Starting off 2024
Your monthly dose of all things hats
and other creative endeavors.
Hello Friends!
I’ve been slowly getting back into the groove of JH Hats. Winter break gave me time to reflect, plan and spend time with family. I am in full making mode and the spring collection is starting to sprout.
Big News!
I received an Artist Support Grant from the NC Arts Council which will enable me to attend Millinery Meetup at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts! I will be attending five workshops during the week long event. I’m sure you’ll hear more about this later in the year. It doesn’t happen until September. I’m so grateful that this amazing experience will be supported by the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and to Craven Arts Council and Gallery for their role as project administrator.
Spread the Valentine’s Love
Show some love to your local artists by shopping at Audra Style or Craven Arts Council’s gift shop. Both locations have handcrafted jewelry, pottery and so much more. I have these cute hat embellishments or boutonnieres at Audra Style along with this Valentine’s ready red hat and others. We all know money is tight these days so why not make your dollars go farther by supporting your local artists. Win, Win!
GETTING READY FOR FULL BLOOM COME SPRING
Here’s a sneak peak at materials for part of the spring line. These are called capelines. These capelines are wool felt. At this time, I strictly use wool felt. The other option is a fur felt. Wool felt uses sheared wool and fur felt uses the fur of an animal. Usually a rabbit or beaver. No animals are harmed when making wool felt. That’s why I use it. The spring line will be released in March and will feature several two tone pieces where the crown and brim are different colors!
The Santa Hat
Your monthly dose of all things hats and other creative endeavors.
12 • 20 • 23
History of the Santa Hat.
One of the first modern drawings of Santa Claus dates back to 1863. While there had been many depictions of the man, this was a unique illustration. Thomas Nast’s visual representation of Santa Claus in 1863 inspired many modern depictions of Claus’s costume here in the United States.
Many people believe that the Coca-Cola Company invented Santa Claus. Even though this is not true, it is fair to say that the company played a significant role in the modern costume we see Santa wearing today.
Coca-cola followed in Thomas Nast’s footsteps, drawing inspiration from his depiction of Santa, who illustrated and consequently popularized the red Santa hat we see today.
I have the perfect holiday hat for you or the hat lover you know!
Be sure to stop in at Audra Style to see the JH Hats Holiday collection along with the signature embroidery brim pieces!
Wednesday 11 AM–6 PM
Thursday 11 AM–6 PM
Friday 11 AM–6 PM
Saturday 10 AM–4 PM
Sunday closed
Monday closed
Tuesday 11 AM -6 PM
1910 S Glenburnie Rd H, New Bern, NC
Happy Holidays, Friends! See you in the new year. Thank you to everyone who supported me and JH Hats at the Holiday Markets in New Bern and Beaufort. It means so much to me!
Big Love to you all, Jen Haskins
My heart will be glad with the Sound of Music
My childhood bedroom is still intact at my Mother’s home. Some things have changed as the next generation of children have gotten to know the amazing woman who raised me and stayed with her in “my room”. The interior of the house has slowly changed over the years. Less wall paper, new floors, fresh paint and different window coverings. For years the windows that served as our view out into the world and as a glimpse into our lives from the outside, housed long ruffled linen curtains. The house was built in the 80’s and was decked out in the country home trend of that time. There was a lot of navy blue, brown and cream colors and my Dad stenciled patterns around the top of the walls in many rooms. My room still has the pink flowers stenciled and serve as a reminder to me of the artistic, intelligent and loving man that I was so fortunate to call Dad.
The long linen curtains have been gradually replaced room by room over the years. My Mom has passed them on to me. Those curtains have been the source of many projects. First, I made a wreath out of them that was accented with hand felted flowers. It hangs in my niece’s room. Second, I made a purse that also sported a felted flower. After that, I hand dyed some of the linen and made a shirt. They have been used as table covers for my craft booth and curtains in my studio. The most recent creation using the curtains is my mushroom hat costume. I was brainstorming a way to make the gills on the underside when I remembered the ruffles. Perfect. I washed, cut and bleached the ruffled edges of the curtain, used a straw hat as the base, widened the brim and created a support structure with cardboard.
I’ve loved fabrics for a long time. I love their patterns, imagery and colors. I am inspired by the unlimited possibilities of what can be created with them. Fabric can be functional, decorative, 2D or 3D. It can be painted on, altered, added to or shredded.
Breaking Down Good Vibes
I like to write when inspired to write. A blog requires scheduled frequent writing. People choose a topic and write about it. They usually write about the same topic whether it be books they read, recipes they tried, trips they went on ect… I rarely choose a topic and then tell you what I know about that topic. I don’t even converse that way. I write about experiences, emotions, observations and how I perceive them. That takes a slowing down, getting into my head and finding the words that will communicate what I find there. But really, it boils down to free flow writing. I just start writing and see what happens. I approach a lot of things I do in this way. I don’t think those who know me would describe me as a calculated person. I’m pretty free form. This is not to be confused with aimless or whatever word describes the phrase, fly by the seat of your pants. I have a direction I am going in and a vision I am working towards.
