Spotlight on Bootblacking
Spotlights are focused time to learn about specialized areas. Spotlight on Bootblacking will take place on Friday in the River-American room.
Rise & Shine – Bootblack Social
8:00am - 9:00am
Session 1 – No Patience for Patina - Daisy Blue
9:00am - 10:30am
Patina transforms leather over time, but why wait? In this class, discover how polish, dye, and/or paint can create stunning effects, from subtle aging to bold, artistic designs. Learn to enrich and personalize your leather goods with unique colors, textures, and layers, giving each piece a distinctive character and story to share.
Daisy Blue (They/Them) is a seasoned Bootblack and Leatherperson dedicated to sharing the art and tradition of bootblacking and Leather culture through community care, education, and mentorship. With over eight years of experience across the U.S., Daisy’s most treasured experiences are stories and history shared during their work at the chair. Outside of bootblacking, they love art, hockey smut, and a cold Dr. Pepper.
Session 2 – Bootblack Coordination: From Chaos to Seamless Success - AJ
10:45am - 12:15pm
You’re ready to dive in. But how do you organize a room full of eager Bootblacks, create accessible schedules, and keep the energy flowing? This class is packed with tips, tricks, and insider secrets to make coordinating fun, efficient, and less stressful. Learn how to create a seamless, enjoyable experience for everyone—ensuring your Bootblacks and your room shines!
AJ has been active in the Leather and Kink community since 2014, focusing on Bootblacking in Central Florida. Inspired by a poolside scene at a summer event, he pursued his passion, earning Florida Community Bootblack titles in 2016 and 2019, and International Community Bootblack in 2019. A dedicated volunteer, AJ supports numerous events across the Southeast and beyond, from stands to helping titleholders, always driven by his passion for learning, teaching, and contributing to the community he cherishes
Session 3 – “Standing" for Accessibility - Creature
1:15pm - 2:45pm
Whether or not you’ve been bootblacking for years, or have been curiously watching from the sidelines, Accessibility in Bootblacking will equip you with the tools to find success no matter your limitations. This class strives to address common (and not so common) accessibility issues that you may run into as the Bootblack, or as the person who is sitting in their stand.
Creature is a neurodivergent, chronically ill & disabled, genderqueer Leather Dyke, Creature uses they/them/fae/faer pronouns. They are the Northwest Bootblack 2024, Western Canada Bootblack 2023, and fae volunteers in a few different roles for various local and international events. Their love for boots and leather care has been a core part of their kink since early on in their kink life and they are incredibly passionate about sharing that love and knowledge.
Session 4 – Getting Hi (Shines) the Rowdy way! - Pup Rowdy
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Join San Diego Bootblack 2019 for a crash course in bringing your shine to life on even the most stubborn boot. The class will cover the process of a high shine, best practices for different styles of boots and how the different types of polish can affect your hi-shine.
Pup Rowdy (he/him) has been a vibrant force in the San Diego Leather Community since 2011. Rowdy embodies the spirit of a Leather Pup, Bootblack & Daddy by being loyal, hardworking, playful & affectionate. He Co-founded San Diego Pets & Handlers in 2014 to create a safe space for folks of all genders and orientations to explore petplay. Rowdy proudly holds the title of San Diego Bootblack 2019+ and is an active mentor to local aspiring bootblacks.
