Guest Blog by Sandy, The Birkenstock Lady: Custom Multi-Colored Mayaris & Global Birk Love

Guest Blog by Sandy, The Birkenstock Lady. A creative tribute to custom craftsmanship and Birkenstock love.

Staying Connected Through Birkenstocks During Lockdown

Dear Readers,

For the past ten days, I’ve been sheltering in place here in the San Francisco Bay Area, just like many of you around the world.  With the entire State of California on lockdown, daily life has changed drastically—almost overnight.

Between securing food and those hard-to-find household essentials (yes, toilet paper made the list!), homeschooling my kids, and disinfecting every inch of the house, I’ve also been following an endless stream of real-time news updates.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has reached out to check in on my family.  Your kind messages from across the globe remind me just how special this community is.  I’m deeply grateful for my Birkenstock friends and wish each of you and your loved ones safety and good health during this challenging time.

Thanks to my blog, I’ve had the privilege of meeting incredible people from all over the world who share a passion for Birkenstocks.  One of the most inspiring is Sandy, the owner of Sandy’s Birkenstock Boutique in Australia.  Although we haven’t met in person, our shared love of comfort, cork, and craftsmanship keeps us connected through social media.

While hunkered down at home, Sandy found a bit of extra time—so I asked her to do something I rarely do: write a guest blog post.  She’s been working on a special project that I know my readers will love, and there’s no better person to tell that story than Sandy herself.  She’s not only a true Birkenstock expert but also a talented writer with heart and humor.

So, take a short break from the constant stream of heavy news, grab a cup of something warm, and enjoy this lighthearted, uplifting piece from my dear friend Sandy.

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Stay safe and stay comfy,

Gina Mama 
Founder & Creator of "I Love Birkenstocks"

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Watch Sandy’s Custom Multi-Colored Birkenstock Mayaris Come to Life

Before diving into Sandy’s incredible guest story, take a moment to see her custom Birkenstock transformation in action.  This short video captures how Sandy, The Birkenstock Lady from Australia, collaborated with Michelangelo of Custom Made Birkenstocks in Chicago to create her one-of-a-kind, multi-colored Mayari sandals. From mixing metallic straps to showcasing bold new color combinations, this project celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and global Birkenstock community love.


Watch the video below, then scroll down to read Sandy’s full Birkenstock story.

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Multi-coloured Mayaris
By: Sandy, The Birkenstock Lady

​Birkenstock have been making the world’s most comfortable shoes for centuries.  In recent years, they have upped their stakes in innovation and collaboration showcasing fashion-forward trends, designs and styles.  With so many new offerings appearing with each seasonal release, most Birkenstock lovers’ appetites are regularly sated.  But every now and then, if you hesitated on buying that one pair of Birkenstocks only to later discover that they’re gone and never to be made again, then you may understand the concept of Birkenstock regret.  Or perhaps you were out and about and saw a stranger wearing the most extraordinary Birks, but deep down in your gut you also knew that they were likely an exclusive or vintage and most definitely imaginary needle in a haystack that you shouldn’t even bother trying to search for—Birkenstock envy.

Inspired by Gina Mama: Creating My Own Multi-Colored Birkenstock Mayaris

I’ve been following Gina Mama’s blog for years, and we formed a fast friendship over our mutual love and enthusiasm for all things Birkenstock.  One thing that has always impressed and inspired me is Gina Mama’s willingness to adapt her Birkenstocks to her tastes.  Be it stripping white soles to replace them with darker or funkier alternatives, or dying/painting leather straps to appease her need for a shade of red that Birkenstock didn’t release in a particular run.
 
Inspired by this bespoke Birkenstock behaviour, I decided to embark on a little experiment that would appease my sense of Birkenstock envy with regard to something I had occasionally seen over many years, but never had the opportunity to acquire myself—multi-coloured Mayaris, where each strap is its own separate colour.  Bold and loud foot fashion has always been a passion of mine, be it a quirky style, or a mismatched colour combination of the same shoes.  I should mention that there are a couple of two-tone combination Mayaris that have just launched at Birkenstock USA at the time of writing (Gina Mama never misses a new release--thank you for bringing it to my attention!) and whilst lovely, they are a touch too subtle and delicate for my audacious feet!

Electric Metallic Birkenstocks – A Shimmering Trio of Style

Electric Metallic Birkenstocks in vibrant blue, taupe, and bold pink — a dazzling collection that proves comfort and shine can coexist. Photo by Michelangelo.

