overseas producers. If we don't support the local businesses (something that we pride ourselves in doing by purchasing all of our products from small start-up food processors, local chefs, small wineries etc.) our hard-earned money leaves the area.

What are your favorite parts of this business?

I really love the winemaking aspect - it allows me to use my scientific background to create something that is like a work of art. At the finishing stages of winemaking - we tweak it in a number of ways (fining, blending, sweetening) so that the public will smell and taste the best possible wine. I also like the multi-faceted nature of running a business, from making the wine to doing the marketing and bookkeeping - even cleaning the building.

What are some of your biggest challenges?

There's always a lot to do - even when you hit the slower months, it seems like there is still planning for the next step.

Do you have any future plans or upcoming events or programs that you'd like to share?

Dec 3 - 5 - we have special sale on gift baskets- all baskets are at a 15% discount.

Dec 10th - we'll have special sale again for Christmas in Aurora.

This February - we'll have our fourth annual Juvenile Oenophile - an introduction to wine appreciation. This will be a five part introduction to wine with topics that include history of winemaking, sensory perception, flavor components of wine and a field trip to Damiani Wine Cellars and vineyards.

Back in early September, we stopped in and Mark was kind enough to agree to an Aurora Shoe photo shoot (a neighbor to our shop, Mark works at Bet the Farm and has been wearing our shoes for years). It's not easy to pair shoes and wine in a photo...

Thanks, Mark!

Bet the Farm is located on Main Street in Aurora, NY. Visit Bet the Farm's website to learn more about their shop and their great local products, programs and classes.

Check back soon to meet more of our friends and neighbors!

Aurora Shoe Gift Certificates

2010-11-24T14:37:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again. For those who are looking for a unique handmade gift, but don't want to get the sizing wrong, we're offering handmade Aurora Shoe gift certificates.

Cut from our sole leather, the certificates are hand printed and look great popping out of an envelope or hanging on a tree. Contact us by Friday, December 17th to receive your gift certificate before Christmas. And if you mention this post, we'll happily provide free shipping on your gift certificate order.

Happy Holidays!

Weekending

2010-11-12T12:02:00.006-05:00

This is what weekends were looking like in September and October - lots of cider pressing, with apples and sunshine everywhere. The apples are now gone, but we're looking forward to a beautiful and sunny November weekend in the Aurora area. We hope you're in for some good weather too!

Our very local farmers market wrapped up its second season

Dave revealed his hidden talents (watch out, Hilby!)

Doughnuts were made

and apples were pressed on multiple occasions

Fun memories were created and local traditions were observed.

What will YOUR weekend look like?

Bpeace Comes to Aurora

2010-11-02T13:05:00.001-04:00

Bpeace is a non-profit network of business professionals who volunteer their skills to entrepreneurs in conflict affected countries. Their mission is to help create significant employment for all and to expand the economic power of women. You can view a short video produced by Bpeace here.

On Friday we were excited to host a young Bpeace entrepreneur named Shahla Akbari from Afghanistan. Shahla lives in Kabul and manages a small shoe company of her own there, called the Afghan Women Inventive Co. All of Shahla's shoes are handmade in her small factory in the traditional way which happens to require separate working spaces for women and men and back-up generators for the frequent power outages that occur in her war torn city.

While their working conditions are quite different, Dave and Shahla found many similarities in their shoemaking methods and had a laugh when they thought about the irony of their opposing goals. While Dave is committed to continuing the handmade tradition, which is a rarity here, Shahla is looking to add more mechanization, a rarity there.

We really enjoyed meeting Shahla and were inspired by her story and her determination to forge ahead in the face of so much adversity. You can read more about Shahla's visit to the area here and can learn more about Bpeace and how to become involved with this important organization here.

A reporter and photographer from the local paper were on hand during Shahla's visit. You can read their article here.

Aurora Shoes in Greece

2010-10-27T08:12:00.001-04:00

Emory Buck was enjoying the Acropolis in his Auroras yesterday. Just look at that sunshine!

Where are your Aurora Shoes taking YOU?

Aurora Shoes in England

2010-10-22T08:47:00.002-04:00

London

London Bridge with London fog and London rain - Drenched from head but not

to toe ('cause those were toasty and warm in my Auroras!!!)

- Jessie D.

Where have your Aurora Shoes taken you?

