Winter 2021 Playday at Softstar Workshop
Playday is back!
For those of you who don't know. about twice a year we close our shoemaking lines for part or all of a day and let our staff enjoy a Playday. This is a day where they can work on any creative project of their choosing. They can use any of the tools and scrap materials in the shop, or they can venture out to explore something totally new. The projects do not need to be related to shoemaking in any way, although we are a crew of passionate shoemakers so it is no surprise that lots of innovative shoe designs usually come up.
So why do we do this? There are a few reasons. For one, it acts as a brainstorming session that helps us find better ways to work with our tools and materials. For another, it encourages our staff to think creatively and sometimes results in new products or improved shoe designs. And last, but certainly not least, because IT'S FUN! We beleive that occasionally taking a break from our daily routine to have a little fun does wonders to help employees boost morale and enjoy their workplace... and we wish more businesses embraced this idea.
We unfortunately had to skip our Spring 2020 Playday due to a new pandemic and lockdown restrictions that we all naively thought would only last a few months. After spending those spring months retrofitting our workshop to accommodate socially distant workstations, plastic barriers and lots of disinfecting, we are now well settled in our quarantine-friendly environment and have the means to host a safe Playday once again.
This Playday had a theme: sustainability. Our staff was allowed to interpret this theme as they saw fit. For many people, that meant finding new and creative ways to use scraps that would otherwise be discarded or donated as craft supplies. We think you will find their projects to be very interesting.
Scroll down to see what everyone created. And if you want to see a gallery of all past Playday projects then we have that, too!
Martin is a lifelong runner who began wearing minimalist shoes over 10 years ago when he found they alleviated his chronic foot pain, which eventually disappeared completely. He further studied proper running form through a series of workshops taught by Correct Toes inventor, Dr. Ray McClanahan DPM. Martin has collaborated with several health care professionals to collect and share peer-reviewed studies that show the benefits of minimalist footwear. In his personal life, Martin loves living in the Pacific Northwest because it allows him to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities year-round, including hiking, cycling, rock climbing, surfing and snowboarding.
