Class Description: Join Marley Marc of SPIRIT GUIDE 9 for an immersive 5-day workshop where you’ll explore unconventional methods of footwear construction and design ideation. Throughout the course, you’ll learn the “Spirit Guide method” of footwear augmentation, along with foundational airbrushing techniques—all aimed at helping you craft striking, one-of-a-kind knee-high boots without the use of industrial machinery.

This hands-on class is perfect for:

• Beginners eager to explore footwear without formal training

• Artists and designers working with limited space or tools

• Seasoned makers seeking a fresh, unique, and resourceful approach

Group discussion and collaborative ideation are core to the experience. You’ll be encouraged to engage with current technologies, challenge conventions, and reshape your perspective on how footwear can be imagined and made.

Day 1: You’ll be taken off-site to learn where to source materials. Please budget around $50 if you’d like to purchase additional supplies. If that’s not possible, don’t worry—materials will be available for you to use in the space.

Day 2-5: You will spend these days in-studio sewing, airbrushing, collaborating, and completing your boots. 

All necessary tools will be provided for you—just come as you are and get ready to make some wild boots

ABOUT THE TEACHER

Marley Marc is a New York City based designer and the creative force behind Spirit Guide 9, a boundary-pushing footwear brand known for its futuristic aesthetics. Since founding Spirit Guide 9 in 2021, Marley has garnered the attention of cultural icons—designing custom boots for the likes of FKA twigs, Bella Hadid, and Doja Cat, among others. With a background rooted in artistic experimentation and a passion for resourceful making, Marley brings an inventive, outside-the-lines approach to every creation. This workshop offers a rare chance to learn directly from an artist at the forefront of fashion’s future.

Class Description: Join Marley Marc of SPIRIT GUIDE 9 for an immersive 5-day workshop where you’ll explore unconventional methods of footwear construction and design ideation. Throughout the course, you’ll learn the “Spirit Guide method” of footwear augmentation, along with foundational airbrushing techniques—all aimed at helping you craft striking, one-of-a-kind knee-high boots without the use of industrial machinery.

This hands-on class is perfect for:

• Beginners eager to explore footwear without formal training

• Artists and designers working with limited space or tools

• Seasoned makers seeking a fresh, unique, and resourceful approach

Group discussion and collaborative ideation are core to the experience. You’ll be encouraged to engage with current technologies, challenge conventions, and reshape your perspective on how footwear can be imagined and made.

Day 1: You’ll be taken off-site to learn where to source materials. Please budget around $50 if you’d like to purchase additional supplies. If that’s not possible, don’t worry—materials will be available for you to use in the space.

Day 2-5: You will spend these days in-studio sewing, airbrushing, collaborating, and completing your boots. 

All necessary tools will be provided for you—just come as you are and get ready to make some wild boots

ABOUT THE TEACHER

Marley Marc is a New York City based designer and the creative force behind Spirit Guide 9, a boundary-pushing footwear brand known for its futuristic aesthetics. Since founding Spirit Guide 9 in 2021, Marley has garnered the attention of cultural icons—designing custom boots for the likes of FKA twigs, Bella Hadid, and Doja Cat, among others. With a background rooted in artistic experimentation and a passion for resourceful making, Marley brings an inventive, outside-the-lines approach to every creation. This workshop offers a rare chance to learn directly from an artist at the forefront of fashion’s future.

First-Ever Sandal Making Retreat with Brooklyn Shoe Space!

July 18 - 20, 2025 • Halcottsville, NY, West Catskills

Spend a weekend crafting your own handmade leather sandals and soaking up the magic of the Catskills.
A creative retreat designed for slowing down, making beautiful things, and connecting with nature.

Book with friends!

Retreat Tiers:

Tier 1: Workshop Only – $295

• Saturday, July 19, 2025, noon - 6pm

• All tools, materials, and instruction included

• Light snacks & drinks provided

• Perfect for locals or anyone booking their own stay nearby

Tier 2: Shared Room Retreat = WORKSHOP + $675

Includes:

• Friday to Sunday full retreat experience

• Shared bedroom in our cozy Catskills home (2 twin beds or 1 queen bed)

• Check-in from 2pm onward on Friday.

• Friday welcome hangout + light dinner spread + hang out around the firepit

• Saturday morning visit to Pakatakan Farmers Market

• Saturday full-day sandal workshop + lunch (From either Sweet Pea Supply or Cafe Mornings)

• Saturday night group dinner at ODA’s in Margaretville

• Sunday breakfast and slow morning

• Sunday Activity

• Retreat send-off would be 3-4pm

• (3 spots available: 2 twins, 1 queen)

  Ideal for friends or solo travelers open to sharing space 

Tier 3: Private Room Retreat for One: $895 or for Two: $1450

• Private queen bedroom — For a single traveller, it will be $895

• For a package for two, price covers both participants. You can register by selecting the "Add-on Extra Person" option. It becomes $725 per person.