From Brisbane to Chicago: My Dream Collaboration with Custom Made Birkenstocks

I’ve had the privilege of working with many great Birkenstock repairers and recrafters over the years who have helped me convert one-off discoveries of narrow-footbed beauties to my preferred regular width, but working with one man in particular had been on my wishlist for quite some time.  Michelangelo from Custom Made Birkenstocks is located in Chicago in the US, almost 15,000 kilometres from my hometown of Brisbane in Australia—but distance was no obstacle for my heart’s desires.  And Gina Mama has raved about Michelangelo’s services and creations for years, so he was the only man who I wanted to entrust with my special project.
 
I set aside three pairs of Mayaris from the “Electric Metallic” series, one in each colour released, and mocked up my ideas in Photoshop to convey my vision to Michelangelo.  Without hesitation he agreed to work with me!  Thrilled and excited, I hurriedly packed my lovelies and shipped them halfway around the world.  Michelangelo worked expertly and expediently to strip off the soles, disassemble the straps, reconfigure the colour combinations according to my specifications, attach new soles and ship them straight back to me.

Custom Made Birkenstocks – Straps Removed for Recrafting

Custom Made Birkenstocks in electric blue, taupe, and pink metallic — with straps removed as part of a unique recrafting and restoration project by Michelangelo.

Custom Made Birkenstocks – Mixing and Matching the Straps

A playful experiment in style and color: Custom Made Birkenstocks with mixed-and-matched straps in electric blue, metallic taupe, and pink. Photo by Michelangelo.

My Bespoke Multi-Colored Birkenstock Mayaris: A Joyful Reward for Creative Footwear Lovers

​Just like that, I became the proud new owner of three new bespoke pairs of multi-coloured Mayaris.  They are among my absolute favourites from my personal collection!  I do often get asked about them by people in the street, and it delights me to own something so very unique.  International shipping obviously added to the cost associated with this project, and is something that definitely needs to be factored in should you ever wish to embark on a similar journey.  But I thoroughly recommend giving it a go as it gives me so much joy to look down and marvel at my bespoke beauties.

Custom Made Birkenstocks – Final Mixed Metallic Creations for Sandy

The completed set of Custom Made Birkenstocks designed for Sandy, showcasing mixed metallic straps in blue, silver, and pink. Each pair reflects expert craftsmanship and creative flair. Photo by Michelangelo.

Gratitude to Gina Mama and Michelangelo for Inspiring My Custom Birkenstock Journey

Thank you Gina Mama for the inspiration to create and the opportunity to share my custom Birkenstock story here.  Thank you to Michelangelo from Custom Made Birkenstocks for his craftsmanship and for his photographs while my Birkenstocks were in his charge and care.

Sandy and Her Custom Metallic Birkenstock Mayaris

Sandy proudly shows off her “lovelies” — custom-made Birkenstocks featuring metallic straps in blue, pink, and silver. A perfect blend of comfort, creativity, and shine. Photo by Sandy.

A Colorful Reminder: Buy the Birkenstocks You Love Before They’re Gone

Should Birkenstock ever relaunch bright multi-coloured straps in their Mayari range, or any other model that takes your fancy—recent releases have actually included a couple of spirited colourful Zurich, Salina and Yao models—buy what you love when you see it, don’t wait!
 
Sandy
The Birkenstock Lady

Sandy Wearing Her Mix N’ Match Birkenstocks in Vietnam

Sandy shows off her custom Mix N’ Match Birkenstocks in metallic blue and pink while exploring Vietnam. The vibrant dragonfly mosaic beneath her feet perfectly complements her colorful, creative sandals. Photo by Sandy.

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Editor’s Note from Gina Mama

I hope you loved Sandy’s story as much as I did!  Her creativity and passion for Birkenstocks perfectly capture what this community is all about — comfort, individuality, and a whole lot of fun.  To help readers who might be curious about custom Birkenstocks or recrafting their own pairs, I’ve put together a few frequently asked questions below.  These are questions I often get through my blog, YouTube channel, and private Facebook group.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Birkenstocks

1. Can you really customize Birkenstocks?

Yes!  While Birkenstock itself doesn’t offer custom color combinations, many fans (like Sandy and me) work with trusted Birkenstock recrafters to create one-of-a-kind pairs.  Customization can include new soles, color mixing, strap changes, or even dying leather to achieve your dream shade.


2. Who is Michelangelo from Custom Made Birkenstocks?

Michelangelo is a Chicago-based is a Board Certified and Licensed Pedorthist known for his exceptional craftsmanship and creative flair. He’s helped countless Birkenstock lovers—myself included—repair, resize, and reinvent their shoes.  You can find his work showcased throughout my blog and on his official social pages.


