The Shoe Camaraderie: Lisa Turnbull shares passion for shoemaking

Fancy fashioning your own footwear? Step right up for a sandal-making workshop with bespoke shoemaker Lisa Turnbull.

Your perfect pair of summer sandals is waiting for you.

All you have to do is make them, and that’s a fun-filled, full-day experience under the guidance of The Shoe Camaraderie and its savvy shoemaker founder Lisa Turnbull.

Simply gather six of your girlfriends, book a class and choose from 12 gorgeous sandal designs before spending a day cutting, gluing, sipping tea and falling in love with your creation.

Lisa, 33, of Kelvin Grove, launched her sandal-making workshops in 2017 after five years as a bespoke shoemaker.

Lisa Turnbull is behind Shoe Camaraderie – sandal making classes for women. Photography: Russell Shakespeare/AAP

“I actually studied property economics at QUT and worked in that industry for seven years, but I always felt like I kinda just ended up there,” she tells Brisbane News of her journey to shoes.

“At 25, I thought, ‘If I’m going to be this stressed and work this many hours it had better be at something I really really enjoy’.”

So she harnessed her love of fashion and design and turned her efforts to shoes.

She learned the intricacies from Brisbane maker David Kelly and, having quit her corporate job, fast-tracked a 12-month course into four.

Leather sandals made at The Shoe Camaraderie workshops. Pictures: Andrea Jankovic

Then she started designing and making shoes for clients throughout Australia, New Zealand, the US, UK, Denmark and France.

“At first I would meet people on my travels and start designing and making for them but it was always a very longwinded process getting sizing and fit right from the other side of the world,” she says of her early days in business.

“I have made high heels before but I was mainly more niche, offering a range of derbies, Oxfords and loafers.

“Eventually I started introducing sandals and I really loved it because it was much faster and easier to fit.”

Leather sandals made at The Shoe Camaraderie workshops. Pictures: Andrea Jankovic

The Shoe Camaraderie was conceived when Lisa realised the isolation of her solo pursuit was at odds with her outgoing personality.

“The misalignment actually led to a diagnosed burnout at the beginning of 2015,” she says.

“I couldn’t do shoes that whole year. I couldn’t do anything creative that year. Eventually, I realised I could stay in the industry, but I needed to be around people and engaging with people.”

And so The Shoe Camaraderie was born.

“I call it arts and crafts for adults,” laughs Lisa, who is also studying psychology at Queensland University of Technology.

Alongside her passion for shoes, she has a desire to contribute to the health and wellbeing of all people.

Leather sandals made at The Shoe Camaraderie workshops. Pictures: Andrea Jankovic

“What I love most about The Shoe Camaraderie is that it provides me with an opportunity to build confidence in others … as well as establish a sense of pride and accomplishment through creating something new.

“When women walk away from a class, they have connected with others, learnt new techniques and learnt what they are capable of. And they have a great pair of new shoes.”

Lisa also offers at-home shoemaking kits and one-on-one classes.

The Shoe Camaraderie classes, $365 pp,

Feb 8 & 22, Mar 7, Mast Furniture workshop space, Virginia.