I started listening to the pod on and off once I saw Amara’s interview on there, and it’s been really kind of validating to hear so many interviews where shoemakers say they felt they didn’t really know what they were doing for the first 5-10 years. But I don’t feel like I understand the discord or the community part - it seems like that’s maybe for buyers, not makers? Are any of yall in there and if so are you meeting other makers and getting good tips?
1 Like
Yes, there are indeed a number of makers, hobby and pro, in the #cordwaning channel of the Discord server.
I’ve been a member for a while. I don’t mind paying to support the podcast, and I’ve definitely got some good tips in the chat, as a bonus.
It does make me sad how much knowledge ends up there behind a paywall. Nothing’s really organized, searching for something you think you saw before can feel like crawling around on the floor looking for a needle you dropped, and the multiple-streams-of-consciousness format isn’t my favorite.
If you can afford the small monthly fee and a chat channel fits your lifestyle, I’d definitely encourage you to give it a shot.
1 Like
There is also a shormaking channel on the leatherworking discord, although its a little sparsely populated. Mostly its people getting advice from “rushton” a mystery employee at Graziano and Girling, although that has a lot of value in itself. And is free.
Reddit cordwaining is another place where there is good but disorganized info. More nonsense there like people asking if a shoe can be fixed or what kind of leather is this, and more peanut gallery comments and occasional flaming, and more confidently stated bad advice without anyone bothering to correct them. And discussions dont always go as in depth because the thread structure doesnt make it feel much like a conversation. Not as close-knit i think. But also a lot of neat shoes, a few informative posts, a broader variety of styles and some real experimental stuff. And before discord was a hotbed for now-big time makers like Lars of Ostmo, Nathan Florsheim, Mikhail Bliskavka of Arno etc. I enjoyed finding their usernames and looking at their old posts when they were discussing fundamentals
If you want to network with other independent makers I also dont think there is any current substitute for the Stitchdown boot camp. It’s primarily focused on buyers but its also a tradeshow for makers with tanneries present (and tom carbone came last year if looking to discuss tools.) they did classes last year on things like inseaming and this year the chicago school of shoemaking will be puttibg on tbd workshops. And there is an attavhed facilitated makers meetup. So despite Stitchdown being founded as a consumer focused podcast And publication it’s really also become the unofficial trade organization for independent shoemakers in the US
1 Like
So, the stitchdown discord has been pretty instrumental for me.
Guys like Dave @ Oldspeed, Mikhail @ arno, @thenewreligion, and a whole host of others have been incredibly helpful, and generous with advice as ive stumbled into the craft.
For me, its 100% worth the price of admission; its got its quiet moments, but theres an incredible amount of good info in there, and a significant number of talented folks who are endlessly helpful to just about everybody who asks a question. Its an awesome network of a great group of folks; its got me real excited to put some names to faces at bootcamp this year.
R/Leathercraft is also great, but yeah, for the most part, the vast majority of recent conversations have just been Rushton and i in the shoemaking channel.
2 Likes
Thanks yall! I confess I was looking to bail from discord and delete my account so this is not convenient but I’ll consider just rolling over to a new account if you think it’s worth it. Is the meetup in Brooklyn in October? I could at least save the date to make it out for that.
1 Like