Our latest STICK OF THE WEEK! is Cheri Paxton. Cheri is in the NOW as founder of
Shoe•ol•o•gy, a website that offers stylish shoe sewing patterns for women, babies and kids. At Shoe•ol•o•gy, the study of shoes and endless creativity fall into your hands. Cheri teaches you how to make beautiful shoes step-by-step with her sewing patterns and detailed tutorials. In addition, Shoe•ol•o•gy also offers sole material and shoe friendly fabrics.
Shoe•ol•o•gy, a website that offers stylish shoe sewing patterns for women, babies and kids. At Shoe•ol•o•gy, the study of shoes and endless creativity fall into your hands. Cheri teaches you how to make beautiful shoes step-by-step with her sewing patterns and detailed tutorials. In addition, Shoe•ol•o•gy also offers sole material and shoe friendly fabrics.
Cheri Paxton
Cheri Paxton has been married to her wonderful husband for fifteen years and has two beautiful daughters (3 and 6). While staying at home with her girls, Cheri runs three different Etsy shops, Sweet Pea Kids, Sweet Pea Patterns for baby and Shoe•ol•o•gy for women. "My kids inspire me everyday. I can't think of anything more satisfying than sewing up something cute for my kids and then watching them run around in it. It is such a privilege to be able to share the patterns I create with the world." Cheri loves sewing, painting, crocheting, beading & everything artsy and crafty. She is passionate about making and teaching people how to make shoes. "I'm addicted to the feeling of making something new that didn't exist before. I find it invigorating and exciting!"
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
My NOW is all about designing shoe patterns to share with the world! I design baby, kids, and women's shoes. Then I create beautifully illustrated tutorials to teach people how to make shoes just like they see in my pictures. I sell them as PDF patterns so people have the convenience of downloading them in a very short amount of time. That way, they can get started right away.
My NOW is all about designing shoe patterns to share with the world! I design baby, kids, and women's shoes. Then I create beautifully illustrated tutorials to teach people how to make shoes just like they see in my pictures. I sell them as PDF patterns so people have the convenience of downloading them in a very short amount of time. That way, they can get started right away.
Shoe•ol•o•gy for women
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
Ha ha, I love this question! I feel like my NOW is somewhere between simmering and al dente. I say that because my original goal was to have shoe patterns available in all sizes and I'm almost there. I also say that because I've worked really hard the last couple of years researching and developing new ways to make shoe making possible for the everyday do-it-yourself person out there. I found a great product for making outdoor shoes that can be sewn on a regular sewing machine. I sell this waterproof material in my women's shoe shop HERE. But this material was really just the first step. There are still new developments that I am currently working on that I will be introducing soon. My goal this summer is to put together an illustrated e-book that will teach people how to make really nice looking shoes with a harder and thicker sole.
Ha ha, I love this question! I feel like my NOW is somewhere between simmering and al dente. I say that because my original goal was to have shoe patterns available in all sizes and I'm almost there. I also say that because I've worked really hard the last couple of years researching and developing new ways to make shoe making possible for the everyday do-it-yourself person out there. I found a great product for making outdoor shoes that can be sewn on a regular sewing machine. I sell this waterproof material in my women's shoe shop HERE. But this material was really just the first step. There are still new developments that I am currently working on that I will be introducing soon. My goal this summer is to put together an illustrated e-book that will teach people how to make really nice looking shoes with a harder and thicker sole.
Shoe•ol•o•gy for women
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Adventurous moms out there are learning how to sew. With my shoe patterns and other sewn items, they are having great success! My advice is to not get to locked into the "recipe!" When you buy a pattern, learn the basics on how to make it functional and then have fun creating eye candy....... bows, flowers, ribbon...... whatever! Take liberties to express yourself through your creations and have fun with it!
Adventurous moms out there are learning how to sew. With my shoe patterns and other sewn items, they are having great success! My advice is to not get to locked into the "recipe!" When you buy a pattern, learn the basics on how to make it functional and then have fun creating eye candy....... bows, flowers, ribbon...... whatever! Take liberties to express yourself through your creations and have fun with it!
