Describing her business as a "labour of love", Ms Clifton's range includes gaiters, brogues and penny loafers, all in miniature.
The former photographer, who spent 10 years living in Wellington, recalled how she envied the job of a shoe-maker who worked at the top of Cuba St.
She found a tutor in Tasmania, contacted her by email and then visited to learn how to make adult shoes.
In April last year, Ms Clifton launched Lou's Shoes, selling baby shoes - which were less technical to make than adult shoes - online and at craft markets.
Business has slowly grown and her shoes are now stocked by 25 outlets, including one in Australia.
Working from a home studio, she was more attracted by the craft than the fashion of making shoes.
"It just seemed like something really satisfying to get into," she said.
All her shoes are based on historic styles and she is not aware of anyone else in New Zealand with her "slant" on baby shoes.
The shoes have a broad market, from "yummy mummies" to tourist, gift, homeware and design outlets.
She was excited about two new Dunedin stockists - Whiteroom and Glue Gallery - along with the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt.
"It's perfect because my shoes are a little bit special," she said.
Ms Clifton grew up in Hokitika and, after 10 years in Wellington, lived in Oamaru for several years, where she was inspired by the town's crafts people. That was followed by a move to Dunedin three years ago.
Craft was going through a revival and, even though economic times were tough, babywear was a "really great market to be in".
"People are always having babies.
"People love that they [the shoes] are made in New Zealand and that they are handmade by one person from a home studio," Ms Clifton said.
Her "maximum robot capacity" was making up to 60 pairs of shoes in a week, although that left no time for anything else.
"At the moment, it's a bit of a labour of love. I wouldn't expect anyone else to be able to produce 50-60 pairs of shoes. It's a specialty thing and a lot of hard work too."
She was now rewriting her business plan and looking at how to deal with expansion, including export and the possibility of bringing others into the business.
She was still learning to make adult shoes and her long-term goal was to also have adult footwear available online.
Ms Clifton was grateful for all the support she had received, including advice from local businesses Drake Leather and Mooneys Furriers.
