Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrjester 
I'm seeing a few people making their own shoes. How do you get started in such a thing? How do you go about getting the training and the materials?
Carreducker (of UK) runs bespoke shoes workshop in the US
Marcell Mrsan of Koronya runs bespoke shoes workshop in the US.
DWFII is the resident bootmaking expert on SF and Crispins Colloquy.
Paul Krause shoes up on leatherworker.net's shoemaking sub-forum.
They should get you started on some of the good stuff. There's also Chicago school of Shoemaking (of unknown quality/skill).
Or, if you are devoted to go into shoemaking, travel to England or Europe, learn the craft and open your own shop like the dozens of new Japanese shoemakers. Better yet, mitteleuropa countries for a masters degree to learn the depth and knowledge and UK/Paris to learn the craft.
Shoemakers/bootmakers in the US take apprenticeship or offer classes as well. DWFII (OR) or Lisa Sorrel (OH) should be your top choice in bootmaking. On the more established side, there's E Vogel and Perry Ercolino. On the less well known side, there's Jon Gray (Canada), Paul Krause (AZ), Craig Corvin (Seattle, WA).
According to my uneducated knowledge, it takes at least a few dozen shoes made to be somewhat competent. It's an art that has to be learned and practiced.