Hats By Anne

National Hat Day!

2012-01-15T18:17:00.003-05:00

I just found out that today is National Hat Day. They did not tell me about this in millinery school. (Then again, they didn't tell me about St. Catherine's Day either, and she's the patron saint of milliners. The state of modern post-secondary education, you gotta wonder... )

The origins of NHD are murky. The Headwear Association (est. 1908) doesn't even know what they are.

Is this why my milliner boss gave me the day off today? Well, no, but I'm sure he would have if he had known about it himself. With pay, of course.

In honour of this murky but esteemed occasion, herewith a new offering: my new cozy toque, with the cunning fold at the back.

Hats On For Healthcare

2012-01-09T17:32:00.010-05:00

When I was in Amherstburg selling hats one weekend last summer, I was invited to participate in the Windsor Regional Hospital's annual Hats On For Healthcare event. Local organizations, such as businesses and schools, sign on and, for a toonie, their folks get to wear a hat for the day. The toonies support the hospital.

This is the first year they will have a milliner. I'm tickled that I've been chosen!

If you're in the Windsor area, please support this fun event whichever way you can. "Friend" them on Facebook, pledge your support, wear your hat. And on February 15, please come by the hospital and choose one from me!

Here's an adorable promotional video starring patients and staff of the Pediatric wing:

Auld Lang Syne

2011-12-31T14:07:00.004-05:00

Call me crazy, but I rather liked 2011. My business grew, and many good things came my way, thanks to everyone who came my way. It's all about interdependence, which becomes more and more apparent with every passing year.

Thank you so much to everyone who came by my hat displays, wherever they were, especially my customers, and to my family, friends and colleagues who are the source of my many blessings.

May 2012 bring you all the important things, especially lots of love!

Happy New Year!

Last Absence Alert of 2011

2011-12-21T15:08:00.003-05:00

I will not be at St. Lawrence Market today after all. If anyone wants to see my hats and hair toys in time for Christmas giving, please email me (annelivingston@lycos.com)for an appointment at my house in the Beach.

Yet Another Change of Plans

2011-12-06T14:32:00.001-05:00

I will not be at the Tranzac Club again this Saturday. Sorry for the confusion.

Tranzac-tions

2011-12-05T18:46:00.002-05:00

Have you missed me? Hard to do when I won't go away, isn't it?

Anyhoo, I beg your indulgence one more time today to inform you that I will be back at the Artisans Gift Fair at the Tranzac Club next Saturday, December 10 from noon to 6 p.m. It's on Brunswick, just south of Bloor, in the Annex. Free admission and lots of vendors.

St. Lawrence Holiday Market

2011-12-05T17:14:00.002-05:00

Come and see me and my hats and hair toys in the North Market on Friday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 21! Free admission!

Artisans Gift Fair

2011-12-04T19:52:00.008-05:00

Yesterday the indispensable Scott and I set up the portable shop at the Artisans Gift Fair. It's at the Tranzac Club, the funky little place on Brunswick, just south of Bloor in the Annex. It's a fun show with free admission, and it takes place every weekend in December prior to Christmas. This year the last dates are December 17 and 18.

I thought I was going to be there on the 17th, also, but there was a snafu in communication and now I probably won't be, unless there's a last-minute stroke of luck. If there is, I'll post it here.

We did this show in 2008 and 2009, skipping last year, which was sad, so we came back again this year. I like the vibe there. Nothing pretentious, just a nice, low key event for the 99%. A good mix of crafts, including some I just hadn't run into before. Such as crocheted pasties. Well, it is almost winter... Roberto Riveros was there, too, at my recommendation, with his wife, Nancy, and his son, Severus. (How I love knowing someone named Severus! He isn't the least bit Snape-y, either.) Roberto is the photographer who was my tent neighbour at the Market this summer. It's always nice having friends at a sale.

I had my favourite spot, right in front of the stage, where my tall grids won't block any other vendor.

We were next to a lovely couple selling Mexican glass and ceramics. Pretty, but absolutely terrifying being so close to a shelving unit stuffed with stemmed glassware. It made us very, very mindful of each move we made. Thus was disaster averted. Phew.

