Peacocks, Group 3

So this set of peacock feather hats was my attempt at branching out a little from the standard filigree-wrapped jewels, with wire-wrapping instead. They're a little less traditional, I think, but the wire still works with the peacock feather theme.

Isis:

Adorned in royal blue and gleaming gold, the Isis features shimmering peacock feathers and a jeweled amulet that wouldn't be out of place around the neck of an Egyptian queen. Plush velvet the color of lapis lazuli is an elegant backdrop for a deep sapphire-blue acrylic jewel wrapped in gold-colored wire and mounted to the center of a swirling circular ornament. A pair of peacock eye feathers in rich tints of green, blue, and violet is set with tiny rhinestones, and an arched peacock sword in iridescent green echoes the curve of the wire while another stretches upwards. Like a precious treasure from the age of the pyramids, this hat deserves to be on display!

Isadora:
Free-spirited and lovely, with a touch of the exotic, the Isadora is just as modern and graceful as her inspired namesake. Forest-green velvet sets the stage for a shining emerald-colored acrylic jewel, wrapped in delicate strands of wire in flowing curves. Whimsical swirls of brass are accented by miniature brass flowers set with tiny glass pearls, while above it all, two peacock eye feathers steal the spotlight and glitter with tiny rhinestones. Whether you're a dancer breaking through boundaries of the traditional, or just someone who wants to be noticed in a crowd, the Isadora is the perfect accessory for you.

My own hat...

This whole hat-making venture started because I was looking for a hat to wear with my own steampunk outfit... so obviously I couldn't forget to decorate a hat for myself in between all of the rest I've been posting! My costume is made of tweed (the same tweed I used in the Phoebe and Penelope) and a burgundy brocade, so I thought I'd tie in the hat by using the same fabrics in the hatband. Then I basically just went to town and included all of the components I liked from previous hats. Just about the only thing I couldn't get to fit in with the design was the peacock feathers (you'll see those on future hats), but just about everything else made it in! I won't bother writing up a fabulous description for this one, but it's got an antique copper keyhole, a clock face, several gears, a button, brass flowers, wire swirls, two ostrich plumes, and a tiny key dangling from one of the swirls that I think turned out to be really cute.

Penelope and Phoebe

I really like the steampunk aesthetic, so I decided to branch out from the original orange/brown/gold color scheme I'd used for my first two steampunk hats, Ernestine and Emmeline. I have some great tweed that I knew would set off my feathers nicely, and going through my collection of acrylic jewels I thought that green and purple would be appropriate colors to start. I'm especially enjoying the curled feathers on the Phoebe (just run the spine of the feather over a butter knife), since I think they add some extra dimension to the hat, and peacock feathers are always fun to work with.

Penelope

Combining a classic tweed with the exotic allure of peacock feathers, the Penelope is steampunk with an edge. A forest green grosgrain ribbon is backed with a band of tweed in shades of burgundy and brown, and an emerald-colored acrylic jewel glitters from within an intricate brass filigree wrap to form the centerpiece of this lovely hat. Two coppery gears, a whimsical clock face in brass and ivory, and a tiny brass key provide steampunk accents without being stereotypically mechanical. Swirls of brass wire draw the eye upwards, where mottled guinea hen feathers and a single vibrant peacock eye add color and dimension. When people see you wearing the Penelope, they're sure to be green with envy!






Phoebe


If the Penelope is exotic steampunk, the Phoebe is steampunk turned slightly eccentric. Think of her as a librarian by day, with a secret identity only you can unravel. Traditional tweed is backed with iridescent violet dupioni silk for a touch of luxury, while a clear amethyst-colored acrylic jewel is set off to perfection by a wrap of brass filigree. Utilitarian gears in antique silver and bronze are softened by tiny brass flowers set with glass pearls, and a brass button adds to the eclectic mix. Brass wire swirls echo the stylish curl of the mottled guinea hen feathers that  provide a flirty twist-- literally!-- to this subtle-yet-fascinating hat.

Daphne

This started out as an aqua-themed hat, and I intended it to look vaguely ocean-y, but as you can see that idea just went out the window once I realized that the blue jewels I had just didn't work with the fabric, so I went with pink instead. Then it needed something to go with the paisley pattern in the brocade, so I added a pair of brass swirls. Then a few more. I may have gotten a little carried away with the swirls on this one, but they were so much fun that I just kept going. Then the feathers just worked themselves in... they remind me a little of daisy petals, but I think it works. So, without further ado:

Daphne:

Airy, whimsical, and full of fun, the Daphne is girly without being overly frilly, combining aqua and bubblegum pink to be elegant while remaining youthful. The Daphne features swirl upon swirl of brass wire, echoing the paisley pattern in the luscious aqua brocade layered over an iridescent pink and blue taffeta. The dual shades in the fabric tie into the pink acrylic wire-wrapped jewel that forms the centerpiece of this lovely hat, while brass flowers hand-set with tiny glass pearls provide delicate accents. Three white duck feathers soften the lines of the brass wire, framing the central embellishment and adding yet another layer of texture. This little hat is so adorable, you can't help smiling-- and neither will anyone else when they see you wearing it!