Blog Spotted @ Dinosaur Dry Goods

2010-10-18T12:47:00.000-04:00

Jackie, owner of the local Dinosaur Dry Goods (a great place to buy new and gently used clothing and more) posted about her summer antiquing adventures with Aurora Shoes. We love seeing our shoes on feet here, there and everywhere. Thanks, Jackie, for sharing the ASC love!

You can find Dinosaur Dry Goods on Etsy here

visit her blog here.

Blog Spotted in Japan

2010-10-13T11:38:00.000-04:00

We knew our shoes were popular in Japan, but Dave was still a little surprised when he stumbled upon this blog post by Japanese designer, Yusuke Hanai. Intrigued, Dave contacted Yusuke and traded him a pair of shoes for a few sketches. Here's what Yusuke sent. Fun, right?

When we contacted Yusuki to get permission for this post, he graciously allowed us to also share these photos from his wedding. Did you see his feet? Apparently Bill is not the only guy who likes to pair his tuxedo with Auroras!

We dig the look. Do you?

Visit Yusuke Hanai's website and blog to see more of his work. The blog is mostly in Japanese, but interesting photos and great illustrations need no translation.

Our Production Process

2010-10-09T18:29:00.001-04:00

Did you know that there are more than 50 steps in our shoe production process? Shoe making is an art and we're proud to be a part of it. Watch how we do it here.

Blog Spotted at Poppytalk

2010-10-07T15:54:00.000-04:00

1. Millie Dress, Tangente
2. Tank Top, Tangente
3. Madame Stack Rings, Kristy Lin
4. New Mexican Sandals, Aurora Shoe Co.

Thanks to Sally, we've been spotted again. Check us out at Poppytalk!

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2010-09-22T11:04:00.006-04:00

Venice, Italy

Kathy Kramer recently sent us a couple of photos from her trip to Venice last November. We love her comments and had to share them as written (we agree that face photos are totally overrated). She writes:

It is so funny that you are featuring photos on your site, and that I have a suitable photograph for that; I was not at the time intending especially to take a picture of my shoes but to take a picture in protest of always having to display one's face and upper torso (a little bit grumpy at the time). I was sitting on the balcony of the Peggy Guggenheim Museum overlooking the Grand Canal. I attach another photograph showing a wider view of the balcony and canal: you can probably recognize the same iron work.

Thanks for sharing, Kathy.

Where have your Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

Aurora Shoes in Hong Kong

2010-09-07T08:03:00.002-04:00

Hong Kong

The Aurora Shoe:
On a dark, dark Hong Kong night,

in the middle of a Black Rain,

the 14 year old 'little black shoe' held up!

-Victoria de Leon

Where have your Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

To Market, To Market

2010-08-31T15:42:00.000-04:00

We're excited to share that the Aurora Shoe Company has been selected as a featured business at the Poppytalk Handmade Marketplace. Check out our virtual table and all of the other handmade and vintage goodness that surrounds us. Visit the Poppytalk blog later this month to read our post about the value of buying locally sourced and handmade products.

What's Your Style?

2010-08-23T09:18:00.004-04:00

image via lillyella

We've been poking around on the internet again and spotted this great blog dedicated to the unique and the handmade. Nicole of Lillyella accepts regular style submissions for an ongoing blog segment she calls "Couture du Jour". We were flattered to see our shoes highlighted in this submission by Sally from the popular Etsy shop, Night Owl Craft Works. We love the outfit Sally has put together and especially like the way it features natural leather in the bag and shoes.

We like to think that our simple styling lends itself to a variety of fashions. What do you wear with your Auroras?

Share your Aurora Shoe style by sending a photo or a collage like the one above to aurorashoealyssa(at)gmail.com.

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken You?

2010-08-13T18:51:00.000-04:00

Costal Maine and Rhode Island

It was a great week-long vacation full of fresh seafood

days spent at the beach

and lots of fun with family and friends.

So much fun that I didn't think to photograph my shoes until part way through the long ride home.

Go figure...

Style Blog Spotting

2010-08-05T08:49:00.000-04:00


via Mister Mort

A sweet customer stopped in and bought a few pairs of our Middle English shoes the other day - navy for herself, brown for her boyfriend, and another pair for Mister Mort, the San Francisco based style blogger. He spotted our shoes on a furniture dealer at a Paris flea market last fall. Check it out here.

