Sorrell Notions & Findings

04/03/2026

New YouTube video up now, demonstrating using a double-handled knife to cut the heel breast.

Lisa demonstrates using a double-handled knife to cut the heel breast on a pair of cowboy boots.

01/21/2026

Here are some of the challenges of running an import business:

1)The continual, ever-changing, rising tariffs mean that every time I bring in a product I'm forced to raise the price, sometimes by a lot.

2)The dollar continues to drop in value, which means I pay more for each order, which means I have to raise the price.

3)I'm importing things that DO NOT EXIST HERE. I cannot buy them in the US. They are not made in the US. They are not going to be made in the US. There is no path to producing these things again in the US, and if there were, it would be ten to twenty years away and producing it again would require machinery, knowledge, and skills imported from overseas because we've lost it all here.

At this point I honestly don't know if I should give up, buy as little as possible in the hope that things get better, or buy as much as I can afford now because it will only get worse.

11/04/2025

Join Illume Events in Las Vegas, Jan 7–10, 2026—classes, competitions, vendors, and community for leathercraft makers of all levels.

10/08/2025

Here's a really cool little shoe patterning making manual from 1894 that I paid a small fortune for, and I've decided to upload it to my website and share it as a free download.

Home / Free Manuals / Free Guides / Pattern Cutting by Harry William Morris Pattern Cutting by Harry William Morris$0.00 Pattern Cutting by Harry William Morris Northampton Technological Handbook, 1894 Pattern Cutting by Harry William Morris quantity SKU: 20049-1 Category: Free Guides Tags: bo...

06/09/2025

I just uploaded another YouTube video. This one's about Shank Pullers.

Lisa demonstrates how to use cowboy boot shank pullers and shoe shank pullers, which are not the same tool.

05/19/2025

There are more factors that figure into how things are priced other than just tariffs -- there's also currency conversion. Right now there's now a 10% baseline tariff on goods from the United Kingdom, on top of the regular tariffs I already routinely pay. I just received a large order from J&FJ Baker Tannery in England. Their prices have not changed, but the dollar has dropped so much that I paid approximately 20% more for everything in the most recent order.

So unfortunately I have to raise prices. I hate this as much as you do -- I'm also a boot and shoe maker just like my customers.

Send a message to learn more

03/26/2025

Exciting news! I've added a new kangaroo color -- Lavender! And, after years of ordering Turquoise kangaroo and getting Sky Blue, or Jade, or Peacock, or anything other than Turquoise, they've finally matched the color I sent and I have Turquoise kangaroo!

Home / Leather & Rubber / Upper Leather & Lining / Kangaroo Leather Kangaroo Leather$60.00 – $82.00 Top-quality kangaroo leather, tanned in Italy Kangaroo is the best choice for leather inlay and overlay, and it’s also ideal for wallets and wallet interiors NOTE: When I order kangaroo, I h...

02/04/2025

New notification update added for the lasts on the website:
Since the 25% tariff has been delayed until March 1, 2025, I have created a sale on last prices. It's not perfect but I refuse to spend hours on this back and forth. If the last you want doesn't show the sale price, we'll notice that and send a refund.
As noted on all of the lasts I sell, they are made in Mexico. There are no last companies in the United States. US tariffs on products imported from Mexico has been raised from nothing to 25%, so I've been forced to raise last prices 25%.

If you think I sound annoyed, you're not wrong.

Send a message to learn more

02/01/2025

I have a big last (shoe form) order in production in Mexico right now which should ship next week. This is the notice going up on the website:

As noted on all of the lasts I sell, they are made in Mexico. There are no last companies in the United States. US tariffs on products imported from Mexico has been raised from nothing to 25%, so I've been forced to raise last prices 25%.

Send a message to learn more

12/20/2024

There are two new FREE how-to books on my website; both about repairing boots and shoes.
"The Shoe Repairer's Manual" 1936
"Boot Making and Mending: Repairing, Lasting, and Finishing" 1898

There are two pages of free books. If you follow this link and don't see the book you want, try going to the next page. Also, yes, they are free for you to download. The website will insist you go through the process of ordering but at the end it will give you a download link instead of asking for payment.

From I-35, take Guthrie exit #157. Turn west on Hwy. 33 (which is also Noble Ave.), and drive about two miles to the second light. Turn left/south on Wentz Ave., and drive two blocks to the stoplight. Turn left/east onto Oklahoma Ave.

12/10/2024

New Italian-tanned kangaroo. Soft hand, good amount of stretch, perfect for both tops and vamps. Available in limited quantities right now in Black, Chocolate, and Cognac.

Home / Leather & Rubber / Upper Leather & Lining / Arctic Kangaroo Arctic Kangaroo$82.00 – $99.00 Chrome tanned kangaroo, tanned in Italy Soft hand, perfect amount of stretch, excellent for both tops and vamps NOTE: I have no control over the size skins the tannery sends me. If the size/colo...