Fluid Rusitic Floating Shoe Display

Every Shoe display I’ve found online has the same design and aesthetic—a sleek black U-shaped bar with an LED backdrop to highlight the shoe. So, When I was brainstorming how I wanted to move away from this design and the minimalist luxury aesthetic, I still wanted to maintain some key features, a base that surrounds the shoe on the top and bottom, and some lighting source.

[1] Standard Shoe display seen online

I wanted to move away from the rigid blocky base and give it a more fluid, natural look. Wood would be the easiest material to achieve this aesthetic and fits the shape best. There is a technique called power carving, where people take pieces of wood and carve a fluid shape. I have the general shape of the frame, but I want to adapt the exact shape as I’m carving it out. I would want to use solid wood for the wood, but getting a piece that big would be difficult; the alternative would be plywood, which I can cut out of one piece instead of trying to glue together many different ones. The problem with different slaps glued together is mixed grain patterns and seam lines. The problem with the plywood is below the wood veneer are the crossband and the core, which isn’t as appealing as the wood grain. To work around this, I plan to experiment with wood veneer finishing or strategic carving techniques to maintain a natural look. If that doesn’t work, I could easily paint it over, but I would like the whole thing to be wooden. Another challenge is ensuring that the carved frame remains structurally stable. Since power carving removes a lot of material, I must be mindful of weak points where the wood could become too thin or fragile. Reinforcement techniques, such as laminating certain areas or integrating hidden supports, might be necessary to ensure the frame remains strong while keeping the flowing aesthetic intact.

[4] Blacktail Studio                                                      [3] Angle GrinderWood Carving                                                 [2] Power Carving

These examples of power carving show the intricate and fluid designs made from solid pieces of wood. Ideally, I would like to use a single, large piece of wood for this project to maintain the grain patterns of the design and allow for seamless carving. However, finding a piece of wood large enough for the stand might be challenging—an alternative option of layering multiple pieces together or using multiple pieces of plywood. Regardless of the material constraints, I aim to replicate the organic wave-like features in these examples, ensuring that the final piece captures the flowing, sculptural aesthetic that makes these works so striking.

 

Materials

The material list is relatively short. To make the shoe float, I’ve seen people use just a 40-lb magnet and a steel ball to put it in the shoe. From what I can tell in the videos, they can balance the shoe under the magnet with caution. One person used a fishing line to hold the front of the shoe to the bottom of the stand to prevent the ball from snapping to the magnet. Some of the displays online use an electromagnet to balance the shoe. I will start with just a standard neodymian magnet, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll go to the electromagnet. That may prove the most time-consuming, buying and testing different magnets to see if I can find the right one and if I go with an electromagnet that might complicate the electronics for the project. For the wood I talked about above, I am trying to make it out of solid wood, but that might prove difficult; the default plan is to use a couple of pieces of plywood, cut out the rough shape of the frame, and carve a more intricate shape into it. I considered using materials other than wood; the only material that I could replicate the layering and carve would be a nice shape, which would maybe be foam; however, that wouldn’t have the same weight and strength that I would want with wood. Metal would be possible, but I don’t have access to a welder, and it would be more expensive to source that material. I plan on using 3/4″ thick plywood for the base, an Edison light bulb, and a light socket.

[5] Neodymium Cup Magnets, 60LBS                                [6] 3/4 in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft. Poplar Plywood                                [7] 1-inch Chrome Steel Balls

When looking at examples online, I noticed that most designs incorporate some form of lighting, typically LED strips mounted along the along the inner curve of the frame. While LED lights are efficient and provide a modern touch, I wanted to take a different approach and choose a light source that would better complement wood’s warm, organic feel. After exploring various options, I decided to use Edison bulbs, which offer a vintage aesthetic and emit a warm, inviting glow. Edison bulbs have a distinct filament design that produces a soft, ambient light, creating a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere. Their timeless appeal enhances the rustic charm of wood, making them an ideal choice for my project. Unlike the cool, often harsh illumination of LED strips, the golden hue of Edison bulbs highlights the use of wood, bringing out its character. By incorporating these vintage-style bulbs, I can achieve a harmonious balance between functionality and aesthetics, ensuring that the lighting serves its practical purpose and enhances the overall design.

[8] Light Socket                                                                                                            [9] Edison Bulb

Initial Design 

When I was sketching some initial ideas for how I wanted the frame to look, I knew I had come up with the design below [11]. It was inspired by the design on the left [10], which was more fluid and topographical. I was set on something like this, and one of my pod members suggested I try to incorporate the Nike logo somehow, leading me to the next design [12]. I wanted the base to look like a tree trunk with the “roots” supporting the bottom as if the shoe is growing out of it or being displayed on a branch, but the organic shape meshes well with the sharper Nike logo. This image shows where the light bulb would be placed, shining upwards onto the shoe.

 

[10] Levitating shoe display                                                                                                                                                 [11] Initial design Drawing

 

[12] Final Design

 

 

References

[1] Best Suppliers. “Luxury Style 360° Rotation Magnetic Floating Shoe Rotating Display Stand.” Best Suppliers, https://www.bestsuppliers.com/products/pjdq24guhaoh/luxury-style-360-rotation-magnetic-floating-shoe-rotating-display-stand-magnetic-levitation-acrylic. Accessed March 6, 2025.

[2] “Angle Grinder Wood Carving.” YouTube, uploaded by [User/Channel Name if available], 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWnRg9dnLBY&list=PLB1GBM7qYZJ9mqoli8RoVNaic0W7-aGVC&index=13.

[3] “Power Carving with an Angle Grinder.” YouTube, uploaded by [User/Channel Name if available], 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaJb-JcX3GQ.

[4] Blacktail Studio. “Power Carving Wood with an Angle Grinder Using Scrap Wood.” Blacktail Studio, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.blacktailstudio.com/blog/power-carving-wood-angle-grinder-with-scrap-wood.

[5] B0D73FHCKK. “Neodymium Cup Magnets, 60LBS” Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D73FHCKK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AZ7WD823HVBDA&th=1, accessed 12 Mar. 2025

[6] Columbia Forest Products. (n.d.). 3/4 in. x 2 ft. x 4 ft. PureBond Poplar Plywood Project Panel (Free Custom Cut Available). The Home Depot. Retrieved March 12, 2025, from https://www.homedepot.com/p/Columbia-Forest-Products-3-4-in-x-2-ft-x-4-ft-PureBond-Poplar-Plywood-Project-Panel-Free-Custom-Cut-Available-2953/204853877

[7] B007B2AASM. “1” Inch Chrome Steel Bearing Balls” Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B2AASM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A23TVO4Z9GSJEQ&psc=1, accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

[8] Leviton. (n.d.). Weatherproof socket, black (55-R60-00055-000). The Home Depot. Retrieved March 12, 2025, from https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Weatherproof-Socket-Black-55-R60-00055-000/100356874

[9] Feit Electric. (n.d.). 100-Watt equivalent ST19 dimmable straight filament amber glass E26 vintage Edison LED light bulb, warm white 3000K (ST19100/LED/HDRP). The Home Depot. Retrieved March 12, 2025, from https://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Electric-100-Watt-Equivalent-ST19-Dimmable-Straight-Filament-Amber-Glass-E26-Vintage-Edison-LED-Light-Bulb-Warm-White-3000K-ST19100-LED-HDRP/313397561

[10] MARKO. (2023, July 5). Levitating shoe display [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHRH4WpnY1U