"Decorating and Customizing Tap Shoes

Using Paints and Rhinestones"

By Laurie Johnson

I''''''''m not really sure what compelled me to start decorating my tap shoes.  I''''''''m glad I did.  It''''''''s become my signature look and my designs become more lavish over the years.  
Here are two approaches to obtaining customized tap shoes:

• Customize Existing Tap Shoes
• Acquire Custom Made Tap Shoes

 Customize Existing Tap Shoes

      A. Determine your color scheme 

      B. Purchase rhinestones that complement your colors. 

I purchase my rhinestones from a store in Los Angeles called Bohemian Crystal. There are several websites as well. Some of them are:

1.     rhinestoneguy.com

2.     rhinestones.com

3.     dreamtimecreations.com

4.     tutu.com

Use either fabric glue or E6000 (found at Wal-Mart) to attach rhinestones to your tap shoes.  Avoid placing stones on the inside of the heels because sometimes they crack when heels are clicked together.  If you’re not a heavy, hard-hitting tap dancer then this is not an issue.

If you apply paint to your shoes you’ll have to use a lot of paint. Sometimes I apply as many as five coats to get it to stick onto the leather. Eventually it will begin to crack.  At least all the paints I’ve used have cracked.  I’ve experimented with lots of different paints and the best so far are acrylic paints from Wal-Mart. They are inexpensive and they sell for about $.98 cents each, not bad, huh?

Acquire Custom Made Tap Shoes

I’m accepting orders from individual who want to have their shoes hand-made in custom leather colors like mine. To date, I’ve had several pairs made. Some of the colors I’ve used are: purple, pink, gold, green, and silver with royal blue and lime green accents. Crazy huh?

Keep me posted on your progress and send me a picture of your shoes when you''''''''re done. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at Laurie@OnlineDanceAcademy.com