Let's Talk About Leather

2010-07-30T14:34:00.111-04:00

If you wear Aurora Shoes then you know that the secret to our shoes' comfort lies mostly in our high quality leather. We don't mean to downplay the importance of good design and solid soles, but if the top leather wasn't thick and supple enough to stretch like it does, we'd be making an entirely different kind of shoe.

A sampling of our gorgeous leather awaiting straps and buckles

As you probably know, we pride ourselves on using locally sourced materials. While Chicago may not sound very local to our fellow Central New Yorkers, it's just about as local as it gets in manufacturing these days. Local enough in fact for Dave to plan a family road trip to visit the Horween Leather Company over the 4th of July weekend. Dave enjoyed touring the factory and returned home with a renewed appreciation for the fine work that Horween does.

image via Horween.com

The Horween Leather Company was founded in 1905 and is one of the oldest continuously running tanneries in the United States. Having started in the heyday of Chicago's meat packing industry, Horween is the only remaining tannery in the city today and is now in its 4th generation of family ownership.

Dave's view of the Cordovan Floor

In the leather industry Horween has become synonymous with quality. They supply the only leather used to make NFL footballs and NBA basketballs. We love using Horween's Chromexcel leather because it's the best we can find. Like us, Horween understands that compromising on quality is not an option. While perusing their website, the quote below struck a chord and reminds us of our own shoe making philosophy:

"As tanneries go we're not the biggest, the fastest or the cheapest, which means we need to be the best. Our business is built on doing things other people don't, won't or can't."
Arnold Horween Jr.
President, 1983 - 2003

Arnold Horween Jr. via Horween.com

Horween's dedication to producing the finest leather for our shoes requires mature hides, top quality ingredients (food grade beef tallow, cosmetic grade beeswax and tree bark to name a few) and plenty of time. It takes 28 production days to create the supple, weather resistant leather that we purchase.

Chromexcel leather air drying via Horween.com

When I asked Dave what part of his visit made the biggest impression, he focused on the amount of skill that leather production required and the attention to detail that Horween displayed throughout its production process. We pride ourselves on the craftsmanship that goes into the making of our shoes and are glad to be working with the Horween Leather Company.

You can read more about Horween on their website or at their blog.

A Very Special Pair of Shoes

2010-07-26T09:56:00.000-04:00

Dave's daughter, Reagan celebrated her first birthday over the weekend. Can you guess what her shoemaker daddy made to mark the occasion?

That's right, a tiny pair of leather shoes! Modeled after her mommy's West Indians, Reagan's shoes are a big hit. This blogger would like to see more handmade shoes for little feet. Would you?

Where have your Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

2010-07-19T16:00:00.000-04:00

Chicago

This little cutie is Dave's almost-one-year-old daughter, Reagan standing with a little support from her Aurora Shoe clad mama on a family trip to Chicago last week. She took her first few steps yesterday and is going to be running around before they know it!

Dave and his famiy were in Chicago to check out our leather supplier, the Horween Leather Company. Check back later in the week to learn more about what Dave saw and why he loves working with this classic American leather company.

Feeling Hot, Hot Hot!

2010-07-13T17:07:00.000-04:00

It's been a hot and humid couple of weeks around Aurora. We feel lucky to have Cayuga Lake just down the road. When you're hot and sticky there's nothing better than a dip in the lake.

How do you cool off when summer really arrives?

Meet Aurora Shoe Co. Founder, Mary Jane Dann

2010-06-25T11:49:00.002-04:00

If you have had the pleasure of meeting Mary Jane (or MJ as she’s known around here) then you know she’s an eclectic woman. When I met with MJ to collect information for this post, she was open and friendly and willing to share way more information than I could ever fit into one cohesive story. Suffice it to say that the Aurora Shoe Company has come to where it is today through many personal connections, a few professional ones and a lot of positive lip service. Add to that 20 years of dedicated hard work, and you’ll see why MJ’s life still revolves around this small shoe company that she started all those years ago.

