Ziabird Grand Opening/Artist's Reception--Jewelry and Hats

Last Friday night I attended the Grand Opening of a new boutique in Wilmington--Ziabird. Owner Lynn Mannock, wearing one of my free-form sinamay headpieces, not only is a jewelry maker herself, but has accumulated a wealth of local, regional, and national artists who create one-of-a-kind wearable art, most of it jewelry...amazing jewelry!



Lynn is multi-talented. She also is a film/theatrical costumer, a personal stylist, lampwork bead maker, and so on!



She also carries some of my hats, which I'm very pleased about. Normally I don't sell my hats and headpieces outside aMuse, but I was impressed by Lynn and her vision for having a venue for handcrafted pieces here in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Here I am with my friend Debra Pyeatt, a beading artist, who is represented by Ziabird and aMuse. She does very intricate work and many times incorporates some of our local seashells.
You can see some of Debra's work by clicking here.

I was asked by Lumina Station, the shopping center, to give a short interview about my work and how it is fits into Ziabird's collection. This is a shot of me yammering on--champagne glass in hand, of course. You can see one of my flat packing hats in the background.

The hat I wore for this event was one I made to wear to the opening cocktail party at the International Millinery Forum this past January, in Australia. It is a buckram piece, covered in ultraseude, with heavily veined veiling (vintage, don't ya know), and a silk, jewel encrusted trumpet flower. All this is perched on my head, and secured with a strip of the ultraseude used as a bandeau. The men loved it!

Flowermaking for Millinery and Hat Girls

Last week I had the good fortune to be offered two lovely vintage hat mannequins for my shop, aMuse: artisanal finery. I have a few vintage mannequins, but none like the ones this woman brought in for me to see. Most of mine don't have features, just the shape of a woman's head is about as defined as they get. I call them my 'hat girls.'

These new (um, vintage) 'hat girls' are just begging for names! And that's where you come in. I'd love to hear what names their unique faces suggest to you. Is it an old-fashion name like Rose, or Pearl, or Clarise? Or a more modern name like Susan, or Jessica, or Stephanie? What about exotic--Lolita?

I'll post their new names here in 30 days, on July 21! You can either leave suggestions for their names in the 'Comments' here on the blog (comments are at the end of each blog entry) or email them to me at jan@hatshatshats.com.

'Hat Girl #1' is above. She is rather alien-looking but with a sweet smile you can't really see in the picture. Her coloring---silver. Yep, silver, with a long swan neck. She'll be wearing some of the more artful hats.

'Hat Girl #2,' as seen above, is from the 1950's. She has beautiful full make-up and 'real' false eyelashes. (Did I just say 'real' false??) She has some 'Hollywood' about her too. She'll be wearing glamorous hats.

WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES??

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OK, on to the next bit in this blog entry.

I have a bride I'm working with who wanted a silk flower in multiple shades of silk to go with her taffeta dress from Nicole Miller. A beautiful dress that has a very, very matte metallic thread running through it. Sometimes the thread shows up as silver, sometimes, gold, and sometimes coppery or even platinum. It is amazing fabric to say the least!

The flower will be coupled with a face veil of vintage silk veiling; the very fine spider webby type that is hard to come by.

Below is the flower, and I've shown some pictures of the process to get the stamens that same silver/gold/copper/platinum color.

The flower is a combo of about 5 different colors, textures of silk fabric.

I used glass glitter to change the color of the stamens. These are 'mica,' '24 carat,' and 'sterling.' Glass glitter is very different than kindergarten glitter. It is finer, less shiny, and very dramatic.

Above you will see that I've used a tiny paintbrush to cover the tips of the pearl stamens with a quick drying glue, then rolled the ends of the stamens into the mixture of glass glitter. I mixed all three of the colors to get what I thought would be best with the fabric colors in the flower as well as her dress.

Here's a picture of the stamens drying after they have been covered in glass glitter, and the various flower petals, all before being assembled.

Now scroll back up to see the finished flower again.

Millinery tip: use fast drying glue to keep your flowers from falling apart as you assemble.

Millinery Classes in Your Area?

If you are interested in knowing more about the millinery classes, please send me an email at jan@hatshatshats.com . Let me know what STATE you live in so that I can let you know if and when I'll be teaching close to you.

