A Liiittle Into My Toms

I started out with a gray pair about a year ago, and a few months later my Mom gifted me some red ones. While visiting a friend in Miami, I went a little nutty and bought some light blue glitter ones, and burlap. I'd say I'm stocked. So, with the gray ones wearing out, I didn't mind doing a little experimenting.

I know painted Toms are for sale for on Etsy, and I really do love these Van Gogh Starry Night Toms, but I wanted something a little simpler. I read into painting them, but it seems like the paint wears off pretty easily. I remember, from years ago, seeing Martha use a bleach pen to achieve a batik effect on some linens. Why not try it on my old Toms?

I felt like a teenager decorating my shoes, it was so much fun! I get tons of compliments on them, and people asking me how I made them.

It's a good idea to give your bleach pen a test run and see how quickly, smoothly the gel comes out. Once you're comfortable, go ahead and draw it on your shoes. There is no rush to get it all done; if you're using the right amount of gel, it won't drip! Once the gel was on, I left it about 15 minutes, then rinsed it off under my kitchen sink, which didn't smear the gel at all. They were dry the next morning and I was so excited to wear them!

And here is my little boy modeling them.
This was a great project, mainly because it came out well with no preparation. I did mine free hand, but when I do it again, I'll probably use a pencil and do some outlining first. And that's all there is to it! So go make some Toms. Have fun! Would love to hear how this goes and see some pictures!