MJ’s step into the shoe business dates back to the 1980s when she worked at the ski school at Greek Peak, a small resort about an hour south of Aurora. MJ worked with the wife of George Shurman, owner of a leather goods store in Ithaca. When George left for a new life in New Mexico he coaxed MJ off the slopes and into a management position in his store. One thing led to another and after a few years, MJ and George decided to create a new venture, this time producing handmade leather shoes based on purchased patterns from a Michigan shoe maker. George was able to put his Cornell Anthropology education to work designing simple machinery, streamlining the shoemaking process just enough to make it a profitable proposition. MJ worked on finding a location and says she was lured to Aurora by her Wells Alumnae friends (the lake views, local wineries and sunsets might have had a bit of pull too).

In 1991 MJ moved into the area and the Aurora Shoe Company was up and running in the 3rd story of an old school, now known as the Heary Building, on Main Street in Aurora. The operation had three employees, MJ and Bill being two of them. Aurora Shoes enjoyed quick popularity in the local area thanks to Wells College students and the local community. People enjoyed the simple styling and the comfort and felt good about supporting such a local and high quality handmade product . When the Wells women wore their shoes home, other communities became aware of them and the following grew. This awareness spread throughout the US and caught the eye of a boutique owner in Japan who continues to buy shoes for distribution in Japan today. By the late 1990s demand had grown to a point where a larger production space was desperately needed.

In 1997 MJ made the decision to move the Aurora Shoe Company to its current location, just a few miles south of the village of Aurora. The new location offered lots of space, room for new employees, space for the shop pets to roam and a nice new perk - off street parking. She was able to increase her staff to a total of 8 employees including herself and the company has retained a staff of the same size ever since.

Over the years the Aurora Shoe company has seen several people come and go, including MJ’s daughter, Cassie who enjoyed contributing to the family business for a couple of years after her own Wells College graduation. MJ sold the company to Dave a year and a half ago, but she has chosen to stay on, providing continuity, stability, quality control and a good dose of sarcastic humor. The “mother” of the group, she’s also been personally responsible for keeping the shop pets fed and happy and for supplying the seasonal and holiday cheer. She’s quirky and fun, but also straightforward and sincere - all qualities that have infused themselves into the Aurora Shoe Company under MJ’s management. If you ask MJ, she’ll tell you she’s in no rush to retire. She loves the local area and is saving up for her “year-long world tour”. She won’t say when or where she’s going after her time here is up, but knowing MJ, it’s sure to be an adventure!

Aurora Shoes in Washington, DC

2010-05-21T15:39:00.000-04:00

We loved this great shot of Aurora Shoes in our nation's capitol. Pete, the shoe's owner and a local transplant living in DC writes, "I've outfitted several of my friends from college with Aurora Shoes, and they've taken them all around the world, as have mine".

Thanks for sharing, Pete!

Where have YOUR Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2010-04-19T09:57:00.003-04:00

San Francisco, CA

Sara, a Wells alum and long time Aurora Shoe wearer writes:

"Here's a recent picture of my Aurora Shoes in San Francisco- that's the Bay Bridge. These shoes have been to Spain, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Bahamas, St. Maarten, St. John and probably a couple of other places I've forgotten.

I bought my Aurora shoes in 1994 before heading to Spain for a Wells semester abroad the spring of my sophomore year. They are size 5.5 EEE with custom straps because the tops of my feet are really tall. I've only had them resoled once in those 16 years".

Sara Floor Miller, Wells Class of 1997, current resident of Sacramento, CA

Thanks for sharing, Sara - those are some very well traveled shoes! Where have YOUR Auroras taken YOU?

Shoe Spotting in Japan

2010-04-13T15:25:00.002-04:00

Dave has been on exchange in Japan since the end of March. He hasn't had many opportunities to email, but has found the time to share some photos of his journey.

As you may know, Aurora Shoes have become very popular in Japan. We all wondered if he'd spot many while there. If these photos are any indication, they're not very hard to find.

It's customary to remove one's shoes before entering a temple or a home in Japan. Lucky for Dave, this eliminates the need for awkward translations such as, "Would it be OK to photograph your feet?"

We're guessing this is Dave's own foot with the Hello Kitty sidewalk tile.

Meet Bill

2010-04-10T15:35:00.001-04:00

As we near the end of our Meet the Staff series, we'd like to introduce you to a member of the original 3 person crew. Bill came into this business at the very beginning and has been with us ever since. He's a guy of many talents (not just around here, as you'll see below) and a person whom the Aurora Shoe Company definitely wouldn't be the same without.

