Top ten before/afters of 2012.

I actually had difficulty narrowing down which commissions were my favorite. My life is so rough. Five more orders could have easily been added, but I wanted to stick with my top ten. I didn't base this purely on overall transformation, rather focusing on the end result as being a testament to Redo My Shoe's objective: creating a new shoe. Let me know what you guys think. What should have been added? Any pair that should have been excluded? I love hearing from you.

Whitney's Volcano strass Daffy

There's a fascination with Volcano crystals that I just don't understand. Personally, I don't feel they're a very wearable color. I'm not the one wearing them, though, so that opinion holds no water. I chose Whitney's transformation because of the mind-blowing 'after' I was able to achieve. The Daffy style on its own was a statement shoe; thick heel, 6.5" height, red suede. You have to walk with confidence to pull off a shoe of that nature. Factor Volcano crystals into the equation and the end result is simply insane. I cannot imagine what Whitney wore these with, but when she did, I'm sure she felt - excuse the gay cliche - "fierce".

Nina's Jet Strass Very Prive

Champagne satin and black lace overlay; seems more black-tie than white gown, right? Well, Nina decided on these Very Prive for her wedding day, a choice I was a bit nervous about when approached with the idea. She wanted the heel done completely in Jet with the rest of the shoe strassed sporadically with various-size stones. I'm telling you now, strassing over lace is quite tedious. Needless to say I nixed the heel idea, opting to execute the entire shoe in an organic, free-flowing pattern. I absolutely love how they turned out, because they're elegant enough for a wedding but neutral enough to be worn on multiple occasions. Plus, it was my first experience with lace and I'm confident in my ability to achieve the same great results the next time around.

Zahra's Volcano Strass Clichy

Zahra's Clichy were my third patent leather order of 2012, but I selected this commission in part to the unconventional approach we took. I've since established a no-patent-leather policy, but that's beside the point. What I'd like to focus on is Zahra's inclination to choose a gold background for her Clichy, rather than the typical purple/fuchsia base I work with when using Volcano crystals. These rhinestones reflect all shades of the rainbow, but I usually stick with a purple-painted base as at first glance - as in looking straight at the crystal - Volcano is partial to that color. However, as the wearer walks in the shoe, shades of orange, yellow, and red become more prominent. And what better base than gold to further accentuate those hues? Not only did the gold background soften the vibrancy of Volcano, but it created an overall romantic feel to an otherwise flashy concept. Zahra, good job thinking outside the box!

Amber's Tri-color Strass Lady Corset

This was a fan-favorite from the get-go, but surprisingly I wasn't crazy about the transformation. Jet Nut was used on the heel and heel counter, Jet on the straps, and Olivine on the vamp and platform. What bothered me about this commission was the Jet stones used on the straps. Perhaps a brighter stone would have better segmented the upper and lower sections. People loved it, regardless. It was one of my first experiences using a tri-color pattern, and I view each order as an opportunity to improve my aesthetic.

Simbiat'd Crystal AB Strass Lady Daf

Yes, these were the Lady Daf before, but I didn't snap a picture of the original shoe before sending them off to the Leather Spa to have the Mary-Jane strap cut off. In my opinion, these were a total 180 degree redo. Whenever a section of a shoe is altered, it takes it to the next level in my eyes. I've seen a strassed Lady Daf, and it looks off. The Lady Daf actually looks odd in general. The placement of the strap is positioned too high for my taste. Anyway, this was my second Crystal AB Daffodile of the year, but I preferred this one over the first one. Perhaps it was because Simbiat was from the UK, and whenever I receive a substantial order like this one from another country I see it as a chance to further expand my presence in the international market.

Janel's Two-tone Strass Carnaval

This is a different shoe, you'd think. Painting the back black was actually my idea, and I'm so glad Janel agreed. A nude front and back would have made the silk petals look like an afterthought. I'm unaware as to the number of times Janel wore her Carnaval in their former state, as that neon pink was a tad flashy. Now, though, they're perfectly equipped to handle any occasion. Jet stones provide subtle sparkle, while the Silk rhinestone on the vamp are enough to give the wearer that added sex appeal.

Jessica's Tri-color Strass Insectika

Three beautiful colors rolled into one fabulous shoe. The Insectika on its own is rather odd-looking, but strassed in Blue Zircon, Citrine, and Fuchsia they're the epitome of a party shoe. What I've come to love about tri-color strass is that it opens the door for that many more wardrobe options. Jessica wore these to the Christian Louboutin boutique in Paris, so I wonder what the salespeople thought(being that this combination has yet to be seen anywhere).

Moenique's Metallic Light Gold Strass Lady Daf

For sure one of my favorite commissions of the year, not only for the change in silhouette, but for the stone chosen. Metallic Light Gold is the perfect compromise between gold and silver. In fact, I will be strassing a pair of my sneakers in this color. I love it that much.

Ayse's Vitrail Medium Strass Fifi

I loved this before/after so much I made it the graphic on my business card. Enough said.

Desiree's Meridian Blue Strass Lady Peep

Not only are these in my top ten for 2012, but I'd include them in my top three. I am absolutely crazy about Desiree's Lady Peep, so much so that I had my brother photograph me wearing them. I'm sure it was a proud moment for him. Meridian Blue can be overpowering if used on the wrong style shoe. On the Lady Peep, the shoe's stature is so extreme - and at a size 41, substantial - that it was enough to handle the psychedelic appeal of the stone. Desiree loved them, and I can definitely see why.

Honorable mentions

Isabel's Crystal AB Strass Fifi

Light Siam AB Strass Lady Page

For sale, size 39, new in box, $2,200.