FAQs ?

Scroll past the pics to the infomation section headed "About The Moccasins". If that doesn't cover it please contact me :-)

Coaster

Au$ 110

Banquet Moccasin Shoes

Au$ 110

JB Moccasin Shoes

Au$ 110

JB Moccasin Wedding Shoes

Au$ 110

Saxon/Viking Sandals

Au$ 110
I can make you these shoes in adult off-the-peg sizes because they are adjustable you you don't need to be measured to the extent of my other styles.
Just need to let me know what size you want and I will make you a pair.

For Children: I would prefer you to send me an outline of their foot and the measurement round the ball of their foot because children's growing feet seem to vary a lot in shape. The good thing is these shoes grow; stretch and expand with children for quite a while.

You can pay by bank transfer or PayPal. Just email me and I will forward you my account details. jf(at)jannfrench(dot)com
Postage to anywhere in Australia is $7. To elsewhere - contact me.

Saxon Go-Go Boots

Au$ 215
As per above shoe version, I can make you these in off-the-peg sizes. Just need to know your size and how tall you would like them.
Postage in Australia is $12. To elsewhere - contact me.

Elizabeth

Au$ 110

Pecan

Au$ 160 Double Layered leather (Single layer $110)

Strawberry

Au$ 110

Osborne

Au$ 135

Leafborne

Au$ 135

Toby

Au$ 185
These are winter shoes made with a double layer of leather. The coloured piece can currently be burgandy, green, black, tan, chocolate, charcoal, cream, blue.

Wrap-Around Moccasin Boots

Au$ 305
These winter boots are made with a double layer of leather on the foot.

Pull-On Moccasin Boots

Au$ 305
Made with a double layer of leather on the foot. These boots can also be worn rolled down with the thonging hidden inside the fold or strapped around the outside of the folded down layer.

The boots below have been made with the suede side out on the legs. The 2nd picture shows the same boots with the tops rolled down, exposing the smooth side of the skin. Deer skin is sometimes considered more hard-wearing with the rough (suede) side out which is the traditional way to make them.

... and this is what the Pull-on Boots look like when they are well worn in

These are my very dear seven year old trusty Pull-on Boots. My first pair made by my teacher a while before I learnt how to make them. They have walked thousands of miles in a fair few countries. They've stretched from wearing lots of socks in them in cold countries and have probably had about six new soles. I go everywhere in them. They are even my favourite dry weather hiking boots. I looooove them.

My old boots (above) modelled by my cousin's daughter because she is 13 and has better legs than I do.

Darcy

Darcy Boots are shorter versions of the above pull-on boots. You can wear them with the tops up or rolled down.

Au$ 195 Single layer on the foot
Au$ 245 Double layer on the foot

Side Fastening Darcy

Au$ 195 Single layer on the foot
Au$ 245 Double layer on the foot

Green Side Fastening Darcy Boots. Made with a beautiful green glove weight leather laminated to the thicker brown skin
Au$ 280

Wind Ankle Boots

Au$ 215 Single layer on the foot
Au$ 265 Double layer on the foot

Wind Ankle Boot Variation

Front fastening with a button instead of with the thong detail as above

Au$ 215 Single layer on the foot
Au$ 265 Double layer on the foot

Darcy-Wind Boot Variations

A cross between the taller size of the Darcy boot and the fringing of the Wind Boot

Left: Darcy boot top made using the uneven flank edge of the hide              Finer cut fringe from tops made using the uneven, rough flank edge of the hide
Right: uneven flank edge sliced to thick gauge fringe                                      Au$ 285
Au$ 285

Edward Ankle Boots

Au$ 195 (Single layer leather on the foot)
Au$ 245 (Double layer on the foot)

Baby and Toddler Shoes

Baby and Toddler footwear can be made in any of the adult styles
Shoes Au$ 75
Ankle Boots Au$ 135
Knee High Boots Au$ 200

About The Moccasins

Soft sole shoes were originally what everyone wore if they wore anything. I call my shoes moccasins because I learnt this trade through a Native American line but I'm an English woman who has also lived in Africa and now lives in Australia, which partly explains my mix up of design influences.

My bespoke deer skin shoes and boots are made using only hand tools. Every hole is hand punched and every stitch, hand stitched. The result is honest, natural, simple footwear that grows more beautiful and comfortable with age. They feel gorgeous, like gloves for your feet.

I make them on commission to fit your feet. I use deer skin because it is absolutely the best. Occasionally I use kangaroo but it is 3 times the price and not as thick. These skins are famous for their special softness, stretch and strength which comes from having more fibres per square inch than other leathers. Therefore my stitches close to edges don't pull out and the skin feels really good. Only the skins of wild game seem to have these particular qualities... maybe it's because free range animals still choose their own food? Nature-al is best, I think.