Bill grew up on a farm in Aurora and has lived in this area his whole life. In addition to his nearly 20 years at Aurora Shoe, Bill is also known around these parts as a honeybee keeper, a steam powered sawmill operator (built with his dad back in 1973), a squire for Paragon Jousting and most notably, as a driver of the Wells College owned Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

Bill, his dad and their horses have been pulling the Wells stagecoach since the late 1960s

Take it from Bill, nothing looks better with a tux than a well polished pair of Middle English shoes!

It's safe to say that Bill is a man of varied interests and abilities. Around the shop he can be seen performing and enjoying all but a few of the nearly 50 steps that go into producing a single pair of Aurora Shoes. He's especially skilled at the difficult task of attaching the soles and estimates that he's done about 200,000 pairs.

When asked what he likes most about Aurora Shoes, Bill cited the difficulty he'd had finding shoes to fit his 11 and 1/2 EEEE (SUPER wide) sized feet. It was a joy and a relief when Bill found that the leather in our 11 and a 1/2 D width shoes stretched beautifully to comfortably accommodate his hard to fit feet.

With so many other talents and hobbies, we feel lucky to have had Bill around for all these years. What do you think, Bill - are you up for 20 more?

Check back next week to meet the staff member who founded the Aurora Shoe Company!

Shine those Shoes up for Spring

2010-03-31T12:25:00.003-04:00

If you're like us, you're finding yourself with muddy shoes more often than you'd like. Next time you stoop to wipe the mud off, why not give them a quick polish too? Regular polishing with natural oils keeps the leather in our shoes soft and supple and helps them to retain their shape and luster.

Here's a quick before and after of my oldest pair of Aurora Shoes. Can you believe I've been wearing these puppies since 1996? After a long and snowy winter spent hibernating in my closet, these shoes were ready to come out and get some shoe shine love.

Darker, shinier and so much softer!

And who can shine their shoes without thinking about this Johnny Cash song? Just try not to bounce while listening - impossible!

An All American Send Off

2010-03-29T18:17:00.002-04:00

Dave departed for his month long trip to Japan on Saturday afternoon and arrived safely in Osaka this morning. In true Binns family fashion, he was treated to a Friday night farewell dinner of pizza and wings.

We hear he was greeted in Osaka with sushi.

images via Inventor Spot

I bet it wasn't Obama face sushi. Now THAT would have been a warm (and totally hysterical) welcome!

Click on Journey to Japan in the sidebar to learn more about what Dave and his colleagues are up to on the other side of the world.

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2010-03-12T09:46:00.000-05:00

Dave's sister-in-law, Melissa shared these photos of herself wearing her Auroras while working on project at MacKenzie-Childs, a local business specializing in hand painted ceramics and home decor. If you have never heard of MacKenzie-Childs, or have never seen it with your own eyes, then make the trip to Aurora and check it out.

As Melissa shares, these benches are being painted for a community arts and fundraising project called Benches on Parade. The bench Melissa is working on will be used as a fundraiser at the Equicenter in Rochester, NY. The Equicenter is a volunteer based therapeutic horse center, benefiting people of all ages with disabilities and at-risk youth.

Thanks for sharing, Melissa! Where have YOUR Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

Check Us Out @ The Green Phone Booth

2010-03-03T12:08:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you stumble upon something that makes you feel great and you want to share it. We found ourselves mentioned on a great eco-blog called The Green Phone Booth. Read their thoughts on why Aurora Shoes are worth buying here.

In a time where planned obsolescence is the norm, we take pride in making shoes in classic styles that last and that only feel better with age.

Dave Prepares to say Sayonara!

2010-02-25T13:31:00.001-05:00

A street shot of Osaka, where Dave will be heading in March

Several months ago Dave was one of five young New York professionals chosen to take part in a Group Study Exchange hosted by Rotary International. He has been attending meetings and attempting to learn basic language skills in preparation for a four week trip to Japan. While in Japan, Dave will stay with a Japanese host family and will be meeting with many people working in the shoe industry there. In addition to these vocational visits, he'll also participate in social events, cultural and site tours and will be expected to participate in several group presentations, sharing Central New York culture with Japanese Rotarians.

