August But A Tad Chilly

So August the height of summer. I know folks who have had a wood fire burning the central heating switched on and the rain has been endless. Summer it seems is feeling very shy this year and there is no sign of improvement but I am filing the shop with colour and all manor of fabric delights to chase those summer blues away!

I also finally managed to get an image of the grey and gold hat with agate bead trim. It had been too dark every time I tried but there was a moment when I captured it.

I have also finished the teal cocktail hat with blocked straw base and crin swirls

When I was searching for the perfect trimming material I came across some hand knotted silk that I had bought in Dubai many years ago and it was perfect in every way. Just shows that if you keep it long enough it will come in handy again.

Sadly I used the very last of my favourite fabric of the moment to make another bag and once again it sold within 30 mins of me popping it in the shop. It's funny how some fabrics are just a magnet.

So I hope you are all enjoying your summer holidays where ever you may be.

Chrissie. x

Celebrating 9 Years Of Hat Therapy

So on Saturday there will be much to celebrate as you can see by my notice at the top of the page.

The shop has been dressed with foliage, lights, tartan clad mannequins made from chicken wire with ivy skirts and fairy lights for the windows.

Lots of lovely hats and accessories have been made with a last dash of making tomorrow and Friday in preparation for Saturday.

I guess it is an achievement these days to survive in business and it's good to have lots of people who have purchased hats and accessories in the shop for a festive drink and food to say 'cheers'.

Christmas is really drawig closer so we have a great selection of smaller gift ideas as well.

All made with fabric using millinery techniques and trimmimgs.

If you are local or planning to visit Hebden Bridge please feel free to drop in anytime 10am till 5pm.

New Trims and Trinkets

After a lovely weeks break at the beach in Wales, where the sun shone every day I have come back refreshed and ready to start work with new ideas and energy.

There are still lots of weddings around to make lovely head wear for and orders for Autumn events too.

I am also making my new ideas for Autumn and winter products including hats and accessories with gorgeous tweed and wools.

Rebecca, bryony and Melissa have now left and it's always strange when my interns that have been working with me for such a long time no longer breeze through the door every morning.

However I am now working with Helena and Evangeline and we are busy with many projects.

I must admit it's the time of year when I am busy planning Christamas which always seems far to early but must be done.

Hats straight off the block

  

 

 

  

      

       

 

      

 

 

It's been a busy day in the shop but I managed to take some photographs this morning of three hats one of which sold this afternoon.!
The top hat is a knotted straw crown, fine straw brim and silk trim.
A very classic little hat but can be worn with so many styles so always great to have on my hat wall.
The red straw is an over sized beret with a hand tooled red silk flower. It's the type of hat that someone doesn't need but just wants.
The final pictures are of a really unusual block that I bought from Milliner Rachel Skinner in London, when I started my business. It's very different and can make some great shapes. Here it was used for blocking pinopok then sculpted after blocking to create a striking hat on a small base. It sold this afternoon.I shall make another but not the same.

Straw and Sinamay Beret

 

 

Just a quick post to show off this lovely hand blocked beret made by Fran who has been on placement with me since October. The beret has been blocked in two stages. First the electric blue sinamay and then the patterned natural straw. Sandwiched together the blue peeps out from between the straw's gaps.
There's a straw ribbon  anchored with a turquoise shell long bead. Fran is very pleased with her hat and so she should be.