My skins and supplies come from Australian sources. The leather is vegetable tanned. The alternative would be chrome tanned which I don't consider ethical, decent or sensible. When I travel I buy skins in the country I am in.... because I do care about my ecological footprint. I'm hyper interested in Sustainability and the Economics of Happiness.

When the moccasins are brand new it can be hard to 'see' them properly as their beauty and comfort comes with time and wearing. This is often difficult to relay to new customers. My moccasins are designed and made in ways that exploit the aforementioned inherent qualities of the skin so that they 'finish themselves off' as they are worn. Becoming replicas of your feet. It's the way they age and mature that make them look good and feel special. It won't take long.

All footwear can be made rough (suede) side out or smooth (grain) side out. The tradition in North America is for rough side out and they say it lasts longer. I've not done a study so can't confirm that.

The Tabs

The tabs on the back of some of the shoes are there to help you pull them on because when they are first made they are snug. Once you get walking around in them the leather stretches out to refine the fit. When the shoes have become easy to pull on and off, you can cut the tabs off the back if you prefer.

Soles

The shoes and boots are made without additional soles as is traditional. It's the soft soles that make them comfortable, quiet and natural to walk in. Lovely; if you like to feel the ground beneath your feet.

I do put soles on though, which means gluing on another layer of leather, in the shape of your walk pattern. The best time to get your first soles put on is once you have worn them in, they are fully comfortable and your walk pattern has been revealed on the underside.... or at the latest; just before you wear through the bottom, preferably!... (yes if you've worn yours through I can still put soles on)

Soling costs: Au$35. If you like I can teach you how to do it for the same price. You can post your mocc's to me from anywhere for soling.

Some people choose to have conventional soles fitted by good cobblers in their area - which may be your choice if you prefer conventional soles or plan to wear them a lot in the wet. I do have a few kinds of thin rubber soling materials I can put on for you if you really want it. They cost a little more, Au$45.

Because moccasins need to become a 'second skin' I wouldn't recommend having any soles fitted until you've worn them long enough for them to have become properly stretched-in and comfortable. Meanwhile...

There is no need to fear wearing them outdoors, enjoy yourself.

These shoes do need to be soled more often than thick soled shoe shop shoes, but I think you'll find it's worth it. Please don't compare soft sole moccasins with normal shoes, they are something else entirely. Especially hand made ones. Moccasins are all about feel, enjoyment and health. I'm a proper craftsperson, an applied artist, so I do also care deeply about their looks, and a heap of other wholesome and practical values - but what they do, and why I love them, is that they enable you to feel comfortably sure footed, happy, more connected and aware of where you are, because your feet ease round the undulations and shapes of whatever is underfoot. It’s delicious, comforting... and I find my whole physical body is happier too, finding it's own natural posture, so I believe it's a better way to travel.

How often do they need soling? Everyone is different. For me it's about twice a year; which is average. Some customers go for 18months or more if they don't wear them often or wear them on unpaved ground. Other mocc's come back in a month, and occasionally even less!.... Some people only wear them indoors so last for years, before they need soles. The shoes/boots themselves will rock on for years with regular soling.

Maybe moccasins and their soling requirements are like hair cuts, fountain pens and cashmere socks... some people have their hair cut every 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, once a year, or they might cut it themselves. Cashmere socks wear out faster than acrylic socks but I'd still rather have the cashmere ones thanks, even though they're really expensive and I have to darn the holes. Fountain pens need filling up, cleaning and sometimes blob ink but the lines they make are more interesting.
The more organic things often feel nicer, more special, more charming, more homely and I think they're therefore worth any inconvenience. :-)

I have posted a soling tutorial photo album, in my Facebook pages.

Warmth

The shoes are wonderful lightweight summer things worn without socks. (I know some people can't give up their socks - just wear them when I measure you.)

In winter you need to insulate yourself from the cold ground a bit. I wear boots all winter with two or three pairs of real wool socks inside them because I feel the cold. This means my boots have stretched rather a lot now over the years to accommodate the layers of cosy socks, but I also wear the same boots in the summer without socks. The extra space is welcome in the heat. So it all seems to work.

Innersoles

Some customers have asked for synthetic, felt, lamb or sheepskin innersoles - They seem to work well for them. In fact I tried it last winter and I loved it. Get what you'd like beforehand so I can cut them to shape and measure you standing on them.

Thickness

The shoes are usually made of a single layer of deerskin. Some of the boot styles are single layer and others are double layered on the foot part.

For those who want a thicker shoe: I now offer all my shoe and short boot styles in the double layer option, made with an additional layer of skin that I laminate together with contact adhesive before I sew them together. If you would like this option please add $50 to quoted prices.

NB: The tall Pull-On and Wrap Around boots are already double layer on the foot so the prices quoted are final. Double layered short boots are treated as per these tall boots - the extra layer is added to the entire foot section. If you would like your boots double layered on the legs as well, contact me for a quote, it can be done.