Dave departs on March 27th, but one of his colleagues has already started a blog to share her thoughts on the journey. You'll see it linked on our sidebar from now until the trip has concluded and we encourage you to take a peek and see what Dave and his colleagues are up to. Of course, Dave will also send us his own updates from time to time and we'll be sure to share those as they come in.

As many of you know, our shoes have been quite popular in Japan for some time now. We can't wait to see if Dave spots any Aurora Shoes on the streets and we are definitely expecting a photo of his feet in Auroras on the other side of the world!

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2010-02-17T09:03:00.002-05:00

Cupertino, California

We received this photo from Linda in Palo Alto, California and couldn't wait to share it. She writes, "Since I got my new shoes I've worn them daily! I've decided to buy only one more pair in black and they will be officially the only shoes I wear".

This picture of Linda's feet was taken while hiking at the Stevens Creek Reservoir in Cupertino, California. Don't you just want to be lounging in that sunlight too? In Aurora we're surrounded by gray skies and snow, so this already beautiful picture looks especially wonderful. Thank you, Linda, for sharing your gorgeous photograph.

Where have YOUR Aurora Shoes taken YOU?

Meet Jesse

2010-02-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Jesse has been with Aurora Shoe for more than a decade. In that time he has become the resident expert at turning pieces of wrinkly leather into perfectly formed shoes that hold a shape and invite your feet to enter. This process, called "wet forming" is one of the most unique steps in our shoes' production. While most shoe makers form their shoes on a last, Jesse shapes ours by hand, leaving enough stretch for your feet to complete the final fitting.

After dipping each shoe into a warm water bath, Jesse uses a 5 pound shaping tool and smooths the leather, pushing the uppers and heel cups into place. After the shoes are shaped they are sent to the drying rack where they await straps, buckles and a final trimming. Many of our shoes will never see this shaping tool again, but if you're lucky enough to be fitted in our shop, you just might see us using it to stretch the leather a bit further, making for a more comfortable fit at the start.

It makes a difference, huh?

Jesse hasn't always been a shoe craftsman. Before joining the Aurora Shoe team, Jesse spent most of his adult years working on a small local dairy farm. He's been known to say that while he enjoyed farming very much, it is nice to be working inside, and out of the elements. It's pretty cold here in upstate NY (we were in single digits over the weekend) so we can't say that we blame him!

Many people also know Jesse as one of the moral pillars of our community. He spent several years volunteering his time as a Sunday school teacher and is one of the kindest, most honest and hard-working men you could ever meet. We feel honored to know and work with Jesse and hope that you enjoyed "meeting" him as well.

Check back to meet more of the personalities behind our shoes!

Hello, Brian!

2010-01-28T09:59:00.000-05:00

Having worked at Aurora Shoe for just over 6 months, Brian is one of our newest employees. He brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to his work and is always ready to learn a new job. So far, Brian has been responsible for many of the smaller tasks in our shoe-making process. He does a lot of the gluing, the lacing and is a hole-poker extraordinaire, punching small holes in our shoe straps as well as marking holes on the insoles (these allow the uppers to be properly aligned before the shoes are sewn together).

Brian came to us after returning to the area, having spent many years in the truss manufacturing industry in North Carolina. He is originally from the Aurora area and is very proud to be a part of the Aurora Shoe team.

A chatty and friendly guy, Brian is frequently heard cracking jokes and can bring even the quietest of our staff out of their shells. His favorite topic seems to be sports, and lately football (Go Cowboys!). Like Bob, Brian is the kind of guy who loves to bring in snacks for everyone (though we should really be thanking his wife for those). We've come to count on frequent batches of banana bread and fudge to keeping everyone sufficiently sweetened.

Check back to meet more of our staff!

Simplicity

2010-01-19T17:23:00.000-05:00

The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.

Walt Whitman

Say Hello to Randy

2010-01-07T16:21:00.002-05:00

Remember when I said that some of our staff are a little camera shy? Well some of our staff are VERY camera shy. Randy preferred to stay out of his photo all together, so we decided to give you a sample of his work instead.

This is photo demonstrates one of Randy's favorite tasks - gluing-up midsoles. It's a bit harder than it looks, as the leather arrives with marks and brands that have to be worked around. When he's not gluing insoles, Randy can be found roughing the edges of the top leather and midsole leather, preparing them to be glued and then sewn together.

