Under the Sea for Ileana!

"Under the Sea" is a custom pair of art shoes illustrated by pen and ink artist Halle Riddlebarger for Ileana, a wonderful Village Shoes customer from Monterey Bay, California. Drawn in black india ink on a white leather pump, this pair features various sea life including: a shark, a mola, a sea turtle, a jellyfish, sea stars and more!





Want your own art shoes? The artist can draw on any light colored, smooth leather shoe. Contact the artist at halle@village-shoes.com for details.

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A New Trend: Removable Hardware

Nicole's Persuasive is right in tune with one of shoe
fashion's latest trends: Removable Hardware.
This western style slip-on with it's slender pointed toe and a low heel provides a great look for any woman on the go. What sets this shoe-boot apart from the rest is the o-ring harness which can easily be removed with a single snap for a sleeker, more refined look.

Only $119 at village-shoes.com

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Distressed Predator & Prey - Custom Art Shoes

Be both the hunter and the hunted in this one-of-a-kind pair! Distressed, crackled red uppers over a black and white predator and prey design featuring a cat stalking a bird and snakes hunting mice.


Distressed Predator & Prey is another unbelievable pair by Pen-and-ink artist Halle Riddlebarger who proves that a little ink goes a long way. Beautifully hand drawn in India Ink on a smooth white leather pump by a local Ashland artist, each pair is one of a kind.

Size 8 only $259 at village-shoes.com

See a design you love, but not in your size? Other sizes may still be available! Already have a light-colored leather pair of shoes you'd like customized? Contact the artist by email at halle@village-shoes.com !

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It's Cold Out So We Turned Up The Heat!

Baby it's cold outside, and we know you still have to walk the dog
so we've turned up the heat!
We've slashed prices on our end of year inventory.

Shop Now and Save Big!

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Waterproof and Insulated! Hi-Tec is Here

Thanks to Hi-Tec, you can be warm, waterproof, and stylish! Fully waterproof suede leather uppers with warm faux fur lining and Thinsulate insulation. Lightweight construction and durable non-slip outsole.

*Fits a wide foot very well. Whole sizes only.

Available now at village-shoes.com

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The Soft Glow of the Season

Full of sparkle and glee, the season is upon thee.

Houses that twinkle from a thousand white lights.

Shoppers that scurry before Christmas Night.

Now that it's over, what do we do?

Ring in the New Year,

Hope our dreams all come true.

Inspiration might finds us,

in a million small ways.

Let our eyes be wide open

and our hearts always gay.

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Holiday Wishes To One and All!

Wishing Everyone a Happy Holiday and even better New Year!

Wherever you are, whatever you do...

-photo by Stacey Larnerd

May it be filled with love and light.

-from all of us at Village Shoes

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Something New: Archmolds

We'd like to introduce you to a new product we're carrying in our store: Archmolds. Heat mold-able insoles that help alleviate many of the aches and pains we all can experience in our daily lives.

Archmolds aid in the relief and the prevention of many common problems including...

• Heel and arch pain due to Plantar Fasciitis
• Heel Spurs
• Runner's Knee
• Over Pronation
• Knee and Back Pain

Archmolds Topsheet includes Advanced Ag which has been proven to kill over 650 different bacteria.

"Archmolds are especially helpful for relief of heel and arch problems - the most common foot pains in athletes - because of their deep, conforming heel cups, flexible arch support, and cushioned top-covers. They mold to the shape of the foot with use or may be heat molded easily by the user."

- Dr. Harry F. Hlavac, Podiatrist & Past President of Podiatric Sports Medicine

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And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to our winner Diana L. ! Her quote won her our Winter Prize Package Giveaway.

"I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

~Coco Chanel

May we all meet our destiny with grace, humility and style Diana.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year!

- from all of us at Village Shoes

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Pretty Darn Cute.

I cleaned out my sock drawer recently, and was surprised to discover how many of my old favorites have gotten a little too much love. Mostly in the big toe area. Too bad I can't even sew a button! A little research proves that darning your own socks isn't quite as difficult as I thought, and once you know how, your reinforced favorite argyles are back in rotation!

