ABOUT US

We are craftsmen, makers of natural and functional adornments.

In the hand and the eye and by the will of nature

There is a gift of excellence that is our artistic expression.

Each creation we make is unique, well-imagined and wholly represents

The quest for perfection that flows from the depths of one's spirit.

Our family enjoys new creations, working as old-world craftsmen

And satisfying the needs of so many customers who become our friends.

FOUR GENERATIONS OF SHOEMAKERS

Jim
The Master who guides. Bootmaker, Master Craftsman, OLD Shoe Dog

Lee Ann
The guiding light, the firm support, the director of sales, markets and healer (nature's gift)

Jocelyn
Dedicated "Mom," Task Master, Production, Accounting Manager, Stitch Witch and great grandmother to our little guys

Robin Jenkins
Our daughter is in charge of QC and custom boot making

About Olde Soles of Nativearth...........

Forty-one years ago when Jim and LeeAnn first met, Jim was working in Italy making ski boots. The shoe making adventure was just unfolding and would take many turns in the next three decades. Lee Ann was a professional in the airline industry working as a Flight Attendant and a professional in human relations. LeeAnn, her mother, Jocelyn, her sister Barbara and the two Granville sons, Chris Andrew, and daughter-in-law Robin make up the present core of Nativearth shoe makers, office management and selling staff.

Jim is a lifetime career expert in shoe, boot, and sandal building, commercially producing millions of pairs of shoes in the past 40 years. Being an engineer in design, product development, tooling, resourcing and production, mold making, and biomechanical technology, his work days were long and always stressful in corporate footwear. After many, many air hours, constant jet-lag, countless months a year traveling in China, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, France, 27 countries in all, Jim and Lee Ann began to consider a change that would return them to a cohesive family unit.

Nativearth beginnings were in the garage in Sonoma County in 1991. That year they did two shows including the Health and Harmony show in Santa Rosa which was a huge success. Jim and LeeAnn started acquiring shoe making machines and their little factory began to take shape.

Nativearth is currently making well-fitting and high quality footwear, offering Court Slippers, eight styles of Period Boots, original Ghillies, and three styles of sandals for men, women and children. These are made in standard, ready-made sizes and can be purchased off the rack. If there is a style you like, we will make it in any color and send it in a few weeks. That’s the beauty of our little business, we are versatile and we are directly responsible for every stitch in each shoe. If you like a shoe style but it doesn’t feel quite right we can trace your foot and hand cut the shoe for you. We have a library of Period styles and can work with our customers to create a shoe, boot, bag, a belt and other accouterments designed to your specifications. Our products are guaranteed to your satisfaction.

We also make custom, Landskenecht, Gypsy and Tudor shoes, William Wallace boots, Buccaneer/Cavalier-style and several styles of button and lace boots from the ankle, up to the knee. We work with you to create what you want. You choose the style, color, buttons, closure and soling -- then you get traced, measured and for full custom, and wrapped in the case of full custom. This is an exact method of creating a perfectly fitted pattern. We select fine grain buffalo, bullhide, deer and elk leathers and will make and hand cut your footwear from scratch with your design. Our turn-around time for semi-custom and custom footwear is an average of five to eight weeks depending on the season.

We have had a wonderful response to our footwear. We like to say it is “no tech.” “In our footwear you will be comfortably supported and protected from the hazards of modern walking-- moving on the earth like going barefoot with comfort.”

We feel blessed by our customers most positive reactions to our products. Our growth in the past fifteen years is based on our commitment to quality and service. We have met a new family of faire people and count our blessings for the healthy experience of our life style.

Visit us at our shop or at our events across the country and see first-hand what we can do for your feet and your soles. Take advantage of our special custom designs, handmade footwear and cordial fittings. Visit us also at www.nativearth.com, you will see some of the variety of our standard and custom boots you can order online.

Come see us in person at our retail store in Mariposa
or check our event schedule!