I’ve known someone who became in interested in what he described as the want nothing theology in order to prevent pain or suffering. He was attempting to eliminate desires. He was trying to let go of his aspirations and all plans for the future. I believe you need to have desires, plans and ideas you are working toward. I believe the things you let go of are the expectations you put on that thing. You need those wants, you simply cannot be attached to your expectations of how they will look and feel if/when they come to fruition. Others say you should not be attached to the thing. I think you can be attached to the thing but only in that moment. We can not expect it to be the same tomorrow but that doesn’t mean we can’t love the heck out of it today.
You can not control all that happens to you. You certainly can not control other people. You can keep working towards living the best life for you. You can pivot, adjust, regroup and continue on that path even if life isn’t your best life at this moment. That’s the only choice you have. Let go of the expectations you formed when making the choices that led you to that unpleasant moment. Do not let go of your desires and plans. It is important to live, not simply exist. If you feel like you’re living your best life, REVEL IN IT. If you don’t, what can you do to change that? There is always something you can do. Even if it is something that happens only in your mind. Change your perspective on it. Find the kindest version of that story and make sure you are telling that story to yourself. Keep telling yourself that kind story full of grace until you feel that change in perspective. I guess this is what people mean when they say, stay positive or good vibes only. It’s a way of life. It’s a conscious choice that takes intent and effort. It affects how you feel, how you view the world, the way you feel about and treat others. Good vibes only isn’t about being nice and smiley. Being nice can be faked and smiles can be cold. It is an inner peace that you extend to others. It is a large amount of grace towards yourself and the people in your life.
Make sure you are living out your dreams, appreciating what that looks like today and not becoming attached to what you think it will look like tomorrow. It might not look the same tomorrow. You might have to pivot. Have, give and receive big love and feelings while also knowing it is not forever. Even your feelings and dreams change. You might fear losing that thing you love and end up feeling differently about it before anything changes. All that fear or worry for nothing. I believe this is what is meant by live in the moment.
In this moment, I am in a coffee shop sitting at a high top table in the corner. Music is softly playing and there is a low drone of voices. Two people near me have met for coffee to get to know one another because they are new colleagues. Her voice carries right to me, his is muffled. I start to come out of writing and out of my head. I am ready to leave, walk out into the world and free flow through it.
Art You Can Wear
I am often asked how I got into making hats. I am a maker; I’ve been a maker for a long time. I’m not surprised by the fact that I made a hat, but why did I keep making hats? I’ve been making hats for nine years now. The answer to that is not as linear as the answer to how I got started. I started making hats after I stopped teaching art. I loved teaching art but was ready to spend more of my time creating than teaching. It was sewing that lead me into millinery (hat making). I was sewing shirts that I screen printed with my original designs. I took sewing lessons from a local fashion designer and the two of us made my wedding dress together. During this time, I made my first sewn cloche’. I tried several other styles of sewn hats and then, I visited a hat shop. I wanted to know how they made the hats out of one continuous piece of fabric. My curiosity and love of learning new things took over! I found a milliner who was willing to do a weekend workshop with me. We made one straw hat together. After that, I was hooked.
So, why have I kept making hats? Why have I dedicated so much time and money to it? I’m drawn to it because I’m an artist. I love design, sculpture and functional art. Making hats checks all these boxes. There is still more to it. I really started to develop my own sense of style when I was a teenager. I put things together creatively and have an eye for detail. My clothing and accessory choices are based on the elements and principles of art and equally on the message I want to send. Everything visual sends a message. In the past, I found it amusing to dress in a way that sent a message that was not completely congruent with my personality. It was something about knowing people were making assumptions about me based on my clothing that were not necessarily true. Having said all that, wearing a hat not only gives you protection from the elements, it also can make a beautiful statement about you. I really do want to encourage people to express themselves and feel confident when wearing one of my hats. I want you to care for your body, to love your body and accessorize it in a way that highlights and praises how marvelous you are!
Come On Over
We like to start the new year conjuring up and envisioning what the year ahead will look like. We set goals for our professional, personal and social lives. Things we want more of, things we want less of and new things. It helps us live intentional lives where we are making decisions for ourselves so they aren't made for us and gives us purpose. A life that gets us one more year closer to knowing and showing our true selves who have gotten buried in layers of titles, labels and assumptions. Ok, I realize that last one might not be the end game goal with resolutions for everyone. But I do think ultimately it is once even more layers of social pressures and life experiences are peeled back.
