Elf Katie is at it again! Our talented seamstress has always impressed us with her handcut shoe motifs, and she just unveiled her latest creation: pumpkin shoes! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, she came up with this design on a pair of child Classics to celebrate our current harvest season. Our workshop is surrounded by an active farming community...

This question is for you, parents: What is the best gift you've ever received? Exact answers will vary of course, but we'd bet our magical Elf hats that it had something to do with your children. After all, kids are gifts that keep on giving; they are constantly presenting us with new and exciting treasures that enrich our lives, from...

Our move date is still many months out, but we're seeing a lot of progress happening on our new workshop! The historic building in neighboring Philomath, Oregon was originally a roller skating rink back in the 1950s, but has turned into a crumbling eyesore over the past few decades. We're thrilled that our new shoemaking workshop will not only give...

Earlier this year, we came across a photo of Albert Einstein sitting on his front porch wearing a very fluffy looking pair of slippers. While we smiled at their goofy and adorable appearance, we couldn't help thinking they also looked incredibly warm and cozy. After all, Einstein was pretty smart, so if he thought they were a good idea... (function(d...

It's a familiar story. Fall is here, teachers are readying their classrooms for new faces, and families are preparing for the approaching school year. Backpacks are being stocked with freshly-sharpened pencils, folders are being personalized with bright stickers, and closets and drawers are being gutted and appraised to find the gaps left by the growth, wear, and forgetfulness of last...

IT'S BEEN 30 YEARS! Last month, we celebrated Soft Star's 30th anniversary by taking the whole staff to Oaks Amusement Park in nearby Portland, Oregon. The festivities are still underway at our workshop as we prepare to release our new chukka shoe. This week, we're excited to share our latest creation: a timeline of Soft Star's history, starting from humble...

Believe it or not, it's been 30 years since Tim and Jeanie Oliver sold their first pair of Softstar shoes in 1985. This is a big anniversary for us, especially at a time when we're preparing to mark another milestone by moving to a bigger workshop. It's definitely a far step from the old school bus the Olivers once used...