The other night, while crafting away with VS employee Kerry Alonzo, we got to talking about knitting or crocheting one's own stocking. Turns out there are about a million ways to go about it, from simple stitches to complex knits. Instructions to various stockings can easily be found on the Internet. Shown above are socks of different sizes made by Miss Alonzo, who also made the felted bag seen in the background. Although Kerry makes it look easy, knitting while watching Julia Child hack up about a hundred different sea creatures for Bouillabaisse, I think I'll stick with simple mending...

Posted by Risa R.

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There's Still Time ! Holiday Shipping Schedule

There's still time to shop online and receive Holiday Gifts by Christmas.

3 Day Rush Delivery - Order by 9am PST December 18th. Must click Express Shipping at checkout.

Call 1-866-482-1321 if you need more details.

Holiday Hours and Winter Hours

The store will be closed Christmas Day and News Years Day. We will be closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Winter Hours will start January 3rd. We will be open
Monday - Saturday 11 - 5pm and Sunday 12-5pm

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The Best Way to Spend that Holiday Bonus...

The babysitter arrived late, the baby was screaming, and the three day old leftovers you wolfed down standing over the kitchen sink tasted a little funky... Wearing your favorite black sweater dress and your brand new 'guilty-purchase' ruffled satin platform heels, you madly chip away at the ice on your windshield before surging across town to arrive at your boss' holiday party just as she's completing a warbly rendition of Shania Twain's "Honey I'm Home."

You flash a winning smile as all heads turn upon your grand entrance. Your co-worker mimes at her hair and you mouth "thanks" at her, before realizing that she was trying to covertly point out the spit up in your limp curls. Glancing around, you cant help but notice almost everyone else at the party is wearing a hideous sweater and last season's Ugly boots. You make a beeline for the kitchen and help yourself to a streaming cup of mulled wine.

Unexpectedly you feel someone's eyes on you. You turn and feel your face flush as your work crush, Federico, enters the room and stops short when he sees you. With pleasure, you notice that his black satin shirt matches your new shoes perfectly. Briefly, you allow yourself to drift into a daydream about what his shirt would look like rumpled on your bedroom floor...

Suddenly you realize that he is actually standing quite close and is looking at you quizzically. Had he said something? "What?" You feign deafness as, in the background, the manager's tone-deaf husband drones along with Nirvana. Federico leans into you and you inhale the spice of his aftershave. His eyes slowly move down your body, taking you in. He clears his throat a little.
"Nice shoes."

-written by Risa R.

Black satin ruffle heel, Georgi by Madeline. $69.
Available now at Village Shoes.

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Ugly Sweater Cookies....

Want to make something different for the Holidays?

Check out these Ugly Sweater Cookies!

Sugar cookies made to look like ugly sweaters will surely give your friend's something to talk about.

- photo by Risa R.

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Quotes Entries From Our Fans...

"Stretch pants - the garment that made skiing a spectator sport." ~Author Unknown

"I don't know who invented the high heel, but all men owe him a lot." ~Marilyn Monroe

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

- Anonymous

"Never attempt to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time, and
annoys the pig." - Robert A. Heinlein

"Remember, Ginger Rodgers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels." - Faith Whittlesey

"I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."

~Coco Chanel

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

Don't miss out! Enter your favorite quotes today. Drawing will take place on December 16th.

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Win Our Winter Prize Package Give-A-Way!

Enter for a chance to win our:

Winter Prize Package Give-A Way!

Simply send us your favorite quote, and one lucky winner will receive our

Prize Package worth over $100!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it."
~Albert Einstein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please include your name along with your favorite quote and we'll pick our favorite.

The Prize Package Includes:

Penguin's Water & Stain Repellant Sponge $6

100% Cashmere Scarf, Brown, Made in England $44

Penguin Trim to Fit Fresh Foot Insoles $5

John Fluevog Stripe Belt Buckle $30

Alpaca Gloves, Made in Peru $19 (available in store only)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Give it as a gift to that special someone or keep it all to yourself... we don't care. We just want to give stuff away!