Jack and Jill Loafers
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I've always been the entrepreneur type! Before Etsy came along, I almost always had my own business. Just to name a few, I sold handmade soap, jewelry and painted murals for businesses and homes. However, I am an introvert at heart, so when Etsy opened it's doors, it didn't take me very long to figure out that Etsy was where I needed to be!
I've always been the entrepreneur type! Before Etsy came along, I almost always had my own business. Just to name a few, I sold handmade soap, jewelry and painted murals for businesses and homes. However, I am an introvert at heart, so when Etsy opened it's doors, it didn't take me very long to figure out that Etsy was where I needed to be!
Owl and Chick Slippers
Little London Loafers
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
Well, it's kind of like I have to create in order to be a good mom. I know that might sound weird, but if I don't take time out to create even for a short amount of time everyday-- I get down right grumpy! Being creative is how I recharge my battery. My kids are very interested in art too, so they are right beside me getting recharged! Even small things like coloring or painting with my kids helps a lot.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Boy is that a loaded question! It's hard. Really hard. I'm not going to lie. Being a work at home mom is by far the hardest thing I've ever done.....hands down! It's definitely getting easier now that my youngest just turned 3. I still find the most important thing I can do is to give them as much time as I possibly can. Even when I feel very rushed to get my work done, I try hard to stop often throughout the day and read to my kids, sit and snuggle with them or just take time out to let them know that I love them. This seems to help more than anything else I've tried. Some people would say to keep a good schedule, and I believe that is true too. I'm just not very good at it!
What technology issues have you run into with you NOW?
When I first opened my first Etsy shop, it was really easy to make a sale. Now because of the way Etsy changed their search tools, it is more difficult to get traffic coming through. I have to advertise to get traffic now. There is also a lot more competition now than when I first started, so that makes things more difficult. Yet, I am determined to be adaptable and move along with changes so that I am not left behind.
On a positive note, I am very grateful that the online sewing communities are rapidly growing. Just ten years ago if you didn't know how to sew and you didn't have anyone to show you how to sew, you wouldn't dream of buying a pattern. Now with all the helpful sewing blogs out there and the illustrated tutorials that come with most PDF patterns that are bought, women all around the world are being empowered to create and sew in a way that would not have been possible without the internet. It's awesome and I feel so privileged to be a part of the online sewing community that makes this possible for them.
Well, it's kind of like I have to create in order to be a good mom. I know that might sound weird, but if I don't take time out to create even for a short amount of time everyday-- I get down right grumpy! Being creative is how I recharge my battery. My kids are very interested in art too, so they are right beside me getting recharged! Even small things like coloring or painting with my kids helps a lot.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Boy is that a loaded question! It's hard. Really hard. I'm not going to lie. Being a work at home mom is by far the hardest thing I've ever done.....hands down! It's definitely getting easier now that my youngest just turned 3. I still find the most important thing I can do is to give them as much time as I possibly can. Even when I feel very rushed to get my work done, I try hard to stop often throughout the day and read to my kids, sit and snuggle with them or just take time out to let them know that I love them. This seems to help more than anything else I've tried. Some people would say to keep a good schedule, and I believe that is true too. I'm just not very good at it!
What technology issues have you run into with you NOW?
When I first opened my first Etsy shop, it was really easy to make a sale. Now because of the way Etsy changed their search tools, it is more difficult to get traffic coming through. I have to advertise to get traffic now. There is also a lot more competition now than when I first started, so that makes things more difficult. Yet, I am determined to be adaptable and move along with changes so that I am not left behind.
On a positive note, I am very grateful that the online sewing communities are rapidly growing. Just ten years ago if you didn't know how to sew and you didn't have anyone to show you how to sew, you wouldn't dream of buying a pattern. Now with all the helpful sewing blogs out there and the illustrated tutorials that come with most PDF patterns that are bought, women all around the world are being empowered to create and sew in a way that would not have been possible without the internet. It's awesome and I feel so privileged to be a part of the online sewing community that makes this possible for them.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
I grew up in NY and my mom is 100% Italian so this is a tough one! If I had to pick just one I would have to Penne alla Vodka.
I grew up in NY and my mom is 100% Italian so this is a tough one! If I had to pick just one I would have to Penne alla Vodka.
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