Randy is a creature of habit and enjoys routine and repetition. He quietly plugs away at his tasks and is very hardworking and dependable. Most people would describe Randy as quiet and reserved, but we at Aurora Shoe know him as a pretty witty guy who breaks the silence to crack a joke or to share one of the many interesting factoids he's got logged away in his computer-like memory. Having worked at Aurora Shoe since 1998, Randy can even tell you the month and year that most of our staff started. How many people can do that (we know we have a small staff, but still!)?

Randy is one of a kind and we're so glad to have him!

Check back to meet more of the personalities behind Aurora Shoes.

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2010-01-04T08:43:00.000-05:00

Christmas at Yosemite

We love our Aurora Shoes and they go with us everywhere. This winter we were in Yosemite and took this picture on Christmas Day, 2009 at Inspiration Point. We can't imagine Christmas without our favorite things and that includes Aurora Shoes, Yosemite and camping in our 1968 Airstream Caravel. Elena does't wear any other shoes. She might try on other brands, but trades them for her Auroras. No other shoes are as comfortable or authentic as Auroras.

- Elena Capella and Larry Wendell

Where have your Aurora Shoes taken YOU? Send us your photos and stories!

Our New Look

2010-01-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

There's something invigorating about giving yourself a new look. Whether it's a new wardrobe, a new coat, or just a new haircut, the newness inspires fresh feelings and new ideas.

After 20 years of business, we thought it was high time for Aurora Shoe to have a real logo. We did a lot of thinking, asked a lot of questions, and hired a really great designer to work with us in coming up with something that represented our shoes and our company in a straightforward way. We're excited to share our new logo with you and hope you'll agree that it's a perfect fit.

Here's to a new year full of fresh ideas and wonderful possibilities!

*

2009-12-18T11:02:00.001-05:00

HOLIDAY HOURS
The Aurora Shoe Company will be closed for Christmas and the New Year. During this time, Dave is happy to open the shop by appointment. See his contact information below.

CLOSED

Monday, December 21 - Friday, December 25

Thursday, December 31 - Friday, January 1

REGULAR HOURS

These are our normal shop hours. As always, Dave is happy to meet with you by appointment.

Monday - Friday

Noon - 4 PM

*

To schedule an appointment, contact Dave: info@aurorashoeco.com
shop: 315.364.7892 ........................cell: 315.237.1192

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2009-12-17T10:57:00.007-05:00

Island Woman

Elania McCartney shared these great photos from her trip to Culebra, an island off the coast of Puerto Rico.

See that cute little foot propped on the wheel well?

Open Some Days Closed Others. Now that's a relaxed lifestyle!

Thanks for sharing, Elania. You've got us wanting to hop a plane and escape this NY winter for a while!

Meet Maggie

2009-12-15T11:40:00.004-05:00

Though she can be funny and sarcastic, when it comes to work, Maggie doesn't mess around.

Having worked at Aurora Shoe for about 10 years, Maggie knows nearly everything about our shoes and how to make them. She is an expert at one of our most dreaded and detailed steps and can be seen doing just that below.

See that look of concentration? Sewing triangles is tricky.

When she's not making shoes or fitting customers at the shop, Maggie is enjoying her "country quiet" and some of the simple pleasures this area affords. In her time away from Aurora Shoe, Maggie loves walking, drinking local wine and reading (hobbies that can work in combination, as you can see below).

Relaxing at Home - photo by Jessica S.

Yep, she wears her "15 or so" pairs of Aurora Shoes everywhere. She's also turned her family into proud Aurora Shoe wearers. That's some serious Aurora Shoe love!

We love Maggie's dedication, her attention to detail and her enthusiasm for our shoes. Maggie is serious about her work, but doesn't take herself too seriously and Aurora Shoe wouldn't be the same without her.

Check back to meet more of the personalities behind our shoes!

Looking for the Perfect Holiday Gift?

2009-12-11T15:00:00.000-05:00

We've had a few inquiries about gift certificates and want you to know that if you're still searching for the perfect holiday gift, we've got you covered.

Aurora Shoe is now offering personalized gift certificates. Hand lettered onto insole shaped pieces of leather, they're unique and fun. Contact us by Friday, December 18th to receive your certificate by Christmas.

