We brought our dream shoe idea to Olivier and he was able to make it a reality!
Throughout the entire process he was able to walk us through what he was doing
and bring out our creative side along with his. We loved that he was as excited
about our product as we were. Any ideas that Olivier offered only enhanced what
we had brought to him. He's a genius in this field and the shoes that he creates
truly are one of a kind!
Mark and Michelle, NY
Throughout the entire process he was able to walk us through what he was doing
and bring out our creative side along with his. We loved that he was as excited
about our product as we were. Any ideas that Olivier offered only enhanced what
we had brought to him. He's a genius in this field and the shoes that he creates
truly are one of a kind!
Mark and Michelle, NY
Hi Olivier,
Here are my feels about your education.
I have been importing footwear for the past 30 years, while I have been in many
factories I never made my own shoes.
With you teaching me and guiding me, I made my first pair of shoes . I have
always wanted to take a class like this but it was usually in Italy and thousands of
$$$$.
I flew in from FL and while I was extremely tired and COLD you were very patient
with me.
When we finished my first pair I was totally proud and amazed at what you taught
me. It was a GREAT experience.
I do not plan on making shoes for a living, I plan on practicing and then teaching
my grandson a craft that has been forgotten.
I have been telling everyone I know about my experience and how they should try
it. I started by telling two couples at the restaurant you sent me to the first night
while they were trying to eat.
Your love and passion for what you do makes it even more enjoyable.
It was an honor to meet you and I will stay in touched with you.
Bruce Pontner, Fl
------------------------------------------------
Here are my feels about your education.
I have been importing footwear for the past 30 years, while I have been in many
factories I never made my own shoes.
With you teaching me and guiding me, I made my first pair of shoes . I have
always wanted to take a class like this but it was usually in Italy and thousands of
$$$$.
I flew in from FL and while I was extremely tired and COLD you were very patient
with me.
When we finished my first pair I was totally proud and amazed at what you taught
me. It was a GREAT experience.
I do not plan on making shoes for a living, I plan on practicing and then teaching
my grandson a craft that has been forgotten.
I have been telling everyone I know about my experience and how they should try
it. I started by telling two couples at the restaurant you sent me to the first night
while they were trying to eat.
Your love and passion for what you do makes it even more enjoyable.
It was an honor to meet you and I will stay in touched with you.
Bruce Pontner, Fl
------------------------------------------------
Good morning!
You know - I never tire of sharing stories about my terrific students. I am so proud of
you all. I wonder if you would mind taking a few minutes to share YOUR reaction to your
boot/shoe class experience. It would mean a great deal to me to hear your reactions.
They could be posted on the site or used in an article.
Points of interest might be:
- What made you decide to take a class in the first place?
I have been wanting to take shoe making class for years and when I saw the Groupon
opportunity, I jumped at it!
- How did completing your first pair of footwear make you feel?
I was glad I was able to make a sturdy pair of shoes. I know now I'll need to work on
materials and fitting better, as they are too large.But I at least know how a shoe is
constructed and feel confident that if I have the right tools I can construct a pair of
sandals.
- Did you (or do you plan to) go on to continue learning these skills?
Yes, I signed up for the bootmaking class
- Do you feel that the episode “empowered” you in any way? I want to go on to make
sandals and shoes, and hopefully teach people in Ghana how to do so.
In other words, even if you do not choose to make shoes for a living, did you learn
something about the power of self-determination?
- Would you recommend to a Friend to take a class that teaches the utilization of skills
and imagination to create personal income and assist their community?
Yes, I plan to teach this in Ghana, and I also would recommend to a friend.
I know you are busy, but your thoughts are important to me and I learn from YOU, as I
prepare new additions to the curriculum.
Hatshepsut, NY.
You know - I never tire of sharing stories about my terrific students. I am so proud of
you all. I wonder if you would mind taking a few minutes to share YOUR reaction to your
boot/shoe class experience. It would mean a great deal to me to hear your reactions.
