Long story short, my dog got into my brand new pair of leather heels. ( actually worn once in Vegas).

I took them into the shoe repair shop and they said it will take at least 90 bucks to fix the heels. I can't afford to pay that much to repair a pair of heels right now.

I actually just got them out of the garbage in the hopes of making them semi decent again. I can't glue back the missing pieces, because I think the dog ate them. I tried nail polish, but I couldn't find the right color to match the shoes.

I am planning on just wear these out casually to bars, casual dinners, and just exploring around the city. I would never wear them to a job interview ( too high!), classy dinner or any other formal event. These are just going to be my "fun" shoes. I had a nude colored piece of yarn, but I went for the bright blue!

The question is, can I pull these off for a casual event? I hotglued yarn unto the ends and I am planning on just putting a shellac or clear nail polish on tip.

( I have attached pictures of before and after)
I have made sure to line up the yarn, so they are straight, the glue isn't showing etc. The close up looks just like the picture.

Way cute!


Coming from someone who scraped the heel of her black stiletto and tore the leather off of so wrapped it in electrical tape!

Color blocking is way in right now, and I love the color contrast you used!

I would recommend wrapping the string all the way up to the seam of the heel, where it meets the sole of the shoe. Otherwise, it tends to look a little unfinished against the natural design of the shoe itself. That might be a little tricky, but I think it would make the whole ensemble look more professional.

But that's just me being nit-picky. I think they're still fine as-is.

^ Yeah, I am currently trying to figure out how to wrap it all that way to the top. The problem I see is that the bottom part will thicken based on the fact it has to warp in a oval shape. Do you have any ideas? Maybe cut pieces to just glue?

^Agree. Or if you can't get the yarn all the way to the top, just fill it in with some small rhinestones.

Rhinestones! OH MY GOD...they sell these super cute blue ones too. BEDAZZLE time

YES! Rhinestones to fill in, especially if A) they match the color of the yarn almost exactly or B) are yet another contrasting color to go with the color blocking theme. Heck, find a color you like and you could even stone the front platform, too!

How about light green Rhinestones, or maybe a orange?

These are so going to be my pimping shoes, for sure.

Or a coral-y? But I do like the options you have mentioned. We are going to require more pictures of the final product!!!

Definitely rhinestones, and then I would put some rhinestones on the platform part as well to make them super glitzy and over the top... like these www.youtube.com . . .

Ahhh! I love the colour blocking, and the rhinestone idea is genius. Can we see pics of the finished product when it's done? I am totally going to do this to a pair of my old nude heels.

I will take a picture of them when I am all done.

I am almost tempted to start my own shoe designing store in SF. I can sell cheaper nude heels in all sizes and have different strings, ribbons, rhinestones...and people can bedazzle custom their shoes! Anyone want to be my business partner? It can be like an arts and craft store, for adults! I should look into a patent...

^That sounds so fun!!!!

^ I am thinking maybe flip flops would be cheaper. It can be like build-a-bear but for shoes.

Hmmm how do I go about setting up my own business. I know Amazon sells rhinestones in bulk...

I was actually going to suggest maybe some ribbon instead of the yarn. It will be thinner so it won't look bulky if you go all the way up.
I like the look though so I think you can save these!

This made me think of DDN member - Kathy - who made a tutorial on decorating old pointe shoes. Here is the link.
www.dance.net . . .

If you have enough time and patience you might come up with something interesting for the heels using the method.

Otherwise, I agree with the suggestion of rhinestones. Or you could glue some bow. Happy decorating!

They look so cute
Makes me want a pair like it