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Release your inner geek with DIY shoes

When 31-year-old blogger Amy Ratcliffe discovered an amazing (though intimidating) pair of hand painted, R2-D2-themed Toms, her first thought wasn't to buy them: Instead, she suggested making shoes similarly inspired by sci-fi and fantasy to her geeky friends. The result: A crafting party where up to 15 pairs of specially themed heels and flats were made.“If you take a little bit of time, it�
By Lisa Granshaw and Lisa Granshaw

When 31-year-old blogger Amy Ratcliffe discovered an amazing (though intimidating) pair of hand painted, R2-D2-themed Toms, her first thought wasn't to buy them: Instead, she suggested making shoes similarly inspired by sci-fi and fantasy to her geeky friends. The result: A crafting party where up to 15 pairs of specially themed heels and flats were made.

“If you take a little bit of time, it’s easy to figure out!” Ratcliffe, who runs the blog "Geek with Curves," told TODAY.com. “Try it, and if you screw up, it was just a pair of shoes and not the end of the world.”

A little glitter, a little glue, and you can make your own
A little glitter, a little glue, and you can make your ownAmy Ratcliffe

The group worked on their shoes for eight hours, covering Ratcliffe's Los Angeles home in glitter and glue. From "Game of Thrones" to "Doctor Who," their inspirations were unsurprising for a group whose conversations often turn toward "X-Men" couple Cyclops and Jean Grey or "Star Wars" scoundrel Han Solo. Ratcliffe and some of her friends already had a large following in the geek community from their blogs and Twitter accounts. But there was an overwhelmingly positive response to the shoes as the group live-tweeted their progress and later posted the photos on Flickr.

While decoupage and other crafting can be time-consuming, Ratcliffe insists it's easy once you get started: decoupage is particularly straightforward. Her No. 1 piece of advice: Don’t be afraid to try. “Be patient, and don’t rush your crafting!” she said.

Ratcliffe made these decoupage heels. She wore them to work on May 4, in honor of 'May the Fourth be With You' (an unofficial
Ratcliffe made these decoupage heels. She wore them to work on May 4, in honor of 'May the Fourth be With You' (an unofficialAmy Ratcliffe

Want to make your own decoupage shoes? Here’s how Ratcliffe made her "Clone Wars" pair:

Supplies:

  • A pair of shoes, any texture
  • Magazines or comics to cut up (glossy works better than newsprint)
  • Tacky glue (such as Mod Podge)
  • Paintbrushes (you can buy cheap ones to discard after use instead of trying to wash the glue out of them)
  • Mod Podge or other glossy/matte finish 
  • Varnish 

Instructions:

  1. Clean your chosen pair of shoes.
  2. Go through your magazines and comics, cutting out what you would like to use. (You don’t need to worry about where the pieces will go yet!)
  3. Start putting glue on the back of cutouts and stick them anywhere on the shoes. Try to space out your work. After working on the back a bit, move to the front so the back can dry.
  4. Slowly it will build up on the shoe. (Note: It will take longer than you think! Ratcliffe’s shoes took four hours to finish.)
  5. Once you have layered on all the cutings, use the same Mod Podge or a different glossy or matte finish to go over everything to seal it.
  6. Give the shoes a final, shiny look by adding a coat of varnish.
  7. Now you’re ready to fit right in at the latest con, or make quite a nerdy statement at work!

Check out the rest of the shoes Ratcliffe and her friends made below:

If you have a night of fighting crime planned, don't go out without these Batgirl heels!
If you have a night of fighting crime planned, don't go out without these Batgirl heels!Amy Ratcliffe
The choice is yours: become the ultimate sidekick with some Robin heels or slip into these
The choice is yours: become the ultimate sidekick with some Robin heels or slip into theseAmy Ratcliffe
Everyone loves R2! Another pair of shoes based on the energetic droid.
Everyone loves R2! Another pair of shoes based on the energetic droid.Amy Ratcliffe
Ready to escape into time and space? Don't go without these
Ready to escape into time and space? Don't go without theseAmy Ratcliffe
You can be both a Rebel and an Imperial with these
You can be both a Rebel and an Imperial with theseAmy Ratcliffe
Another
AnotherAmy Ratcliffe
Ratcliffe plans to keep expanding her collection of geeky shoes, and may move on to decoupaging bracelets, rings or even her coffee table next!
Ratcliffe plans to keep expanding her collection of geeky shoes, and may move on to decoupaging bracelets, rings or even her coffee table next!Amy Ratcliffe

More:

Lisa Granshaw is a writer and producer for TODAY.com. She might finally put her old "Star Wars Insider" and "Stargate" magazines to use and DIY her own geeky shoes!