Autumn News & Seasonal Changes

I love the seasonal change of fabrics especially all the wool cloths in all their colours and weights.

We have been busy making wool felt cloche hats again as they are so popular and keep you very warm. Plus lots of other warm and snugly things like berets and caps.

Outside mother nature has been providing lots of inspiration especially as the lichen is so amazing this year. 

I love the patterns it forms and the tones and varieties it grows.

I now have a new selection of hand knitted wist warmers, some with a chunky cable and some in plain. It's getting cold enough for gloves of one variety or another first thing in the morning lately.

I have just purchased these lovely metal findings in the image above which is a real find as I never see this quality unless you are buying them in their 1000's !

So far we have used them to trim a felt hat and a shoulder bag both look fab.

I will be off to a little fair this Sunday should I be in your stomping ground you will find me at the

Uppermill 'Make It Artisan Market' in Uppermill which one of the beautiful Saddleworth villages near Rishworth Moor. 

It opens at 10am in the Civic Hall in Uppermill village. Pop in and say hello if you are local.

Pop Up Shop

Tomorrow Sat 6th February I will be walking down the Street to The Old Tree House toy shop to organise a little Hat Therapy 'Pop Up Shop' and I will be Open  from 12pm till 5pm.
Pop in and try on hats and accessories or just a little hat chat if you love a great hat.

Talented Friends And Glorious Hats

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to shoot some new designs and as ever my first call is always to Shelly of Toast Photography who always take images to knock your socks off.

I also asked the very talented Lucy who wore some of her own creations and some of her very special vintage dresses from her vintage boutique. Lucy's talents include singer /songwriter and owner of  the gorgeous I am Lucille frock shop here in Hebden Bridge. 

Then we needed the accessories and the beautiful jewellery made by my friend Rachel Lucie   also based in Hebden Bridge added the right amount of pearl and sparkle. The three little words pearl necklace looked fantastic.

We had lots of laughs, moved furniture around, stood on tables, used Lucy's shop

{ downstairs from her sewing studio} Lucy and The Caterpillar  to provide super backdrops and generally had a great time together.

The rest as they say is... the above. As always I'm thrilled with the results.

Thanks Ladies. x

Anniversary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I celebrated another year at the shop and I was joined throughout the day by lots of friends and clients both old and new.  

The weather was pretty miserable but there was lots of laughing inside as we remembered events, dramas and even window displays.

Everybody drank mulled wine and mulled cider to keep out the chill and the homemade mince pies disappeared very quickly. Lots of lovely presents were purchased ladies were selecting items they loved for partners to buy and generally we had a great day.

I can't quite believe I have been open for 8 years but I if I could add up the hats that have been made it that time it might be a real shock.

So it's onward and forward from here with new designs and ideas in the new year, Christmas first though.!

Vintage wedding Fair

 On Sunday I left home bright and early to go to East Riddlesden hall for their vintage wedding fair.

 Shelly from Toast photography was set up across from me so there were plenty of laughs and witty chat in between the flow of wedding fair visitors.

Holly my intern came along with me and made her very own head wear which was much admired

 

There were so many lovely set ups including Emma bespoke wedding flowers 

 Beautiful jewellery from Saving face jewellery

I was next to a lady who made hand made wedding pies. Not your average pie, these were pretty if a pie can be pretty.

 I was able to use my lovely hand drawn sign again by artist Julia Ogden

Gorgouse table settings from Simply Vintage Events

I took along my woodland crown, cuffs and corsage which is hand crocheted, wired and strewn with crystals. One bride is coming to try on at the shop with her dress, this is a very particular wedding style so she was very happy to find it.

Hand painted signs from Barn Studio Signs

 

A whole table full of treasure from Vintage Strawberry who had some incredible vintage gowns.

 

The whole event was really lovely

 

What a beautiful timber roof.

So after much chatting to ladies who are now coming to the shop to sort out their upcoming wedding head wear, I went home very happy and with very tired feet.

Hat Therapy loves Instagram

 

 

In the last couple of weeks I have started using instagram and find that even I can make photograph's look half decent. Here is a little selection that I have taken around the shop. I really like it's ease of use it it's another way to link up with people. On the hat front there has been some furious making going on so I will be taking some pictures of the latest pieces just off their blocks. It's that time of year when I just can't make them quick enough.!

Royal Ascot Pill Box Hat

 

This little navy blue fine straw pill box hat has been made for a client who loves things frayed and distressed not too perfect and always wears them in an unusual way yet always looks amazing. In fact when she came to collect it today she put it on in a sideways position and it looked great, however this is not the case for most people I would say. The cotton covered wire trim with hand frayed and rolled pinopok are really quite striking and are a nice alternative to feathers or a quill. Lets hope she turns a few heads as well as backs a few winners.