Met some nice people and a lovely Dachshund named Dargo, who was too wiggly to photograph successfully. I tried. He had on a handsome green sweater.

One of the nice people was Priya, of Priya Means Love. She was selling her yummy, hand made botanical lotions and creams and such. She admired my new fascinator with a beaded taupe organza flower and metallic feathers, and it admired her.

Another visitor was Sam and his mother. He looked most fetching in a poorboy cap, as modeled here:

June couldn't resist this delicious felt creation with multiple personalities, so she bought it:

My friend and colleague Sheila came by to say hi, which was a lovely surprise. We were millinery students together. And another of our classmates came by at the same time. Three milliners, no waiting.

And you know who else was there? That guy from Rookie Blue! I love Rookie Blue! And that guy was there! You know, one of the seasoned cops, the one who got shot toward the end of the first season, but he was okay... If I'd been there when he passed my table I would have totally and shamelessly asked for a photo, but I wasn't. I'm sure the universe knows best.

It's been the season to run into recognizable people. Art Heintzman House there was Peter Kent, at Plaid Tidings it was Vanessa Harwood, former prima ballerina, and now my favourite fake cop. I wonder who will be at St. Lawrence Market?

Yup, as mentioned before, I will be back to my summer stomping grounds for two more days, but this time we'll be inside the North Market building, 93 Front Street East at Jarvis. Fellow artisan Marjorie Robles of Earth Faerie is spearheading this five day, last-minute sale. Here are the hours:

Thursday, Dec. 15: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 16 (that's me!): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 20: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 (me again!): 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 22: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

I'll post more about this when I have more to post.

Branksome House and Heintzman Hall*

2011-11-22T19:32:00.063-05:00

* Okay, Heintzman House and Branksome Hall. It's been a hectic week.

Gia, aglow in her new red sinamay fascinator.

The indispensable Scott and my table

The holiday season is off to a rousing start with two back-to-back sales on consecutive weekends. First we made our second appearance at the Heintzman House Artisan Craft Sale, their 40th. I'd say it was pretty well established! We (the indispensable Scott and me) shared the second floor Heintzman Room once again with Wendy Emery, the fused glass wiz, and Janice, doll maker, and her pal, Luella. It was nice to see them all again. We make good roommates.

My display looked awesome, if I do say so myself. Wendy also had the great idea of angling my table at the far end, which looked really good and gave us more room to move behind it. Janice wisely made many more dolls this time, as they simply flew out of there last year. Wendy's display was once again by the window to allow the sunlight to play with her creations. It had grown, too, by at least a tree.

Wendy's table

Janice's table

Scott and I enjoyed seeing crafty old friends again, along with the lovely ladies of the Auxiliary who are so gracious and helpful, and some of whom do me the honour of becoming customers. It was another successful sale for us all. Yay!
Betty

June

Marina

A bevy of Branksome beauties

The momentum continued with one more week of mad millining (yes, I know it's not a word) leading up to Plaid Tidings, the holiday season craft sale at Branksome Hall. It's a private girls' school in Rosedale. The sale was established about twenty years ago, and this was my first time there as a vendor. It's really beautifully done. The new gym is professionally outfitted with red carpets, draped booths and spot lighting so that it looks like a mini One of A Kind Show. And the vendors were all superb quality and had items at all price points. As at Heintzman House, there was a tea room with tasty treats to keep one "suffunctified" while browsing. The $10 admission was well worth it.

Good thing I brought extra lights!
I was next to my friend, Jacqui Uza, and her husband, George, my hosts last summer when I shared her tent at ART by the River in Amherstburg. Peripatetic to say the least, they travel the world, selling Jacqui's breathtaking beaded, vintage style purses as they go. It's great to see them as they cross my orbit, however briefly.

Friday evening was the opening gala, with a silent auction, wine and canapes -- and a piper, of course.

Piping in the season

As may be deduced from the name of the event, it's a very Scottish theme at Branksome Hall. Clans and kilts abound. Jacqui spent the evening swamped with admiring customers. I love it when people are smart enough to know gorgeousness when they see it, especially when it's the work of a friend.

