Getting started up again!

So it's been a while (too long!) since I last made a hat, so I got the ball rolling again by taking advantage of a supplier sale and ordering a whole bunch of new feathers for new hats! Plus I'm stocking up on steampunk and other metal charms, so keep checking back for new hats! Bonus: all new hats will be available for sale in the new Etsy store!

Etsy shop!

I finally put my remaining hats up in my Etsy shop, and will be posting more as soon as they're made. And of course I'm happy to put up a custom listing for anyone who wants to discuss custom work! Enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tanya2s

Vivien

Okay, so this is actually the last hat I made for Anime Boston, and since I'm taking a short break from hat-making until I can replenish some of my supplies (and clear off space in my craft room to make more hats!), this will be the last hat posted for at least another two weeks. That being said, this one was the result of much experimentation-- originally I was going to do a "fan" of dupioni silk behind the red jewel, but the silk had a darker red tone than the brocade did, and it just didn't look right. Then I thought I'd sew a "tube" of brocade and do an origami-ish series of loops behind the jewel, but that looked awkward, so I ended up combining the ideas and making the tube into a ruffle-ish thing that looked generally decent. Then the hat was kind of plain, so I added the gold threading, and then just to shake things up a bit I added the tiny rhinestones in red and gold. I like the overall effect.


Vivien:

Opulence defined, the Vivien is lush with gleaming gold, vibrant red, and sparkling jewels. Gorgeous scarlet satin, brocaded with imperial chrysanthemum designs in gold thread, is draped around the hat, forming a pillowy backdrop to a fiery red acrylic jewel that has been hand-wrapped in intricate brass filigree. Delicate threads of metallic gold thread surround the crown, each one accented with tiny, sparkling ruby and topaz colored rhinestones. If you've ever wanted to wrap yourself in luxury, the Vivien is the closest you'll come without being royalty.

Lady Catherine

I made this hat the same time as the Lady Anne, and it was actually the original concept to use gold thread and blue fabric, rather than the silver and lilac, but I had both and so I made two. Since it's basically the same hat only in different colors, I didn't really write a description for it, but the overall effect was different enough that I didn't want to just call it "a blue Lady Anne." So here are pictures, at least:

Courtney and Caitlin

While I was at Anime Boston, I made a few custom hats at the request of customers who saw hats that were ALMOST perfect, but not quite. I generally sketched the hat with them, then went home at night and made the hatband (which requires ironing, not something I can do at my table), and packed up all the necessary feathers and components for attachment the next day. Perhaps not surprisingly, all of my custom hats were steampunk-themed. I promised I'd name each custom hat after the person buying it, so without further ado, here are:

Courtney:

Steampunk refined, the Courtney juxtaposes elegant brocade with traditional steampunk elements, proving that you can have the richness and luxury of satin while keeping the touch of grittiness that makes steampunk interesting. Deep burgundy satin is patterned with metallic florals, which are brought out by the ivory satin ribbon running around the base of the hatband. A clock face in antique brass is surrounded by gears in various finishes, and accented by a single brass flower set with a tiny glass pearl. An airy white ostrich plume is the background for two whimsical brass wire swirls, where a tiny brass key dangles for a finishing touch. For steampunk elegance, look no further than the Courtney.

Caitlin:

Featuring the darker side of steampunk, the Caitlin is something you'd expect to see at your favorite after-hours event-- striking, elegant, and... well, steamy. The black satin hatband is accented with a narrow burgundy ribbon, against which an array of antiqued silver gears is centered on a dramatic silver keyhole. Mixing metals in true eclectic style, two brass flowers set with tiny glass pearls, and brass wire swirls provide a lighthearted contrast to all that drama. A fluffy burgundy ostrich plume sweeps to one side and is balanced by gleaming black and white feathers. A delicate brass key sways gently on a wire swirl, ready to unlock the mystery of this gorgeous hat.

Rosalie

The third in my vampire (err... Twilight... though I hate to admit it) series, this one was actually the first hat to sell at Anime Boston last weekend. I wanted to use lace and the same crystals and chains as the other hats had, but get a little more feminine. I called it the Rosalie because when I actually read the book (yes, I read it, though it was under protest because I was well aware of the horrible stuff the author calls "writing"), they describe her as being the peak of female perfection, and I thought it would fit with the lace and corsetry. I can totally see myself making more of these with different colored ribbons lacing up the side.

Rosalie:

Dark and seductive, the Rosalie draws every eye... and wearing her, so will you. The crown is covered in sheer black sparkling fabric, and a black velvet ribbon forms a luscious hat band. An inky black jewel is wrapped in silver filigree and accented with two tiny red rhinestones, bracketed by spiraling black feathers. Black gimp trim is sewn in a V-shape to reveal corset-laced red satin ribbon, while a silver chain is draped between twin antiqued silver buttons before supporting a pair of blood-red teardrop-shaped crystals wrapped in silver wire. If you give her the chance the Rosalie will draw you in... and there's no guarantee she'll let you back out again!

Annabelle

I needed an excuse to use this gorgeous pinky-gold dupioni silk I'd picked up, and I started fiddling with it, trying to figure out what to do with it that wouldn't look too girly and frilly, when I finally gave up and succumbed to the girliness and just made a huge bow. A double-layered bow. With a lace frill. And tiny pearls. Embrace the girliness, I always say...

Annabelle:

Covered in ruffles, lace, and pink silk, the only word to describe the Annabelle is "girly." ... but in a good way. A luscious dupioni silk hat band in an iridescent combination of pink and gold envelops the crown, forming a double-layered bow, and is anchored by a rose-pink acrylic jewel wrapped in delicate brass filigree and accented with tiny glass pearls. A frothy ruffle of ivory lace fans out above the jewel, sewn with a trio of more pearls, and a fluffy ostrich plume towers above it all. Full of feminine frippery, the Annabelle is practically a cupcake in hat form-- sweet, tempting, and something every girl needs at least one of.