Our neighbor the shoe designer brought Sophie, her future apprentice, a bunch of shoe fabric samples the other day.

Sophie wasn’t expecting such a wonderful surprise. As our friend took sample after sample out of the large shopping bag, Sophie’s grin grew bigger and bigger.

Even though it was past Sophie’s bedtime by the time our neighbor left, she went to work immediately. With Papa as her gluing assistant, she proceeded to make herself a wallet.

Chloe’s duct tape wallets served as Sophie’s inspiration. While child labor laws prevent our little one from earning her keep with her creations, I am willing to barter with her. A little stuffed animal in exchange for a trendy wallet I can show off to my friends and colleagues? Now that’s a trade I’d be willing to bet on.