Check us Out @ Ped Shoes

2009-12-08T11:26:00.004-05:00

We are happy to announce a special re-connection that we've recently made with Ped, an online retailer of European and American handmade shoes, boots, handbags, jewelry and other treasures.

Photo courtesy of pedshoes.com

Here's what Ped has to say about the products they carry:

At Ped, we don't chase fashion, and we don't follow trends. We choose styles we like and wear ourselves. The things we carry are timeless yet contemporary and are always handcrafted from the finest materials, often using centuries-old techniques that ensure items are of heirloom quality and can be passed from one generation to the next.

Here at Ped we talk about "price per wear". The shoes we carry will last a lifetime. They're literally handmade and can be worn and worn, and then worn some more. If and when they seem like they can go no further, a simple re-soling and treatment with a leather care product will give them new life.

Our unique relationship with Ped goes back to the early 1990s when both of our businesses were getting started. Ped Founder, Dayna Grubb discovered our shoes while running her first retail boutique in Seattle - we're proud to share that we were one of the first collections the store carried.

The relationship became personal when Dayna and MJ (the founder of Aurora Shoes, who is still with us) discovered that MJ and Dayna's life partner, Terry Stotz, had worked together at the local ski resort, Greek Peak. As MJ says, "The friendship was instant. Dayna is a great business woman, and they're just really nice people. We've always had a great relationship with them".

Photo courtesy of Pedshoes.com

We're so glad to be working with Ped again and hope that you'll check out the other fine handmade products they offer. As they say on their site, the styles at Ped only get better with time and they definitely have soul.

Off with Pointy Shoes!

2009-12-02T10:17:00.006-05:00

We thought you might like to get a closer look at our angry little elf. His sign reads: On Strike! Off with Pointy Shoes. We couldn't agree more. Give those toes some wiggle room!

Meet Cheryl

2009-12-01T14:02:00.011-05:00

Cheryl is a bit camera shy. Actually, a lot of our staff is camera shy. In their defense, they had no idea when they signed up for this gig that we'd be posting them all over the internet - well, not all over, but you know what we mean...

These are Cheryl's hands. Her legs can be seen below. You'll just have to imagine the rest.

Cheryl, like Bob, is another staff member whose interests lie in working with her hands. She's an avid crafter who spends her time away from Aurora Shoe creating art cards, designing penny rugs, making miniature art quilts and knitting (we didn't know about art cards or penny rugs before meeting Cheryl, either).

At the shop we love Cheryl because she's a fast learner. Having just started in August of this year, Cheryl has had a lot to learn. She's always ready to take on a new challenge and is even willing to pose for goofy photo shoots - she's the one on the left (not the angry elf, but the legs).

We don't really have this much snow in Aurora yet. Dave just likes to play with Photoshop.

We love having Cheryl around because she works hard and is very easy to get along with. She enjoys making Aurora Shoes because they give her one more opportunity to work with her own two hands. What more could a handmade shoe company ask for?

Check back to meet more of the personalities behind Aurora Shoes

Where Have Your Aurora Shoes Taken YOU?

2009-11-24T14:40:00.002-05:00

Ahrus, Denmark Via Japan

Makiko Sugita of Japan, shared her beautiful photos from a trip to Denmark for Sankt Hans Aften, a Danish celebration that coincides with the summer solstice in late June. Celebrated since the time of the Vikings, this holiday traditionally includes bonfires on the beaches, good food and lots of merriment.

Makiko shares that she took off her shoes and then watched the spectacle

while soaking her feet in the sea.

Meet Bob

2009-11-23T17:00:00.006-05:00

Bob is probably the nicest curmudgeon you'll ever meet. He's the kind of guy who, when forced to miss work for a doctor's appointment, will bring back doughnuts for the entire shop. He's also the kind of guy who will stay later than usual to make up for worked missed. He has a serious eye for detail and is meticulous in his work. This may have something to do with Bob's other profession.

Though Bob has been with Aurora Shoe for over 10 years, his local reputation lies in his beautiful masonry work. A craftsman all his life, Bob's handwork can be seen in fireplaces, steps and stone walls all over the county. When Dave decided the factory needed a new sign, Bob was the first and only person he thought of.

We're proud to show off Bob's fine handwork on our sign and in our shoes.

Check back to meet more of the heads, hearts and hands behind Aurora Shoes.