Artist Spotlight: Bobka Baby Shoes

A while ago I wrote about my adventures with baby booties and featured some of my favorites from Etsy. Today I'd like to share a little more about Bobka Baby. I interviewed Julie Marek from Bobka Baby and found out just how dedicated and talented this mother-daughter team really is.

1. Give us a summary of your store and the handmade products you sell.

BOBKA BABY makes quality handmade shoes for every occasion. We are a mother-daughter team. One of us does all the prep work, the cutting, embroidery etc. and the other does all the design, construction and hand finishing of the shoes. Each item is meticulously handmade with great attention to quality and detail. We do not mass produce any of our shoes. Each one is made the same whether we are making one or a dozen. They are little masterpieces.

2. How did you come up with the name BOBKA BABY?

We wanted something that sounded cute and was easy enough to remember. Bobka Baby fit very well. A bobka (babka) is a little yeast sweet cake.

3. Do you have any original designs or do you use mostly patterns?

We started out with patterns but we found too many errors in construction and sizing. Gradually we have developed our own patterns and original designs. With Mom's background making bridal gowns, vintage reproduction garments and children's apparel, she understands design and cut. New designs come easily to us and we have so many new ideas each day that we cannot keep up with them.

4. How did you decide to make baby shoes exclusively?

Over the years we tried many things. Our shoes became successful really quickly and we love making the shoes so much that we decided to stay with that. If you notice, we say 'shoes' not 'booties'. The word 'booties' conjures up visions of little crochet and knitted sock type things that slip off a baby's foot. Bobka Baby strives to make them as much like 'real shoes' as possible for a soft shoe.

5. Do you dream of booties at night?

Yes, Mom dreams of shoes at night. EVERYTHING gives her ideas. You have to look at everything like a piece of art. Movement, texture, color... She doesn't like to look at other people's shoes because she wants hers to be unique with her signature and not someone else's.

I personally like the goal of working towards perfection in all my embrodiery and hand work. There is always room for growth and I love the constant challenge to come up with better and better shoes. Each one is unique to me and to us as a team.

6. How much time a week do you spend on your business? Is this your job or just a hobby?

We spend as many hours as possible to give to our business. We LOVE creating our shoes and we usually work from morning to bedtime. We eat, drink, and live for our shoes.

7. Aside from your Etsy shop, what other creative things interest you?

Since we love to create beautiful things, we are interested in many hobbies. Knitting, crochet, sewing, design, gardening, art... We are interested in many things.

8. What is something interesting about you that others should know?

We were competitive roller skaters for many years. Mom and Dad were national champions when I was born. My brother and I were also national champions but at a much lower level. I am a concert level pianist. I was a child prodigy, starting at age 7 and concert level by 12 years old. I was teaching piano at the early age of 15. Mom and I had a very successful business we called 'Little Ms. Marek'. We designed and handmade beautiful girls' apparel and had our pieces in Nordstroms. Mom had success designing and constructing wedding gowns. Some were period reproductions and some were her own designs. This is where she acquired her vast technical knowledge and ability to create our little shoes.

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

We see BOBKA BABY featured in magazines. We see great success and perhaps see us having a line of shoes manufactures as well as continuing our line of handmade masterpieces. Women love shoes and can't have enough of them. We want to inspire them at a young age so that shoes will always be a special part of their world.

Thanks, Julie, for taking the time to interview! I wish you the best of success for your amazing shoes! And I hope my lovely readers will take the time to look at Bobka Baby. They are truly beautiful works of art.

Comments

[Amber]

These are so freaking adorable! I sent the link to several friends fyi. :) I'm going to buy some for my sister's little girl!

[Jessica]

These are so cute! If only litle boys could wear mary janes :)

[Hypnotherapy London]

I LOVE THESE!

[Kids shoes]

These shoes are really awesome, your collections is tremendous. I have been searching for this since long time.