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VIENNA - Seeing a pair of $480 sandals inspired a Jackson County woman to create her own line of shoes.

Kim Quillen of Ravenswood said while on a trip to Tampa, Fla., she was helping her daughter shop for a new prom dress when she saw a pair of sandals she wanted. However, when she saw that price tag her mind was changed and she started thinking about them which led her to an idea.

"I came up with the idea of a pair of sandals that could be changed," she said. "With a snap they could have a different look."

That idea became Convertibles

For $85 the buyer gets a pair of flat sandals with a thong toe and T-strap construction with a free snap-on top. Other tops are available for $40, she said.

"Right now they are made in China, but we are looking to have some made in Italy for the higher-end stores," she said. "There will also be more styles beyond the sandal. I'm considering more heel sizes."

Quillen said for now the shoes are available at specialty stores such as Elizabeth Michaels in Vienna. She said her goal is to have the shoes available everywhere from small shops to large department stores and exposure in national magazines.

"They have been featured in West Virginia Living and Woman's World," she said.

Quillen said her love of shoes stems from having to wear what she considered ugly corrective shoes until she was 12.

"After that I wanted pretty shoes and I wanted every shoe I saw," she said. "I'm running out of room for my shoes."

Quillen said with the Convertibles it is possible to pack one pair of shoes and have a different pair every day with the different tops. She said the tops range from seashells to rhinestones, the one that comes with the shoe.

The base of the shoe is wider than most sandals to avoid the look and feel of the foot hanging over the end sides of the shoe, she said.

In her research for her product, Quillen said she came in contact with Lisa Robbins, a shoe designer in Rock Hill, S.C. They are partners in Convertibles. Quillen said she handles the creative side of the business while Robbins handles the business end.

Quillen also takes care of the travel end of the business such as going to China to meet with the manufacturer and other meetings associated with getting the word out about their lineup of shoes.

Quillen said the shoes were a success at the Atlanta Fashion Mart in January, getting orders from a number of buyers.

For now she said the sandal comes in gold, but in August other colors, including black, white and silver, will be available. Quillen has a Web site to promote Convertibles and to recruit retailers at www.convertiblesfootwear.com.