Danielle

I thought I'd take a step back from jeweled embellishments for a while and go with a more traditional floral. Most silk flowers these days tend to look kind of tacky, but this velvet flower (no idea what kind it's supposed to be-- it's kind of marigold-ish?) went really well with the antique-y look I was going for. I thought about trying to add rhinestones to the petals, either clear to look like dewdrops, or colored to add some sparkle, but thought better of it.

Danielle:

Adorned with antique velvet and pearls, the Danielle is as sweet and old-fashioned as your grandmother's parlor, with the same elegant lines and floral decorations. But lest you think old-fashioned means out of style, look again at the beautiful details that make this hat special. Rich velvet petals in shades of burgundy and pink are clustered together between leaves of brass filigree decorated with tiny pearls, while a band of wine-colored velvet ribbon and a delicate ruffle of ivory lace encircle the crown of the hat. Airy ostrich plumes in burgundy and ivory add lightness and a hint of modernity to this otherwise classic little piece of millinery. Wearing the Danielle, you will always be every inch a lady.

Peacocks, the End!

Lest you think that all of the peacock hats are blue or green, I made a few in other colors-- namely, black and purple. Because the black jewels actually are black both sides, rather than being backed in silver to provide maximum reflectivity, I decided to try something different and mount the black jewel back-to-front. This made for an interesting convex faceted surface instead of the usual flat-front, which I thought was cool but wouldn't work with any other color besides black. I may try it on some other hats, depending on the design. I also liked how the purple jewel brought out the hints of violet in the peacock feathers.

Irina:
Black as midnight, the Irina is encircled with a ribbon of inky black velvet and adorned with a shining black acrylic jewel. Against all that darkness, the gleam of intricate brass filigree and the sparkle of tiny blue and green rhinestones draw the eye like a beacon, while a single perfect peacock eye practically glows with vibrant color. Behind the screening tendrils of a black ostrich plume, a shimmering green peacock sword curves like a crescent moon, peeking over the edge to provide a hint of intrigue. Mysterious, exotic, and dripping in darkness, the Irina is a secret waiting to be unlocked.

Ivana:

Ivana. The name conjures up images of wealth, power, and an image that's almost-- but not quite-- too flawless to be truly beautiful. The Ivana has it all-- lush purple velvet, ornate brass filigree, a multi-carat amethyst-colored jewel, and feathers everywhere. A pair of eye-catching peacock feathers presides over an elaborate ensemble of velvet and jewelry, while a deceptively casual ostrich plume sweeps to the side to reveal tiny rhinestones along its length. Whether you're planning on being the power, or the woman behind the power, this hat will never be anything less than perfect.

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.

Peacocks, Group 2

More blue and green peacock hats-- because I decided not to use the extra filigree backing, I had to come up with some other way to embellish the center jewels-- I kind of liked the effect of the trio of rhinestones on each side of the ribbon folds, it makes the whole thing look a bit more modern, and the brass flowers are of course a standby decoration for adding detail.

Isobel:

Modern and sophisticated, the Isobel sparkles with rhinestones and shimmers with peacock feathers, combining blues and greens in symphony of color. A dark blue velvet ribbon is wrapped around the hat and closed with a flat bow, embellished with chevrons of tiny rhinestones and a large sapphire-colored acrylic jewel wrapped in brass filigree. A single peacock eye feather is balanced by a pair of striking peacock swords in iridescent green, and the whole ensemble is backed with a fluffy ostrich plume in jet-black, with more rhinestones to draw the eye upwards. Layers and layers of colors and textures make up this gorgeously appointed hat.

Indira:

Indira" means "splendid," and one look at the Indira makes it obvious that it's the perfect word to describe this hat. A single faux emerald, securely wrapped in gleaming brass filigree, is surrounded by hand-sewn brass flowers set with tiny glass pearls, on a luscious backdrop of deep green velvet. A perfect pair of peacock eye feathers, clear rhinestones glittering like stars from their dusky centers, forms an exotic base for the rich curve of an iridescent green peacock sword, arcing above the crown of the hat like a shimmering rainbow. Truly, a hat fit for a queen.

Peacocks, Group 1

One of the first things I bought to decorate these hats was a batch of peacock feathers on eBay. They're just so full of exotic colors and lend themselves so well to different styles, that I had to use them for something. And the peacock sword feathers were actually really fun to work with-- they curl so easily and they have such intense color. As for the rest, it took me forever to find the velvet ribbon to use as the base for these, because it needed to be dark but still have color, and for some reason it was tough to find ribbon that was the right width and wasn't just in Christmas colors. Once I had all my supplies I just made a bunch of different hats in different color combinations, and this is the first batch. More to come! (though the question remains whether I can manage to come up with enough "I" names for them all)

Inara:


Lush and exotic, the Inara features a single peacock eye feather, accented with a glittering rhinestone and offset by two towering peacock swords in shimmering green. A deep emerald-colored acrylic jewel is wrapped in intricate brass filigree that is delicately set with tiny rhinestones and glass pearls. A deep forest-green velvet ribbon encircles the crown of the hat with rich color. From the bottom edge of the hand-cut ribbon, to the very tips of the sky-high feathers, this hat is pure glamour.























Illiana:

Midnight blue velvet and iridescent peacock feathers make a stunning combination in the Illiana, a hat that manages to be traditionally beautiful and intriguingly exotic at the same time. A clear sapphire-colored acrylic jewel is centered on gleaming swirls of brass filigree and surmounted by an ever-so-slightly offset pair of flawless peacock eye feathers. A single peacock sword curves gently over the crown of the hat, providing height and drama, while a blue velvet ribbon catches the light on its plush surface. Tiny rhinestones and glass pearls are delicate accents.