Health

The virtue of travelling in a barefoot style is gathering popularity and is being discussed on a multitude of web pages such as Wikipedia, Feelmax, Vibram FiveFingers, the barefoot runner sites (i.e. Bio-mechanics of Foot Strike) and a variety of health interest sites like livingbarefoot.info. Personally I just like it and believe nature knows best. I really enjoy my feet being exercised, flexible and free, treading gently and quietly so I can properly feel and be wherever I am.

Over time people often become lighter on their feet the longer they go 'barefoot' because their gait changes. Which invariably turns out well for many body parts. You'll either walk more upright on your whole foot or maybe land toes first. You'll probably step more gently so as not to pound your body. Your feet will get stronger as you employ more flexibility in your ankles, feet and toes to walk. And you might even find your mocc's need soling less often.

Waterproofing/Conditioning

My favourite oil to use, especially on new shoes, is Neatsfoot Oil because it's the fastest softener. It is truly excellent for feeding and softening leather. My next favourite oil would be organic macadamia oil (which I also use on myself as a skin moisturiser).

Dubbin is good - a wax product used to soften, condition and waterproof leather - though some say Dubbin can rot stitching. I haven't noticed this... but I probably only do mine once or twice a year!

There are plenty of other lovely easily available leather-care and waterproofing products out there that will do their jobs very well too but do check they are ok on deerskin.

All products change the colour slightly on first application. (Normally in a good way).

I do carry a stock of Dubbin and Neatsfoot Oil that I can sell to customers from my workshop or market stalls at less than retail prices.

Rain - NB!

Deer skin dries out from a soaking with no ill effects, it rarely goes hard like other leathers can, but these shoes aren't very waterproof, you'll get damp feet in the rain, and.... BE WARNED; the leather soles can become super slippery on some smooth wet surfaces and paving stones, (as I am reminded every time I'm caught out in a city downpour, wooo-ooahh). In the wet I wear my wellies instead.

Flaws

It is normal for deer to fight so there are always scars in the skin somewhere. Hides also have colour and texture variations. I source the best skins I can but be aware that the surface of your footwear is highly likely not to be perfect all over - and that will be perfectly perfect, normal and natural.

Cost and Making Times

This depends on the amount and type of leather available and the number of hours I work on your moccasins - if they are straightforward, without extras such as dying, polishing or design changes: -

Shoes - cost between Au$ 110-185 (Babies and toddlers, Au$ 75)

Boots - cost between Au$ 195-305 depending on the size and layers of leather (Babies and toddlers, Au$ 135 - 200)

Leather Soles - for when your soles wear thin - fitted Au$ 35 (rubber soles Au$ 45)

When your order gets to the head of the queue; shoes take a day to make and boots take 2-3 days to make. I aim to fill your order within 7-21 days.

Maker's Marks

I normally remember to put my makers mark on somewhere. This means it's been hand made by my hands, no one else's... and there are only so many pairs I can make in a week or a lifetime!

I'd Like Access To Your Feet Twice, if possible

Firstly to take measurements and then for a fitting before the heel and other seams are sewn.

You need to make appointments with me for this or see me at festivals or markets - see Gig Guide on my Homepage. If you are travelling from afar, contact me beforehand so we can coordinate a plan for while you are in town; as this could be done on two consecutive days or twice in the same day.

If you are far, far away and cannot get to me; I can work from your measurements - download instructions here.

I still prefer to do the second fitting in person, especially for footwear worn without socks, but if you are so far away that that is impossible then there is a way to make a simple foot mould from plastic bags and tape that you can send me - download instructions here.

The Fine Print

I can only start work on receiving a deposit of half the cost of your order.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moccasins best suit those who like being barefoot and enjoy their feet being free and flexible
Also excellent for people who want to acclimatise their feet to walking barefoot

Thank You

Many thanks to my moccasin teacher Jory; a dear, fair, long-haired American man who was himself taught by a Native American. I thank Jory from the bottom of my heart for passing on his skills to me. I wore Jory's shoes exclusively before he taught me how to make them myself. I absolutely love my moccasins. They sort of saved me... I have dicky kneecaps that grate on the bones which became acutely sore from bicycling. The prescription was a pair of aggressive inner soles made by a podiatrist. While these were great for my knees they threw my back and hips out. More agony. It tuns out I have an extra vertebrae in my lower back. On trying everything to heal my back, eventually a Bowen Technique therapist removed my orthotic inner soles and reset my body to its own way of being. I moved back into my Jory footwear, to go 'au natural' again in the foot department. While this has not been perfect for my knees, it has been the happiest easily-manageable compromise by far. Now I am mostly pain free and active again. I can even go hiking again in my now eight-year-old trusty brown boots. (In dry climates that is; GORE-TEX hiking boots are definitely better in the mud.) I like the way my feet can flex around the shapes on the path, in boulders and around tree roots. It can make for a good grip while the double layer of leather protects my skin from stones. Feels like 4-Wheel-Drive for feet... and it's Fun.