I look forward to hearing what skills you'd like to study too!

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Atlanta Millinery Class--Blocking Straw Hoods and Capelines

This past weekend I drove down to Atlanta, Georgia, to teach a millinery class at the Spruill Art Center. I've been teaching there for the past few years and try to switch it up as to what I teach, choosing from the over 12 skill sets I teach. This sessions was entitled Sensational Summer Straws: Blocking Hoods and Capelines. We had a full (make that VERY full) class of 12!

The following pictures should show what can be learned in a short weekend of intense but fun study. All pictures are of the attendees and the hats they made from parisisal hoods and capelines using some basic crown and brim blocks. I believe in teaching almost everything you can possibly do with a capeline and hoods to made a straw hat. That leaves lots of possibility for creativity, and I think you'll agree with me that there was an over abundance of creativity in this class!

Here's half the class out in the parking lot spraying millinery sizing on their blocked (crowns only at this point) capelines. They had a choice of 4 basic crown shapes to choose from.

Meredith blocking her lilac brim. She switched crowns with another attendee for a two-toned hat. Very nice contrast of colors.

Vonda and Patrycja re-stitching their crowns to brims. There are lots of reasons you might want to cut crown away from brim. But at some point you have to re-attach them using a specialty millinery stitch.

The class had finished free-form shaping their parisisal hoods and had taken them outside to dry before heading for lunch. I was on my way to meet them when I turned the corner and saw this fabulous still life of beautifully shaped hats! I rushed back into the classroom to grab my camera because I HAD to document this splash of color. Wow! Wait 'til you see the close-ups below.

Meredith and Carole working on their hoods.

Vonda models Vicki's slate grey, tailored and beautifully simple shape.

LaJudith shows off her swirling pink creation. Very, very nice.

Andre with his smartly embellished free-form hat. A trio of multi-colored roses and a curled peacock sward made for a nice combination.

Vonda was everyone's model of choice. She's one of those ladies who looks good in every style hat she puts on. And she made some great hats of her own too.

Diane and her raspberry free-formed hat, topped with a fabulous loosely formed rose of a variety of plum colors. Diane makes smashing hats and has been a student for several years. She's been selling her hats and has done quite well for herself. Good for you, Diane!

A close-up of LaJudith's pink free-form hat. I just love the soft sweep of this hat. So simple and so stylish.

Patrycja is a Kentucky Derby attendee and wanted to make hats that will be different from the traditional ones we mostly see. I don't know if this hat will make it to next year's Run for the Roses, but I think it would be a stand-out!

Here's another view of her hat. Don't you just love it? She's added a couple of large pearls into the crevices. Only a couple of hats were actually complete enough to be embellished, but as I told the class, the embellishment can take quite a long time to do in terms of deciding what you will embellish with, how much or little, where will it be placed, etc.

Meredith wearing her sister Carole's hat that is styled like a wide-open flower. Would love to see this one once these artistic sisters get done with it!

Carole and another of her hats. Nice twists!

Rose said she was skeptical of the free-form part of the class as she identifies more with traditional big brimmed straws. But she was pleasantly surprised by what she created and was very happy with the outcome. I agree!

Take a natural colored hood, shape it by hand, add some hot pink veiling and some bleached and dyed peacock feathers, and look what you get! Love the shape of this hat, Candice.

Carole and Diane with their blocked capelines. Carole's hasn't been embellished in the picture; Diane choose a braided chain hatband and a smart polka dot bias brim edge. Love 'em, ladies!

I have to say this was one of those magical classes where everyone melded as one big happy family for the weekend. Folks were helping each other with ideas, trading materials, and having a great time. I left Atlanta inspired, exhausted, and ready to do it again soon! Happy hatmaking, Atlanta class!

Millinery classes for the remainder of 2009 can be found on my webpage www.hatshatshats.com/classes.htm .

Charleston Style Swap--Full of Fashion Folks

Last Thursday I drove down to Charleston, SC, for one of the Style Swaps aMuse: artisanal finery helps sponsor with Jess James. Luckily, I had fashion designer Amanda de Leon riding with me, and we had 3+ hours to talk fashion, fashion, fashion. Charleston has become a hotbed of fashion and style in the last few years, and it is one of my favorite cities for great shopping, history, and food besides. Always thrilled to spend some time there and this was an even more exciting trip due to the anticipation of the first Style Swap there. We weren't disappointed!

