Shoe-lery

Everybody have their holiday money burning a hole in their pockets?... I thought so.  Shoe Fairy to the rescue!  Take a gander at this:

Is that coral, you say?  Beading?  What would you say if I told you this was strands and strands of... Barbie shoes?

Barbie shoes!  Yay! 

Isn’t it gorgeous?  Take a closer look at this blue one:

It’s all doll-sized T-strap peep-toes and pointy-toe pumps.  Fabulous!  These pieces of wearable shoe art are the work of local artist and jewelry designer Sara Gallo.  She’s got the training (a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a concentration in Fine Art Metals), but she’s also got a love of shoes and Barbie.  “I’m not a shoe collector or a Barbie collector, but I am definitely obsessed with both,” she told me.  “I admire the form of a well designed shoe and I grew up playing with Barbie dolls.  I still have many that I keep on a shelf in my bedroom.  I think many women can relate and I love that this series has brought back childhood memories to so many women.”

And how!  I remember a pair of red rubbery boots that my Barbies had that were my absolute favorites.  Look at this necklace—no red boots, maybe, but it’s all different kinds of shoes in all different colors:

It’s like wearing Rio around your neck!  You can really see her metalworking experience here in all the beautiful chaining—it would be so sharp under a crisp white button-down.  Look at this beauty:

It’s a pearl strand with eleven white heels... the pearls are really a nice touch.  She does other jewelry too—look at these bracelets:

Love!  Earrings too—dangly ones:

And look at these with the little bows!

I just love those.  But I have to finish with my favorite:

White shoes draped in pearls—to. die. for.  “I always create with a few goals in mind—to make something the modern day woman can wear, to push fashion trends and expectations, and to ignite a little giggle from everyone.”  Success, Sara!  “I love making people happy with my jewelry. I love seeing the moment of discovery on a person’s face when they realize they are looking at a bracelet or necklace made entirely of Barbie shoes.”

Check out her website at saragallo.com to see even more of her super-cool designs.  Price-wise, Doll Shoe Bracelets are $40 each, and they come in small, medium, and large (a size medium fits most).  A single-strand, same-shoe necklace is $195; a double-strand, same-shoe necklace is $295. A single-strand, multi-shoe necklace is $295; a double-strand, multi-shoe necklace is $395.  Custom pieces start at $295 for necklaces and $40 for bracelets. The “Little Pearls for Little Girls” stretchy pearl bracelets with one plastic shoe are $35, and sterling silver Doll Shoe Necklaces start at $2,700.

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Winter clearance, plus boots up to 70% off

Macy’s: Shoe clearance!  25-65% off

Steve Madden: Free shipping on orders over $75 using code SMFREESHIP

Saks: Designer sale—up to 50% off