What's the history of your workshop?
My grandfather established it in 1898 and the family has been working there ever since. Today I share it with my brother Enrique. My nephew, the fourth generation in the family, is now beginning to work there as well. I've loved it ever since my childhood when I spent every summer there.
How did you learn to make shoes?
My father, my cousins and my uncles taught me. But you don't stop learning. I would say to young people that the most important things in this profession are enthusiasm, tenacity and lots of patience.
© adriantyler.net
What's the key to your craft?
The way that we craft every shoe totally by hand. The work of a person with an awl and some needles, stitch by stitch, cutting with a blade, preparing a slipsole, their ability with tools, then mounting every piece with the form of the foot in a mould, using tongs and pulling it by hand.
How do you feel about the future?
I would say that our profession is in danger. It´s easy to say you are a craftsman when really you are using a mechanical process. It's important that our shop is next to the workshop and clients can see how every piece is made.