“A pair of shoes can change your life. Just ask Cinderella.” –Anonymous

“Just around the corner in every woman's mind - is a lovely dress, a wonderful suit, or entire costume, which will make an enchanting new creature of her.” ~Wilhela Cushman

What do nudists wear on casual Fridays? ~A.J. Esther

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Belle's in Boots!

The Village Shoe's ladies just love their boots! Send us some pictures of you in your favorite pair of boots. We'll post them on our blog over the next few weeks.

Risa is decking the halls in her Frye Carmen Harness boots with jean leggings under a vintage romper and a white silk blouse.

Halle is wearing her brown Fluevog Heidi boots with an XCVI skirt and a hand knit cowl made by Village Shoe's Employee Kerry Alonzo.

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A special goodbye from Sigrid...

It’s Been A Great Ride
-by Sigrid Strebe

Dear Friends and Sole Mates,

It’s been a great ride and now I’m at the station for my next destination.

It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I am passing the Village Shoes torch to Stacey. She recently purchased Village Shoes and is well prepared to bring the same great service, shoes and accessories you have come to love over the years.

Stacey has been with me from the beginning and loves the store as much as I do. She has been tending to it’s every need for awhile now. She is a strong, beautiful and very capable woman and it will do your heart good to be in her presence. Good Luck Stacey.

My next destination on this ride of life is Minnesota. I am filled with more joy than I ever thought possible. I am teaching yoga, married to a kind and loving man and spending more time with my son. Be careful what you dream, it could come true.

Thank you to all my friends and sole mates that have made the last seven years so great. I miss you all and loved sharing the joy a great pair of shoes can bring. If you ever make it Minneapolis, look me up and I’ll show around our beautiful city.


May love, peace and prosperity follow you everywhere,

Sigrid

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Art Shoes On News 10!

Our very own Halle Riddlebarger was in the news! Sunday KTVL News 10 showed up at the store and interviewed Halle about her custom art shoes. If you missed the spot, which aired on the Monday night news, you can view it now.

Contact Halle if you are dreaming of your very own pair or want to gift a pair to a special someone.

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15% Off Now-Sunday and Free Shipping

100% Cashmere Scarves for Him or Her! They make a luxurious gift for anyone. Made in England. Reg: $44 On Sale: $37.40

Put something special in her stocking this season. Grab a design from local Jewelry Designer Kate Jack. she blends her eye for detail into wearable pieces of art.

Reg: $69 On Sale: $58.65

Killer Kushionz are on every girls wish list! Seriously created to help make shoes more comfortable, and stop annoying, painful issues.

Reg: $13 On Sale: $11.05

A great gift for him or her, Mink Oil softens, preserves, and polishes all smooth leather. Mink oil is a natural water repellent and this product can be shipped to anywhere!

Reg: $6 On Sale: $5.10

What woman doesn't love a good leather handbag? Try this ILI Hobo bag in a stunning purple leather with contrasting tan whip-stitch detail up the sides.

Reg: $84 On Sale: $71.40

Another must have on every girls shopping list this season! Button Ups are a silky soft cable knit legwarmer. Classic Betsey Johnson flair.

Reg: $38 On Sale: $32.30

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What we do...

Today we are introducing you to our featured Artist Kerry Alonzo...

"My name is Kerry. I live in the lovely town of Ashland, Oregon. I happily work at Village Shoes, but I also make jewelry. My pieces are pure fun! I make mostly bracelets and some necklaces. They are put together on stretchable clear elastic with a wide array of beads that I hand pick myself. I use it all - from Vintage to Plastic, as well as semi-precious stones, wood and crystals. For me, the thrill comes from arranging the beads in unexpected combinations. "

Please come by and check out my offerings at the
Oregon Shakespeare Festival Holiday Art and Gift Fair.

Friday December 4th 5 - 9 pm
Saturday December 5th 10 - 6 pm
Sunday December 6th 10 - 4 pm

Great Hall
70 E. Main St.
Ashland, OR 97520
next to the new Motif Restaurant

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