JUST POSTED! Read my interview at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Blog here.
The shoes in this series of closeups are made of leather or felt, with a wooden one at the end. Mother and Child (1983) is from my transitional period, when I was moving from sculpture in the round to a bas relief format, which I later named fabric relief sculpture.
Mother and Child, 1983
In Jumping Girl (1985), I strove to bring a sense of movement to the figure. That’s a piece of Chinese embroidery sewn onto the bottom.
Jumping Girl, 1985
This shows off the girl’s shoes from my picture book “In the Heart” (2001). The leather came with the checked pattern stamped onto it and there was barely enough to make all of her shoes in the book.
detail from “In the Heart”, 2001
Jill’s felt shoes are about 3/4″ long.
detail from “Jack and Jill”, 2006
I made this shoe for the rhyme, One, Two, buckle my shoe in Pocketful of Posies. It’s modeled after those cute mary jane style chinese shoes. While I was working on it, I noticed that my watch band had the perfect sized buckle, so I took off my watch, cut off the buckle and added it to the illustration.
detail from “Pocketful of Posies” 2010
This wooden shoe sign is hanging over the cobbler’s shop in the picture for the rhyme, Cobbler, cobbler, mend my shoe, which is also in Pocketful of Posies. I used a jig saw to cut out the shoe and made the cobbler’s work apron from leather.
detail from “Pocketful of Posies” 2010
SALLEY MAVOR 
Wonderful shoes! I love shoes–for me, for my dolls, and alsolove making them. Tiny shoes are just the best! Thanks for sharing your beautiful little shoes!
Gosh such superb detail, I love the Mary Jane’s. I hope you got a new buckle for your watch!
Love the “one, two shoe” and the (former watch) buckle! Your embroidery is so perfect! I adore Pocket Full of Posies!!!
Speaking of embroidery – I just blogged about some beautiful book covers that Jilian Tamaki is doing for Penguin. Have you ever done an embossed treatment on any of your books?
Thanks, Wendy. Yes, I love what Jillian is doing with her embroidered covers and showed her in a post last week. I’m intrigued by the embossing idea, too.
I have just enjoyed reading your SCBWI interview – I love the term Slow Art Movement.
Even in the play world of illustration, one can never have enough shoes!
I just love your closeups post – these little shoes are wonderful, each and every one.
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, Salley! The interview was very inspirational to me.
Oh, these are little jewels!!!!