When you picture a man who makes shoes by hand, you may see a hunched figure with grey hair and round spectacles.
You might envision a craftsman practicing a tradition passed down from generations who won’t share many of his trade’s secrets.
Charles Galvin doesn’t fit that mold. At 37 years old, his calm smile and enthusiastic mannerisms break the stereotype of your traditional craftsman.
While holding up his latest creation — a pair of purple leather shoes he’s putting the final stitching on — he’ll quickly delve into the intricacies of the process and share step-by-step how he’s bringing the shoe to life.
Galvin is part of the new wave of artisan makers, spearheading the renaissance of traditional crafting right here in Plant City.
“There’s a lot of interest in returning to buying locally sourced and locally crafted goods,” Galvin said. “Some of it is because people know if they buy an item that was made right here that the money stays in the local economy. If you’re purchasing things from major corporations, the majority of that profit goes up the corporate ladder. It’s not going into the pockets of the people who work there. This allows for people to both interact and engage with the people who are making the products and it opens the door to a conversation that you just can’t get somewhere else.”
Galvin has spent years perfecting his leather work. He’s developed a loyal following for his belts, wallets, purses and even shirts and journals. When walking around downtown Plant City, you’ve more than likely strolled past someone wearing one of his creations. An active member of MAKE Plant City and a frequent vendor at local markets and conventions, his following has spread throughout the country.
As much as he enjoyed stretching his talents and creating jaw-dropping pieces, a seed that was planted years ago itched for the opportunity to grow. In college, he took a course that required him to replicate a shoe for one project using only a small gauge wire and masking tape. It required him to learn every aspect of his favorite pair of shoes and piqued an interest in how the items were made. It continued to make an appearance over the years, capturing his interest until he finally caved and gave it a shot.
It was, in his own words, a “stressful disaster.”
With no formal training, he technically succeeded, but not at a level he was content with. So, with his wife Rebecca Nipper’s encouragement, he began taking classes to learn firsthand how to bring his concept into a reality.
He’s traveled the country for seminars and hands-on training, and his love of the craft has blossomed into his sole focus. While still working his full-time job, Galvin transitioned his workshop into a full-fledged shoe haven. Each pair he makes is closer to pure perfection and now he’s preparing to make his creations public.
He and his wife, who is also an artist, even selected a home to buy based on the availability of space for their respective workshops. Now living near the heart of downtown Plant City, they are able to bring their passions to life while still soaking in all that makes their community unique.
While wearing a pair of shoes he made four years ago, Galvin leaned over his workbench, pointed at the intricate stitching on his latest project and explained why he believes everyone should own at least one hand-made pair of shoes.
“The better the handmade shoe, the longer it lasts,” Galvin said. “If you have a high-quality shoe and you take care of it, it can last you 20 to 30 years. There are places to get it resoled and if you find a good cobbler, you’re talking about an investment that’s going to last you a lifetime. And they’re made specifically for you. Any issue you have, any preference, you can get that addressed in a shoe that’s created just for you. They’re more comfortable and all around just such a better quality.”
Out the gate, Galvin said, the shoes he’ll offer will be designed based on the visions he conjures in his head. He’ll have a certain amount of designs and leather types available and will sell a few pairs of each. Eventually, he said, the plan is to expand to more customizable options.
The shoes take approximately 18 hours of labor to create, which is spread over the course of several days to allow for gluing, setting and other necessary pauses.
Galvin prides himself on creating products you won’t see in a general store. Leather shoes are typically black or brown, but his creations can range in all aspects of the color spectrum.
In October, he said, he’ll open up his full workshop to holiday commissions and will make everything under the sun once again until things settle down in the new year.
“I just like seeing something that comes from my head materialize and be spread into our world,” Galvin said. “The response people have had to my work has been incredible. I’m hoping that continues with my venture into shoe making.”
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