My new favourite local thing in London is ‘I CAN make shoes.’ As the name suggests, I CAN is a lovely little shoe studio run out of trendy Hackney Downs Studios where you CAN learn to hand-make your very own pair of shoes!

Set up by the very talented Amanda Luisa, I CAN run a brilliant selection of workshops all year round ranging from the three day intensive ‘Start Your Future in Footwear’ through to one-day workshops in sandal making and the rather wonderful ‘Up-Cycle your Shoedrobe’. Each class is hands on – designed to provide a unique introduction to this age-old artisan craft and send you home with a brilliant new skill.

The lovely team at I CAN are all super helpful and always on hand with a haribo lolly to cheer you up should things not quite go to plan. If you ask them (nicely) they will even book out a full day in the studio for you to enjoy a private workshop with your very best girlies. The perfect way to celebrate a birthday or hen do, while away a day giving the ugly ducklings of your ‘shoedrobe’ a new lease of life as you re-sole, re-heel, re-decorate and (finally!) re-wear.

Image courtesy of I CAN make shoes