Learn how to make shoes or how to start a shoe business with us!

Since 2016, @workshopsbytal has been offering various shoemaking classes, with the goal of enabling more people to participate in the shoemaking industry of Marikina. The workshops are conducted by Tal de Guzman, founder of Risqué Designs, who started the business in 2012. She is also usually assisted by in-house shoemakers and sometimes previous participants and interns. You can check our instagram @workshopsbytal for more photos and videos of past workshops.

  • Venue:
    • Most of our workshops are conducted in the Risqué Studio in Marikina. However, we also accept private and corporate workshop requests for groups. We have even catered to birthdays, bonding sessions and bachelorette parties!
  • Materials: 
    • All materials and use of tools and materials are included. 
    • You can choose from available leather/fabric materials on the day.
    • You may also order materials and tools before or after the workshop.
  • Sizing:
    • You will be required to send us your usual US size beforehand.
    • However, we will still check your actual shoe size on the day, to make sure that we will use the right shoe last (feet mold) for you. 
  • Participants:
    • Open to all genders.
    • Open to adults and teens (15 years old above)
    • Please let us know if you have any dexterity/movement issues or allergies to dust and adhesives. 
    • Each workshop day is a mix of participants enrolled in different levels. 
  • Packages:
    • We provide discounted packages to those who want to take more than 2 levels. 
    • We can also provide packages to private group workshops. 
  • Registration: 

THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS YOU CAN JOIN:

BASIC LEVELS:

Level 0 - Sandal Making Workshop 

  • A 3-4 hour workshop on how to make basic leather sandals.
  • This workshop does not need any prior knowledge in shoemaking or crafting.
  • This can be requested to be held in various locations, as long as there are ample tables and chairs, and ventilation.
  • Participants can design their own but with some restrictions:
    • No ankle straps
    • Maximum of 4 straps per foot
    • No overlapping straps on the sides of the soles
    • Minimum strap width = 0.5 inch
    • Maximum strap width = 2 inches
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 3500 per person for a scheduled group class.
    • Private classes are a different price.
  • Sample outputs: 

Level 1 - Flat Mules Shoemaking Workshop

  • This is the first level for shoemaking, and is also a pre-requisite to continue to Levels 2 to 5. 
  • This is a full-day workshop, usually between 10am to 5 or 6pm. 
  • You will get to create a round toe, flat mule (closed toe, open back shoe)
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 5500 per person for a scheduled group class.
    • Private classes are a different price
  • Here are some samples: 

INTERMEDIATE LEVELS

Level 2 - Closed Flats Shoemaking Workshop

  • You should have taken Level 1 to enroll in this workshop
  • In this workshop, you can now do a fully-closed flat shoe (open toe and open back).
  • This is a full-day workshop, usually between 9am to 5 or 6pm. 
  • You will also be allowed to have some modifications, depending on available patterns or your current skill on pattern making. 
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 6500 per person for a scheduled group class.
    • Private classes are a different price
  • Some participants are recommended to repeat this level is they want to practice shoemaking more before proceeding to the next level.
  • In this level, you are also welcome to explore toe shapes other than round:
    • almond toe (semi pointed)
    • square toe
  • Here are some samples:

Level 3 - Block Heels Shoemaking Workshop

  • You should have taken Level 2 to enroll in this workshop
  • This is a full-day workshop, usually between 9am to 5 or 6pm. 
  • In this workshop, you can now do a block heeled shoe, within limitations of available patterns at the studio. 
  • If you really want a specific design, you would have to send us the design in advance (subject to possible added fees for pattern making)
  • You will also be allowed to have some modifications, depending on available patterns or your current skill on pattern making. 
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 6500 per person for a scheduled group class.
    • Private classes are a different price
  • In this level, you are also welcome to explore various heel heights and the use of a front platform:
    • 2 inches with no platform
    • 3 inches with 1 inch platform
    • 3 inches with no platform
  • Here are some samples:

ADVANCED LEVELS

Level 4 - Stiletto or Wedge Shoemaking Workshop

  • You should have taken Level 3 to enroll in this workshop
  • This is a full-day workshop, usually between 9am to 5 or 6pm. 
  • In this workshop, you can now do a stiletto or a wedge, within limitations of available patterns at the studio. 
  • If you really want a specific design, you would have to send us the design in advance (subject to possible added fees for pattern making)
  • You will also be allowed to have some modifications, depending on available patterns or your current skill on pattern making. 
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 6500 per person for a scheduled group class.
    • Private classes are a different price
  • In this level, you are also welcome to explore various toe shapes, heel heights and the use of a front platform
  • Some are requested to repeat this level before proceeding to Level 5 if they have not fully grasped the processes yet.

Level 5 - Boots Shoemaking Workshop

  • You should have taken Level 4 to enroll in this workshop
  • This is a full-day workshop, usually between 9am to 5 or 6pm, but you will have to come back on a different day to claim the shoe (it needs to stay on the shoe last/mold for a couple of days)
  • In this workshop, you can now create boots, but you would have to send us the design in advance (subject to possible added fees for pattern making)
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 8500 per person for a scheduled group class.
    • Private classes are a different price
  • In this level, you are also welcome to explore various toe shapes, heel heights, use of a front platform

 

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS:

Bride and Groom shoemaking workshop

  • This is a 2-Level workshop (2 separate days as well)
  • Bride and Groom will need to take Level 1 first, then Level 2 for their actual bride and groom's shoes (refer to Levels 1 & 2 above for details)
  • Workshop Fee:
    • Php 24,000 for the couple 
      • Level 1 for 2 persons
      • Level 2 for 2 persons
    • Php 12,000 if bride or groom only (both Levels 1 & 2)

Shoepreneurship 101 workshop

  • This is for those who want to start a shoe business.
  • This is a 3 to 4 hour workshop.
  • This can be done in person or online. All Shoepreneurship workshops are for private scheduling at the moment.
  • Workshop fee:
    • Php 10,000 for 1 person
    • Message us for group session fees