• Treat yourself to extra cozy vibes and the full retreat experience!

Optional Add-Ons & Activity options:

• Friday, Swimming/local gym on Friday afternoon

• Sunday morning mini-workshop-session (finish sandals / customize further)

• Sunday Yoga at Play Yoga at 10am

• Sunday Local hike from 12pm, and bites (A quick 1 hour hike + bites from 1pm @Wayside Cider in Andes)

• Sunday local kayak/canoe on our lake

• Sunday morning run

• Swimhole x mini walk up the hill (30 minutes)

Once you sign up, itinerary would be sent to you for the three days, you can choose to join or pass. We will also send you a questionnaire for groceries you would like for us to pre-purchase and have for you in case you want extra items other than the group meals from local cafes and restaurants.

It’s a mellow retreat, hosted at Keiko’s house upstate.

A 5-day intensive workshop making shoes, boots, or sneakers, stilettos, you name it! a design of your own!

(Sometimes we offer a condensed 4-longer-day class as well)

This will be a cemented shoe construction class, and anyone: beginners to second-timers, to advanced students can take the course. We have group class dates as well, but we mainly focus on private sessions as everyone’s schedule is different. Once you sign up for a class, schedule a private session on dates of your own choice. We will accommodate as much as possible.

If you have a specific last you’d like to use, like a heel height and toe shape, we can help you custom order a last with you. So please reach out ahead, ample time, for this to happen. Last development cost with a last factory is not included in the class.

If you wish to deconstruct and reconstruct a shoe, please reach out ahead of time to discuss the original shoe.

You can always alter the toe shape of a last. You can add on material, but you cannot cut off lasts. When cutting lasts down from the original shape, you will be asked to purchase the last at the end of the class.

The hours are 10am - 5pm Or 9:30am-4:30pm

If you cannot do full days, and prefer half-day sessions, please let us know. We will be flexible. We have done weeknight classes as well. 3 hours at a time. DM us.

Book a Private Class: If you're in a hurry and prefer a one-on-one session, you can schedule a private class on a day that works best for you.

Join a Group Class that is already on the calendar, OR: If you can plan ahead with at least one month’s notice, you can sign up for a group class on a day of your choice. We’ll post available dates on the calendar and see if others are interested in joining. Please note, we need a minimum of 2 students to hold a group class.

DETAILS OF CLASS:

First day of the class: You will learn about lasts, how to measure your feet, how to draw your designs. The afternoon of the first day, or, the second class, the afternoon of the first day, you will make patterns of your designs by taping up the last, drawing on the last and creating paper patterns.

Second day, you will finish your patterns, and start to cut your leathers from your pattern, prepare to sew, and start stitching, using a high-post sewing machine. Even a first-time-sewer will learn how to use the machines, do not worry!

Third day you will finish stitching the uppers.

Fourth day, you will start lasting your uppers. First the lining, then the uppers, in between you will put toe puffs and heel counters.

Fifth day, you will sole your shoes. It can be a pre-made sole unit, or you can stack your own. If you are finished on the fifth day, great!

Materials included in this five or six day course are: Midsoles, Shanks, Toe Puffs, Heel counters. Upper and lining leathers available in the studio are also included for your pair, as well as variety of insole and outsole materials.

If you’d like, we can send you on a material shopping trip. Materials purchased on the trip will be the student's responsibility. Any materials that we don't have at the space, the student will have to purchase themselves. Please let us know ahead, and I can send you shop list.

Looking forward to seeing your creations!

A 5-day intensive workshop making shoes, boots, or sneakers, stilettos, you name it! a design of your own!

(Sometimes we offer a condensed 4-longer-day class as well)

This will be a cemented shoe construction class, and anyone: beginners to second-timers, to advanced students can take the course. We have group class dates as well, but we mainly focus on private sessions as everyone’s schedule is different. Once you sign up for a class, schedule a private session on dates of your own choice. We will accommodate as much as possible.

If you have a specific last you’d like to use, like a heel height and toe shape, we can help you custom order a last with you. So please reach out ahead, ample time, for this to happen. Last development cost with a last factory is not included in the class.

If you wish to deconstruct and reconstruct a shoe, please reach out ahead of time to discuss the original shoe.

You can always alter the toe shape of a last. You can add on material, but you cannot cut off lasts. When cutting lasts down from the original shape, you will be asked to purchase the last at the end of the class.

The hours are 10am - 5pm Or 9:30am-4:30pm

If you cannot do full days, and prefer half-day sessions, please let us know. We will be flexible. We have done weeknight classes as well. 3 hours at a time. DM us.

Book a Private Class: If you're in a hurry and prefer a one-on-one session, you can schedule a private class on a day that works best for you.

Join a Group Class that is already on the calendar, OR: If you can plan ahead with at least one month’s notice, you can sign up for a group class on a day of your choice. We’ll post available dates on the calendar and see if others are interested in joining. Please note, we need a minimum of 2 students to hold a group class.