They could be posted on the site or used in an article.
Points of interest might be:
- What made you decide to take a class in the first place?
I have been wanting to take shoe making class for years and when I saw the Groupon
opportunity, I jumped at it!
- How did completing your first pair of footwear make you feel?
I was glad I was able to make a sturdy pair of shoes. I know now I'll need to work on
materials and fitting better, as they are too large.But I at least know how a shoe is
constructed and feel confident that if I have the right tools I can construct a pair of
sandals.
- Did you (or do you plan to) go on to continue learning these skills?
Yes, I signed up for the bootmaking class
- Do you feel that the episode “empowered” you in any way? I want to go on to make
sandals and shoes, and hopefully teach people in Ghana how to do so.
In other words, even if you do not choose to make shoes for a living, did you learn
something about the power of self-determination?
- Would you recommend to a Friend to take a class that teaches the utilization of skills
and imagination to create personal income and assist their community?
Yes, I plan to teach this in Ghana, and I also would recommend to a friend.
I know you are busy, but your thoughts are important to me and I learn from YOU, as I
prepare new additions to the curriculum.
Hatshepsut, NY.
I just watched the short video on your website and wanted to write a quick note to thank
and congratulate you on your efforts. The world needs more individuals like you who help
the less advantaged to helpthemselves.
Inspirational.
Best regards, Doug Ware
Arrowsic, ME
and congratulate you on your efforts. The world needs more individuals like you who help
the less advantaged to helpthemselves.
Inspirational.
Best regards, Doug Ware
Arrowsic, ME
Maestro Olivier's How to Make Boots From Your Garage is more than a method for learning
the art of boot and shoe making—it is an opportunity to enter into an age-old tradition of
craftsmanship as both a means of self-expression and self-reliance.
It is clear from the moment you step into Olivier Rabbath's workshop that he believes the
tools for creating a beautiful, finished design lie within your reach. No matter how many
slip-ups or missteps, under or over-calculations the student craftsperson might make,
Rabbath's belief in the work, and in you, does not waver.
It is his mission that during your time with him, you extend that reach and leave his
workshop with a firm grasp of the concepts, skills, inside tips, guides and mantras that will
inspire you to create your next design and the one after.
Is the work arduous? Yes.
Is it a challenge and an act of concentration, inspiration, preparation and perspiration?
Yes, yes and yes.
Am I hooked? Yes.
The combination of Olivier's process with artistry, artistry with craft, and craft as a
means of re-imagining and re-visiting the art of fashion as a cottage industry is
irresistible.
Boot-making in Olivier's workshop is a celebration of that intimate connection between
artisan, craft, and buyer.
Learning the art of handcrafted footwear over the course of a weekend or in one intensive
15-hour workshop becomes an act of reclaiming that connection, of taking the art of
fashion and shoewear design out the industrialized and soulless exchange of the
marketplace and bringing it back to the kitchen tables, the garrets and, yes, the garages
of makers and the buyers who patronize.
Each pair of boots and each sale I make will be infused with the experience of having
spent time with a teacher who holds the philosophy of craftsmanship as an imitable truth.
When you enroll in Boot Camp, you are essentially imbuing yourself with the power of
making functionable, sustainable art and building a life.
E.H. Vital-Lazare
Las Vegas
the art of boot and shoe making—it is an opportunity to enter into an age-old tradition of
craftsmanship as both a means of self-expression and self-reliance.
It is clear from the moment you step into Olivier Rabbath's workshop that he believes the
tools for creating a beautiful, finished design lie within your reach. No matter how many
slip-ups or missteps, under or over-calculations the student craftsperson might make,
Rabbath's belief in the work, and in you, does not waver.
It is his mission that during your time with him, you extend that reach and leave his
workshop with a firm grasp of the concepts, skills, inside tips, guides and mantras that will
inspire you to create your next design and the one after.
Is the work arduous? Yes.
Is it a challenge and an act of concentration, inspiration, preparation and perspiration?
