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!