April 3, 2012 
Oooh Ooooh!!!!
I am sooooo excited right now.
I shall be making a client two pair of ballet heels, from pointe shoes. YAY!!!!
Having made the glittery girls, and them being of such a success, I went back and got another pair of pointes, some leather, glue, staples etc etc and started on my next project…off white, knee high boots with an Edwardian feel.
I am sure that someone somewhere in the dark history of shoes, has tried to shove a heel on the back of a pointe shoe.
The idea isn’t obviously new, due to the availability of cheap leather and “plastic-fantastics” all over the internet. I think the problem with the overall design (apart from the cheap construction and materials) is that the designer doesn’t wear them; and therefore doesn’t have a clue as to how a great ballet heel for walking should even start.
It is true there is not an original thought – and parallel “inventing” goes on all the time. Need causes inventions, or perceived need, anyway. Who would have thought a backwards blanket with arms would have taken off like it did???
So, I do not claim the idea; just the method. :-P The welt and shank are hand made from leather…I showed the tutorial in an earlier entry. Finally got to use them…lol I actually forgot that I’d made them; and was going to make another set, when I found them slipped away in the craft cupboard. I’ve forced the “enpointe” angle in these ones to be the most extreme; I need a 9″ heel underneath these ones… 
. My size 37 ballet heels are a lot shorter than that… I cut the leather to fit my legs, exactly…they have an outer “flap” that will button up with brass buttons on the outer side. I will either add mink or some white faux fur. Tolstoy‘s Anna Karenina inspires me.
So, I’ve affixed the leather upper to the pointe shoe skeleton. I have a lot of work to do, and quite frankly I need to be better organised. This was a “let’s see what happens if I do this..” so it’s trial by error to be honest.
Will have them done in the next week or so, I imagine, and will do an outdoor test run with them…so sick of being inside.
Have a great day
Suzanne x
Wow, Suzanne That particular length and style of boot tailored to fit should be quite exciting indeed! Cannot wait for the video
I think that the heel came about because it was an extreme of heel rather than an addition to a pointe shoe. As the heel has a sexual echo in the penis, the longer the heel, the more sexual the effect. The ballet heel was therefore the ultimate display of this. There was also a lot of sexuality surrounding the hobbling of the women – the higher the heel, the less able the woman is to run away from the man. Again, the ballet heel allowed for very little running – indeed, it is almost unheard of to see a model actually stand in the heels, let alone walk. Most often they lean against something or are pictured lying down.
Which leads to the second reason that no one makes a ballet show without a heel. I would hazard that you are the most able person in the world at walking in ballet shoes. The mistress of the planet! Thus, there isn’t much inspiration for a shoe that cannot normally be used to walk and does not display a penis. Inspiration, that is, for the predominantly male designers of shoes…
You go girl!
Thank you for your comment.
It’s absolutely true about the heel, “the sex is in the heel” says Lola!
The heel-less pilot test was interesting save for the fact the boot couldn’t support me in the end (too big) but as far as a hobbling boot, it’s the ultimate as a wearer. No heel to rest back on – constantly on the toes. Could get rather tiring if one was not allowed to sit down.
Oh, I’ll keep on playing around with concepts for shoes for a little while yet. I think I’ve really only gotten started!!!
Can’t wait to show these ones..I’ve started to add the buttons, the front “flap” is on and I’m like Perceval when he looked into the Holy Grail (after he was told not to) or something…as they are developing before my eyes, I can’t quite believe what I’m seeing!
Lovely boots!
At the urging of my sonm, I am wearing shoes and boots with very high heels.
I took a lot of ballet classes and really like the ballet boots.
Don’t know if I could wear them like you.
You have such grace and balance with or without your heels!!
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia
It’s great you’re wearing the very high heels. The ballets are a different animal all together but definitely worth a try out…
These are lovely!!! as I’m a Ballet Dancer/teacher, these just gave me great inspiration!!! would love to be able to dance with these boots on!!!
I am so glad you like them. I am sure as a dancer you will be able to dance dance dance.