Shoofly Shoes: Creative and Whimsical Baby and Toddler Hand-painted Shoes

Shoofly Designs makes delicious hand-painted canvas shoes for your little one. Creative and fun, I'm loving them! Available in sizes 1-7 (basically fitting from baby up to 2 1/2 year old toddler - though you can get larger sizes by special order), you can order by gender or theme (they have 26 themes!).  You can get their shoes in canvas high tops or mary janes.  We checked out the Pretty Pink Poodle high tops with a pink poodle and sparkly black paint ($49). So darling, my little girl will be rockin' these once she's born and can actually can fit into them!  For the girls, I also liked the (polka) Dots and Stripes ($44), the sweet Pink Gingham ($46), and the almost in season Christmas Tree mary janes ($44). For the boys I liked the Plaid and Stripes high tops ($49) and the Cow high tops($49). Lisa Schulist is the president of Shoofly Designs. According to the Shoofly Design's website, the idea was born in 1989. While Lisa was an art student, she supported herself with a freelance job designing and hand-painting clothing and baby shoes for an upscale children's boutique in a suburb of Chicago. After graduation, she first became a graphic designer, then a website designer. Lisa says, "My interest in starting up Shoofly Design, Inc. grew out of my desire to create objects that allowed me to hold a real paint brush in my hand again, in addition to the digital paint brush I had been accustomed to working with via the computer." Also included on the website is how to care for the shoes. Made with non-toxic fabric paint, please handwash - no throwing them in the washing machine or dryer. Please also note: hi-top shoes come with white shoelaces, and the colored laces are an additional fee.  The website will be revamped soon and new styles added. Check out the just added Republican Elephant high tops and the Democratic Donkey high tops - so cute!!!! You can buy Shoofly Shoes online or in two stores (they have plans to expand into many more). Exclusive for CBB Readers: 1 pair of 27" solid colored shoelaces. A $4.95 value. Use Voucher Code: 111302007.  Offer expires 11/30/07.