DETAILS OF CLASS:

First day of the class: You will learn about lasts, how to measure your feet, how to draw your designs. The afternoon of the first day, or, the second class, the afternoon of the first day, you will make patterns of your designs by taping up the last, drawing on the last and creating paper patterns.

Second day, you will finish your patterns, and start to cut your leathers from your pattern, prepare to sew, and start stitching, using a high-post sewing machine. Even a first-time-sewer will learn how to use the machines, do not worry!

Third day you will finish stitching the uppers.

Fourth day, you will start lasting your uppers. First the lining, then the uppers, in between you will put toe puffs and heel counters.

Fifth day, you will sole your shoes. It can be a pre-made sole unit, or you can stack your own. If you are finished on the fifth day, great!

Materials included in this five or six day course are: Midsoles, Shanks, Toe Puffs, Heel counters. Upper and lining leathers available in the studio are also included for your pair, as well as variety of insole and outsole materials.

If you’d like, we can send you on a material shopping trip. Materials purchased on the trip will be the student's responsibility. Any materials that we don't have at the space, the student will have to purchase themselves. Please let us know ahead, and I can send you shop list.

Looking forward to seeing your creations!

A 5-day intensive workshop making shoes, boots, or sneakers, stilettos, you name it! a design of your own!

(Sometimes we offer a condensed 4-longer-day class as well)

This will be a cemented shoe construction class, and anyone: beginners to second-timers, to advanced students can take the course. We have group class dates as well, but we mainly focus on private sessions as everyone’s schedule is different. Once you sign up for a class, schedule a private session on dates of your own choice. We will accommodate as much as possible.

If you have a specific last you’d like to use, like a heel height and toe shape, we can help you custom order a last with you. So please reach out ahead, ample time, for this to happen. Last development cost with a last factory is not included in the class.

If you wish to deconstruct and reconstruct a shoe, please reach out ahead of time to discuss the original shoe.

You can always alter the toe shape of a last. You can add on material, but you cannot cut off lasts. When cutting lasts down from the original shape, you will be asked to purchase the last at the end of the class.

The hours are 10am - 5pm Or 9:30am-4:30pm

If you cannot do full days, and prefer half-day sessions, please let us know. We will be flexible. We have done weeknight classes as well. 3 hours at a time. DM us.

Book a Private Class: If you're in a hurry and prefer a one-on-one session, you can schedule a private class on a day that works best for you.

Join a Group Class that is already on the calendar, OR: If you can plan ahead with at least one month’s notice, you can sign up for a group class on a day of your choice. We’ll post available dates on the calendar and see if others are interested in joining. Please note, we need a minimum of 2 students to hold a group class.

DETAILS OF CLASS:

First day of the class: You will learn about lasts, how to measure your feet, how to draw your designs. The afternoon of the first day, or, the second class, the afternoon of the first day, you will make patterns of your designs by taping up the last, drawing on the last and creating paper patterns.

Second day, you will finish your patterns, and start to cut your leathers from your pattern, prepare to sew, and start stitching, using a high-post sewing machine. Even a first-time-sewer will learn how to use the machines, do not worry!

Third day you will finish stitching the uppers.

Fourth day, you will start lasting your uppers. First the lining, then the uppers, in between you will put toe puffs and heel counters.

Fifth day, you will sole your shoes. It can be a pre-made sole unit, or you can stack your own. If you are finished on the fifth day, great!

Materials included in this five or six day course are: Midsoles, Shanks, Toe Puffs, Heel counters. Upper and lining leathers available in the studio are also included for your pair, as well as variety of insole and outsole materials.

If you’d like, we can send you on a material shopping trip. Materials purchased on the trip will be the student's responsibility. Any materials that we don't have at the space, the student will have to purchase themselves. Please let us know ahead, and I can send you shop list.

Looking forward to seeing your creations!

As of June 1, we have decided to postpone this course!

So sorry for those who were looking forward to the class! But Lou will be back! maybe in 2026?

STRAP IN! We have a visiting teacher hailing all the way from Australia!

Make your harness fantasies a reality in Lou Clifton’s Harness Workshop. Choose from a range of base styles and customize them to your heart’s content with a variety of high quality leather, rivets, eyelets and studs. These are made-to-measure harnesses; each pattern will be tailored to fit YOU. Design modifications can be made (time willing) and you’re welcome to email Lou ahead of the class with your ideas.

BASE STYLE GALLERY: http://www.shoe-school.com/harnessstyles

Classes are held over 2 days, 9-5pm with an hour break for lunch.

This class is taught by Lou Clifton from SHOE SCHOOL, originally from New Zealand. She will be traveling to teach the class, so we will close the booking August 30, to make sure we have ample time to prepare for both her trip, class components, and some fun times with you all!

** Each class will need minimum 3 students to run the course, If there’s 2 in each class, we may ask to consolidate the dates. Please be aware.