One of my personal journey goals for 2023 is to connect with the people around me. Cultivate a community and friendships. I have friends who are naturals at this. It is just who they are. Being with them makes me feel seen and loved, a connection is created in time spent with them. It is a certain vulnerability for some and for some it's a complete ease with themselves and others. I hope to make you feel that way this year and I hope you'll keep coming back for more.
I'm envisioning big things for JH Hats. As I am writing, I am stuck right here as what to say next. Why? Because all the marketing hubbub took over my brain as soon as I started to think about what I can do to help my business grow. I hear the voices telling me to put all the key words into my blog to attract my customers. I think about the businesses who hire content writers to create their blogs so they are designed to pop up more in google searches and sell products. These voices make it hard for me to do it my way. But, I will. So whatever I do this year to grow my business, I hope it looks and feels like me.
As an artist, I plan to continue with the growth I have experienced during my first year here in New Bern. The opportunities to show my work at local galleries, the library and coffee shop have really inspired and encouraged me as an artist. I am grateful for that. This little town on the water jumped right into my soul and told it to create wonderful things.
This photo is the 2023 vision collage that my daughter and I made together. We hope to grow plants, eat plants, explore islands, fish and paddle in the waters and love on our dog, Mable.
Sitting In a Parking Lot
I was a vendor at my first show as JH Hats this past weekend. I had hoped to be inspired by it to write my next blog post. But, as I sit here to reflect on the event, the image that keeps flashing in my mind is that of the empty parking lot I was set up in and myself all bundled up to stay warm. It’s hard to imagine there is any inspiration or much to reflect on with those conditions. The first thought that creeps into my mind out of the empty lot is, “I can’t believe we were charged $300 to sit out here for two days and have maybe 100 folks walk by. $300 for two days would be reasonable if there was a crowd or if we were inside. So much money goes into finding out how to best spend your money when you first start out. In this case, the $300 would most definitely have been better spent on social media ads or saved for a different event. Finding the right event for your product is a challenge yet worth the investment if it’s the right one. I am tempted here to write about what seems like faulty thinking in regards to breaking even at craft fairs but that’s really more of a discussion I need to have with a business professional.
So, whereas this blog will not be about the cool folks I met who gave life, personality and a forever home to my hats, it will be about folks I met and observed while confined to my 10 by 10 space. I know hats are a very niche accessory. I know it takes a certain amount of confidence to start wearing one. I also know everyone can wear a hat when they find the right size and style for just for them. Several men who tried out a hat, turned to their women partners and would say, “What do you think?” The women would give a quick and resounding, “NO”. The men were willing to try something new, step slightly out of their norm but were quickly shut down. I heard more than one man ask his woman partner if she wanted a hat and it was always met with an answer that felt a bit like, who do you think I am? The women who tried out hats were women who already owned and wore hats. Many women would walk by saying, I do love hats, I just don’t wear them. But why not? Why deny yourself something you love? Because you lack the confidence. That’s why. It seems men are rewarded by society when they take a risk and they are groomed for confidence but women, taking a risk is risky and we’ve been conditioned our whole lives to conform. So ladies, wear the hat, even if it’s just a metaphorical hat for something you want to do but have not had the confidence to try. You do look good in a hat!
I set up the booth alone the second day of the event. I left many hats at home and simplified the booth. As I was setting up, I noticed a man and child dropping another man off at the bus stop which was directly behind my booth. The man had a suitcase and backpack with him. He was dressed all in black and wearing a flat cap covered by the hood of his black hoodie. He had large skull rings and teeth that did not appear to have the luxury of a dentist. After some time passed, he approached me asking if I was familiar with the area because he would like to grab a coffee before the bus arrived. I directed him to the nearest coffee shop and he rolled his luggage and backpack over for me to watch while he was searching out his cup of joe. When he returned we spoke for a while. He told me about a tyrolean hat that he bought in Germany and lost in a house fire. He said they are also called traveler’s hats because people put pins in them from the different places they have visited. He also lost a hand carved cuckoo clock from Germany in that house fire. Then, he grabs his bag so he can show me the battery powered heated vest that he owns. At this point I am picturing him climbing Mt. Everest with that heated vest and his tyrolean hat. Shortly after, the bus arrived and he was off maybe to hike Mt. Everest or to stay warm in the streets. There is a small separation between the two in my imagination.
I’ll Make You a Deal
It’s interesting how exposed one can feel without being seen and simultaneously feel like you need to do more to get people to notice. This is how launching my first website and starting a business has me feeling at the moment. I am really excited for the future of my hats and business and like a new hat wearer might feel, I have some insecurities about putting myself out there so completely.
Now that the business is launched, I have to get the word out about it. I have to show my face and have more words both in real life and on-line. Both of these things have taken some work on my part to accomplish in the real world with people I know and trust so it feels like, well, kinda scary.
So, here’s the deal I’d like to make with you. I’ll share my thoughts and words and you wear the hat with confidence because it looks great on you!