3. What are multi-colored Birkenstock Mayaris?

Multi-colored Birkenstock Mayaris feature straps in different hues instead of one solid color, giving a bold, playful twist to the classic design. Sandy’s custom Mayaris from the Electric Metallic series are a perfect example of how mixing colors can make your Birks totally unique.


4. Are custom Birkenstocks worth the investment?

Absolutely.  While international shipping and craftsmanship costs can add up, the result is a pair of bespoke Birkenstocks that reflect your personality and fit preferences. They’re comfortable, high quality, and—best of all—truly yours.


5. How can I learn more about Birkenstock recrafting?


If you loved Sandy’s story, you’ll also enjoy my blog Giving Thanks to Custom Made Birkenstocks | Gold Crocodile Gizehs. In that post, I share how my lifelong love for artisan footwear led me from a Venetian cobbler’s window to Michelangelo’s workshop at Custom Made Birkenstocks in Chicago.  My dream of owning custom shoes came true through a pair of Gold Crocodile Gizehs—beautifully recrafted, perfectly fitted, and every bit as special as handmade Italian leather.


Over the years, I’ve collaborated with Michelangelo on several custom projects, from Ferrari-red Arizonas to suede-wrapped footbeds molded from my wide-foot impressions. Each creation proves that with the right craftsmanship, Birkenstocks can be as bespoke and luxurious as any high-end shoe.  Don't miss Birkenstock Diva where I change a pair of “Pepto-pink”Gizehs into an amazing shade of purple -- and of course swap out the white soles for something a little more classy.

If you’re curious about bringing new life to your own Birkenstocks, explore my full Birkenstock Recrafting Series on I Love Birkenstocks.  You’ll find before-and-after transformations, DIY customization tutorials using Angelus paints, Glitterlites, and Tarrago creams.

From rare recrafts to creative one-of-a-kind designs, these stories celebrate the best of Birkenstock artistry—comfort, craftsmanship, and individuality. Be sure to check out my Videos page to see many of these tutorials in action.

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Keep Exploring: More Comfort, Care, and Customization Guides

If this story inspired you, you’ll enjoy diving into more of my Birkenstock (and beyond) posts—each one packed with practical tips, creative experiments, and personal discoveries from years of wear and repair.


· How to Break In Your Birkenstocks – My tried-and-true method for softening straps, molding the footbed, and turning stiff sandals into all-day comfort.


· How to Care for Your Birkenstocks – A complete care routine for leather, suede, nubuck, Birko-Flor, and EVA styles, plus how to seal cork and refresh tired footbeds.


· How to Clean White Sole Birkenstocks – My quick, 15-minute trick to make white soles look brand new again using simple household items.


· How to Break In Leather Birkenstock Straps – Easy ways to soften stubborn leather with coconut oil, fine sanding, and the famous “sock hack” for hot spots.


· How to Clean Nubuck Uppers – A gentle step-by-step routine to keep nubuck Birks looking soft, smooth, and fresh with erasers, brushes, and stain guard.


· How to Clean Birkenstocks with Birko-Flor Uppers – Why Birko-Flor is the ultimate low-maintenance travel material and how to clean it in seconds.


· How to Dye Leather Birkenstocks – The DIY project that turned my peeling metallic Arizonas into bold red showstoppers using leather dye.


· How to Change the Color of Leather Birkenstocks – A faster, cream-based technique to give your favorite sandals a brand-new custom look.


· How to Fix Squeaky Leather Solovair Derby Boots – A non-Birk detour about the British boots that stole my heart—and how I silenced the squeak while keeping my Birkenstock insoles.


· How to Break In Dr. Martens, the Birkenstock Way – My crossover comfort test comparing the break-in process of Docs to Birks, with hacks to make it painless.

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Follow me on Instagram so you never miss a new blog or Birkenstock adventure!

A peaceful morning walk through the UC Berkeley campus — sunshine, crisp air, and my Birkenstock Arizona Pebbles in Metallic Black leading the way toward the Campanile. Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date with my latest blogs, Birkenstock adventures, and behind-the-scenes favorites!

Here’s one of my pairs of Custom Made Birkenstocks — a bold two-tone black and red design with chunky soles. I don’t think I’ve written a full blog about them yet, but I’ve definitely shared photos in my private Facebook group!

Here’s one of my pairs of Custom Made Birkenstocks — a striking two-tone black and red design with chunky soles. I haven’t written a full blog about these beauties yet, but I’ve definitely shared photos of them in my private Facebook group! Come join and say hello.

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