Bumper Blog Post Catch Up

Sorry for the lack of blogging this month, it has been a busy time and every time I sat down to blog something more urgent took my attention.

So here's a bumper edition.

The first images of the old hatters brush was a find on my local market just yesterday and what a find.

Greetland is a local spot about 30 mins away from Hebden Bridge so I must try to find out about the premises if I can. I think it could be from the 40's or 50's. It's very special.

This weekend we have The Great Pumpkin Festival in town with carving and other activities so look out for things going on if you are coming to Hebden.

The woods are spectacular at the moment with wonderful browns and greens. The soft turban style beret is a great little hat for keeping warm and suits a range of face shapes. This one is trimmed with a little vintage buckle. Soft slouchy and a great everyday hat.

It's also time to create many felt hats this cranberry red with a large aubergine felt twist trim sold very quickly in fact all the felts have been quick to sell this month maybe people know it's going to be a cold winter.

I've started making neck wraps and hoods from luxury faux fur again.So soft and brings out the inner tsarina in you for the chilly days or nights.

My poor plaster head is really showing all the signs of age with cracks here and there so I am hoping to get her replicated as the facial expression is so charming.

Ive been buying lots of fabric and picked up a lovely piece of navy jersey which I hope to make a soft slouchy hat with and some velvet ribbon which I can never have enough of.

I also found a moment to make green tom chutney from the last of our cherry toms that we grew inside this year. So tasty and I added a few raisins but no sugar. Smells just as lovely as it tastes.

I was given a vintage dress box which was the same as my hat box from Marshall and Snellgrove who had dept stores around the U.K. may moons ago. They look great as a display item and many people seem to remember seeing them as a child or know someone who owned one, bring back back many lovely memories.

Lastly the mother of pearl buttons which I also found on the market in town [only three] were in fantastic condition and just needed a clean. I've used one so far but am hanging on to the others as long as I can, however there will be a moment when they are just the most perfect thing to use and will find a new home.

Chrissie x

French Ticking And Market Bags

Last summer I bought quite a few pieces of French ticking in various stripes but for some reason I never got round to making them into anything.

This year I intend to put that right by making lots of items with them and the first is this roomy market bag.

It's lined with navy blue gortex and has a large pocket in the stripes inside.

Soft cream leather handles and a hard card bottom so that the bag keeps it's shape when you fill it with your necessities ! plus the kitchen sink if you're like me.

There's also a d ring and key fob to clip the sides together for security or you can open it out to full width if you need to. This picture shows it with the key fob clipped to the d ring creating a tucking in version.

I am really happy with the shape as it was one I designed in my head quite a while ago !

Last week we had a few days of sunshine so I tried to get out and about spotting my favourite hellebore's in bloom and a few glorious views.

The little flower head sketch is one that I hope to screen print next, Mainly tea towels,napkins and face cloths I think.

Wools Tweeds And Warmer Tones

The last day of September, this year has flown hasn't it? 

These last few months I've found pretty tough as I have been plagued by my old friend eczema.

I haven't suffered with the bothersome skin condition for 16 years but I think due to many emotional issues it reared it's head and I have struggled with it for the last 8 months.

You may know that I'm a homoeopath hence the name Hat Therapy [half and half of my trades]

I have treated many people for skin problems but I'm afraid this week I had to give in and get the big guns out namely steriod and anti fungal ointments as I couldn't stand it any longer,

Also I was quite a sight and running the risk of scaring customers away.

So this explains the lack of regular blog posts since the beginning of the year as I have only managed the bare minimum of tasks each day.

However things have improved dramatically and I am feeling much better,

The shop is full to the brim of  my favourite seasons accessories Autumn and Winter.

There's no better season to adorn yourself in warmer hats, scarves and gloves.

Here's a few pictures to show you our season treats.

The shop front has now been given it's new lick of paint, what do you think ?

Chrissie x

Printed Teasels And A Few Treasures

Setting off late to start my screen printing at the egg factory in the pouring rain last week, I wondered what am I doing setting myself a whole new task whilst trying to work from a very small space at home!

However the results were great and so far I've only managed to print one of my designs, but I'm really pleased. The grey on the calico and ticking looks lovely (well I think so)

There's much much more to do but I feel better now that I've got a few 'pulls'under my belt and sometimes printing can not always go to plan.

I love the teasel, or 'Dipsacus' for it's architectural character and have always doodled them for years.

I've made a few little aromatherapy sleep pillows to pop by your own pillow and bath bags to fill with fresh herbs.

Millinery wise I have finished a few lovely bridal pieces but can't show them yet as the weddings are a little later in the year.

The shop is now being painted and I will be hoping to re open towards the end of April or early May.

I hope lots of you will be able to come and celebrate with me. The shop and workroom will look very different once it's all finished. I will let everyone know in good time, once I set a date.

Chrissie.

February The Month Of Love

Finally the mornings and evenings are getting lighter and although we have had copious amounts of rain in the last few months, today was blue Sky's and sunshine.

I am still without a shop/workroom until walls dry out so I'm still making from the kitchen table.

On a quick trip out I popped into a local antiques shop and found several lovely sewing themed items including an old metal hat box. I already own two, so I left the shop quickly before I was tempted to add to my collection !

Last week I had my pop up shop in The Old Tree House, this week I have a selection for sale in a local hair salon 'Zeitgeist' and it looks great from the outside.

[not bad inside either]

Merry Christmas Everybody

So it's the last post of the year, and tonight we should be able to gaze at a super moon, larger, brighter and with just that little more sparkle.

I want to thank everyone for reading the blog and sharing my work.

Every little helps as they say. I'm looking forward to January when I shall be back with new ideas and designs.

I bought this glorious Irish wool cloth a couple of weeks ago and it has made a great trilby and neck wrap and it looks great in my window. Perfect Christmas hat.

So whatever you do this Christmas I hope you have a lovely time.

Chrissie. xxx

Almost Christmas

Christmas shopping

So I managed it, two venues here at the shop and The Hepwoth Gallery Wakefield. Both Sat and Sun with enough hats and accessories to stock Macy's. As it had been my shop's anniversary the week before I really wasn't sure I could pull it off but with help from my interns Evangeline and Yessica, plus my sister who came to look after the shop and knitted like a lunatic.Gorgeous Merino beanies by the dozen.

But all went well the Winter Fair was wonderful and I met many lovely talented people as well as lots of lovely people who came and spent their money on a range of delightful stalls.

So now it's the last week before the Christmas rush so I am finishing off orders as quick as I can and adding to the stock in the shop.Sherry at the ready for the weekend.!

In other news after searching for a very long time for a stockman mannequin I found one in a new shop that has opened a few doors down from me so I purchased it popped it under my arm and walked it back to the shop.What a find.