Above is a wide view of the fashionistas 'tagging' the items they want to win. There is a frantic rustling of hangers to find the most coveted items of the evening. Of course, one can always tag the designer items that are donated too. More about that later.

Above are Rachel McPherson (Style Swap Develpment), Ayoka Lucas (Style Editor with Charleston Magazine and Creative Director of Charleston Fashion Week), and Jess James (Founder of Style Swap).

On the left is Archie Burkel, Founder and President of The Hat Ladies of Charleston. If you are unfamiliar with the organization, please check them out. They believe in two tenents: you must want to give back to your community, and you must do it in a fashionable hat! Can't beat that, can you? Archie is a lovely lady and I was so pleased she came to the first Charleston Style Swap. We met several years ago and it was so good to see her again. You can't miss her...she ALWAYS wears a hat.

For the most sought after items, those tagged many, many times, the most fair and fun way to choose a winner is through a round of musical chairs. As the music comes up there's a dance line 'round the chairs, everyone having a blast and as the music ends, yes, there's a dash for the winning seat! A hoot to watch...and participate in. The designer items are always hot items!

At right is fashion designer Mary Porter of Mary Porter House of Couture on King Street. She specializes in creating special occasion, bridal, suits, and dresses. She donated a fabulous black dress to the event. One that many wanted...and one took home.

Above is Amanda de Leon, wearing one of her designs, made of screen! It was to die for! On her head is a 1920's inspired metallic lace headband, one of mine.

Ahhh, and here is Amanda's donation for the evening. A slick (literally and figuratively) black swimsuit. Very high-waisted boy pants and a one-shouldered top. Stunning without being too revealing. Loved it! So did the winner!!!

Here's the lovely lady who won the item I donated, a natural sinamay free-form styled headband with yellow, green, orange, and purple coquilles, plus some matching beading.

I very much hope that we will be able to go back to Charleston soon! Besides, they are truly a hat-wearing town. After my heart!

There's Fashion and Then There's Fashion

What a whirlwind weekend of fashion! I spent Saturday morning at the shop--my usual--but the afternoon and evening were spent talking about hats at a local African American church's annual Mother/Daughter tea, and at a local fashion show featuring up and coming designers.

The following pictures are of the fashion show, sponsored by local groovy shop, Edge of Urge and the proprietress, Jessie Williams, a designer in her own right. All was to benefit Dreams, a local organization that provides access to the arts for 'at risk' kids.


Me and my little free-form styled black sinamay headband, embellished with yellow stripped coques and an itty-bitty sprig of vintage yellow veiling.

Ooooooo. Local designer Alexa Castillo did some great fashions for the runway, but I really liked her bikinis. Of course, having gorgeous models with legs up to HERE doesn't hurt either.

Nice touch with the opera gloves!

Alexa on her celebratory walk down the runway.

Above and below are styles created by Jessie Williams, the owner of Edge of Urge. If you are ever in Wilmington you must go there. Great shop! Anything from great clothes, to hip jewelry, shoes, and even some of the best candles, with some of the most unusual scents, that you'll find anywhere. One of my step-daughters swears by them!

I had the privilege of speaking to the ladies of Johnson Chapel in Leland on Saturday afternoon. In honor of Mother's Day they had their annual tea, with hats, gloves, crystal, finger sandwiches, sweet cakes, and some sharp dressed men serving tea.

My presentation was entitled, "Hats Matter, Not Mad Hatters." It focuses on how hats have been been a part of our culture, our social fabric, and how they have and do make a difference to those who wear them. It also includes a tribute to present day milliners and hat-wearing organizations who offer their skills, their time and their money to better the lives of others--all through hats!

I wish I knew the names of these hat-wearing ladies. The lady above is the Mother of the Church at Johnson Chapel. Isn't she elegant?

She didn't want me to take her picture, but I insisted. She made her mother look through her 50 or so hats to find this one she wanted to wear to the tea!

And this is her Mother, beautiful in her hat, pearls, and gloves. A lady at tea....

Reverend Mapson, the chaplain at Johnson Chapel. Thank you, ladies, for a delightful afternoon.