Yes, yes and yes.
Am I hooked? Yes.
The combination of Olivier's process with artistry, artistry with craft, and craft as a
means of re-imagining and re-visiting the art of fashion as a cottage industry is
irresistible.
Boot-making in Olivier's workshop is a celebration of that intimate connection between
artisan, craft, and buyer.
Learning the art of handcrafted footwear over the course of a weekend or in one intensive
15-hour workshop becomes an act of reclaiming that connection, of taking the art of
fashion and shoewear design out the industrialized and soulless exchange of the
marketplace and bringing it back to the kitchen tables, the garrets and, yes, the garages
of makers and the buyers who patronize.
Each pair of boots and each sale I make will be infused with the experience of having
spent time with a teacher who holds the philosophy of craftsmanship as an imitable truth.
When you enroll in Boot Camp, you are essentially imbuing yourself with the power of
making functionable, sustainable art and building a life.
E.H. Vital-Lazare
Las Vegas
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REVIEWS:
REVIEWS:
Hello Olivier,
Here are some thoughts from me…see answers to your questions. Hope this helps and
is what you are looking for.
Points of interest might be:
- What made you decide to take a class in the first place?
Seeing the workshop in action and understanding that you would learn the art of shoe
making from start to finish in a real hands on environment (from day 10) with direct
contact with the teacher (classes usually have 4 or less people at a time which means
you have great level of personal interaction with Olivier, the master, himself.
- How did completing your first pair of footwear make you feel?
Awesome! Very proud. My shoes came out better than expected and I wear them to
work regularly. My co-worker, friends and family can’t believe I made them.
- Did you (or do you plan to) go on to continue learning these skills?
Yes, I have already started the boot class after my shoe class and signed up for
workshop time as well.
- Do you feel that the episode “empowered” you in any way? In other words, even if
you do not choose to make shoes for a living, did you learn something about the power
of self-determination?
Absolutely. Olivier is passionate shoemaker but is also a passionate believer in the
human potential. He is one of the most creative people I have ever met and his
enthusiasm and belief in uplifting and empowering oneself is infectious. The lessons
learned can far exceed the craft of shoemaking.
- Would you recommend to a Friend to take a class that teaches the utilization of
skills and imagination to create personal income and assist their community?
Absolutely. This skills taught are tangible, hands on, practical and real. With minimal
investment and some practice, Olivier’s students can and do embark on new ventures
for themselves whether as a business or hobby.
Mitchell Hoffmeister, NY
Here are some thoughts from me…see answers to your questions. Hope this helps and
is what you are looking for.
Points of interest might be:
- What made you decide to take a class in the first place?
Seeing the workshop in action and understanding that you would learn the art of shoe
making from start to finish in a real hands on environment (from day 10) with direct
contact with the teacher (classes usually have 4 or less people at a time which means
you have great level of personal interaction with Olivier, the master, himself.
- How did completing your first pair of footwear make you feel?
Awesome! Very proud. My shoes came out better than expected and I wear them to
work regularly. My co-worker, friends and family can’t believe I made them.
- Did you (or do you plan to) go on to continue learning these skills?
Yes, I have already started the boot class after my shoe class and signed up for
workshop time as well.
- Do you feel that the episode “empowered” you in any way? In other words, even if
you do not choose to make shoes for a living, did you learn something about the power
of self-determination?
Absolutely. Olivier is passionate shoemaker but is also a passionate believer in the
human potential. He is one of the most creative people I have ever met and his
enthusiasm and belief in uplifting and empowering oneself is infectious. The lessons
learned can far exceed the craft of shoemaking.
- Would you recommend to a Friend to take a class that teaches the utilization of
skills and imagination to create personal income and assist their community?
Absolutely. This skills taught are tangible, hands on, practical and real. With minimal
investment and some practice, Olivier’s students can and do embark on new ventures
for themselves whether as a business or hobby.
Mitchell Hoffmeister, NY