Style Swap--Raleigh--Feather Headpieces

Last week I drove up to Raleigh, NC, to participate in the first Style Swap in that area. Jess James, Style Girl, puts these on and they are incredibly fun. Here in Wilmington they have become so popular it is hard to get in!

What is a 'style swap' you ask? Well, simply put, it is a fun night of swapping clothes and accessories with other fashionistas. You bring 3 items that are still stylish and wearable, and trade them for 3 items someone else dragged out of their closet. Held in upscale bars or lounges, with great music, photographers, and make-up artists mixing it all up with some great munchies and cheap drinks at the bar, all while you find great deals on the racks--anything from coveted designer labels to classy vintage pieces.

Check out Jess' Style Swap website to find out more. We will be in Charleston, SC, on May 14, so if you live in that area, please come by for some recessionista finds. I'm one of the sponsors of the Style Swaps and will be in Charleston to promote aMuse and the hats and headpieces I make.

This is a picture of Rachel McPherson, the Developmental guru behind the Style Swaps. Rachel is wearing one of my hats--a black satin cocktail hat with vintage rhinestone buttons and super vintage Russian veiling. You look beautiful, Rachel!

A pretty trio of Style Ambassadors wearing feather headpieces I've made for them to wear during the Swap. Kinda identifies them as being helpers at the Swap...there to help you find the perfect swap items to take home.

Three more beauties! From left to right they are wearing: a headband of peacock feathers, a free-form sinamay headband wrap embellished with coquilles and beading, and a fascinator of black sewn braid, purple feathers and lavendar Russian veiling.

Thanks for showing off my headpieces to their best advantage ladies!

Kentucky Derby Hats

How many of you attended a Kentucky Derby event? Or were lucky enough to actually go? I made quite a few hats that were worn at Churchill Downs and about as many that went to Derby events--both public and private.

In Wilmington there were at least two public events to attend--the Junior League of Wilmington sponsored an event at Poplar Grove Plantation and there was another at our historic Thalian Hall. I attended the Jr. League event as I had made several hats for that event and besides, it was also a charity event. Having fun, dressing up, and contributing to a special cause...can't beat that.

That's my handsome husband Michael and me in our Derby attire. I not only made my own hat (of course) but Michael's fedora as well. It was a surprise! He has been after me for months to make him a hat. I always say I don't make men's hat. Well, I don't really, but I have just been given (given!) about 16 vintage hatblocks and the vast majority of them are these variations on a pinched crown. So I used one to make Michael's hat and surprised him the day before the Derby!

The lady on the left looked killer in her outfit! She wore this fabulous buttery yellow linen dress and one of the new huge wired brimmed hats I'm seeing everywhere. The cool thing about these hats is that you can bend and bend and re-bend the brims to all kinds of shapes. She has her's pulled up tight in front with a huge lovely burgandy rose. Everyone was telling her how great she looked!

This is one of my customers--Katharine--in her double brimmed parisisal. The bottom brim, and crown, are a rich tobacco and the upper brim is a soft blush tone. I've randomly stitched them together with black thread and fringed the edges. The embellishments were distressed black horsehair, emu feathers, and a sweep of bleached peacock feathers off the back. Huge brim full of goodies.

Another of the hats I made for my friend and customer--Virginia. Her black broad brimmed parisisal was trimmed with a tutu of red tulle (blown all over here) and a knot of handmade white silk roses and buds. Wish I had a better picture of the tutu of tulle as it reached to the edge of the brim and made a very pretty little skirt for the hat.

That's my friend Gloria on the left and Style Girl (and friend) Jess James on the right. Jess was there making pictures for the press. She had on a beautiful vintage lace dress and one of the most spectacular vintage hats I've ever seen of pleated petersham over a buckram base. You can't see it but the entire hat is covered with intricate pleating. Something to aspire to learning.

Katharine and me bumping brims! I'll see if I can find a better picture of my hat. It was a HUGE brimmed sisal straw, of hot pink, with a HUGE bow of heavily veined yellow Russian veiling and and even bigger (9" across) handmade yellow rose. The brim was pulled up on the right back and a drape of the vintage veiling off the left edge of the brim...to my shoulder.

Crowd shot. Really liked the black and white on the left. And isn't the parasol a nice touch?

OK. Here was the winner of the Best Hat Contest.

I hope YOU are finding hat wearing events this Spring. Have a blast!