Jacqui's busy table

A clearer view

Leslie looking lovely

Lydia Levin, Communications Manager

Frances and Gwen

Amelia and Elizabeth

A & E again, international women of mystery

Mimi and Riannon

Riannon in her new poorboy cap

Lauren

Daphne

Tanya

Lauren and Lexi

Saturday and Sunday were very good with lots of people shopping. On Sunday we were approached by a lady who was promoting a similar event at another school. She looked so familiar, and I finally figured out that she bore a striking resemblance to my high school art teacher. I was right! She was as tickled to run into an old (ancienne, not vieille, thank you) student as I was to run into her. We had a fun chat. Oy, such a small world!

Mary Lou

Caroline

Maggie

Maggie fascinating

Kathryn

Various vendors:

Brave Brown Bag

Vendor neighbour Susan Cavanagh's Collectibles, all the way from New Liskeard

Julia McNeely's awesome animal art. I love them!

Weaver's Cabin. Beautiful, cozy woven woollies from Severn Bridge

Shane Lambert's gorgeous woodwork. The pepper mills! Oh, the pepper mills!

Willa Designs had an architect design their necklace displays.

Christy's Gourmet Gifts. Yum.

The staff, planning committee and girls were all lovely, and the customers were, too.
It all added up to a most successful sale. Thank you, Plaid Tidings! I hope to be there again next year.

And the season has just begun! Next up, it's the Artisans Gift Fair at the Tranzac Club, Saturday, December 3 and Saturday, December 17, noon to 6 p.m. Free admission! And on Friday, December 16, I will be at St. Lawrence Market once more, but this time inside the North Market (where the farmers are on Saturdays), for a holiday craft sale of St. Lawrence Market's craft vendors. I'll also be elfing somewhat. Stay tuned!

Plaid Tidings of Great Joy

2011-11-14T14:34:00.004-05:00

Holiday Craft Show Schedule 2011

2011-10-13T20:56:00.010-04:00

40th Annual Artisan Craft Sale
Heintzman House
135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill
Saturday, November 12 & Sunday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission $2
A well-established annual event in a historic house, Ontario's first adobe structure, and named after its most prominent inhabitants, the piano-making Heintzmans. Proceeds benefit the house's upkeep.

Plaid Tidings
Branksome Hall
10 Elm Avenue, Toronto
Friday, November 18, 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission $4.50
Since 1992, Plaid Tidings has offered a lovely selection of creative vendors for seasonal shopping, in support of this private girls' school's programs.This is my first year at Plaid Tidings. I visited the show last year. It's like a mini One of A Kind show, with the room professionally set up and lit. Wish me luck!

Artisans Gift Fair
Tranzac Club
292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto
Saturday, December 3 and Saturday, December 17, noon to 6 p.m.
Free admission
For over twenty years a really nice, down-to-earth, family-friendly neighbourhood event in the Annex.

Last Saturday

2011-09-28T18:19:00.032-04:00

Last Saturday was my last Saturday at St. Lawrence Market for the summer season, which starts in mid-spring and goes to early autumn. And what a gorgeous day it was! We were expecting all kinds of "meh" or worse weather, and instead were treated to warm and sunny. Lots of relieved-looking people were about, browsing and shopping.

Someone was giving away these cool burlap bags, so I nabbed one.

This week's musicians noticed I was aiming my camera at them and obliging smiled for me.

Salome had the nerve to be absent for my last day. Instead, her lovely daughter, Adrian, filled in for her. We fed her big, soft pretzels, as was only fitting, as her mother usually shares hers with us and many others. (We get them at the farmers' market at Oodles of Strudels. You should, too.)

Steve was around again, so I put him to work as a hat model. Look for him in weekends to come, with his high-tech fabric active wear.

I had made some new hat pins, which were well received. Here's Marg, who plans on wearing hers on a scarf.

Raelene from Perth, Australia bought a hat. It's always extra flattering to have one of my pieces chosen by someone who lives in a millinery hotspot.

And speaking of travelers, here is Marlin, from the U.S.A., in his new poorboy cap.

And speaking of poorboy caps, Jill made an inspired choice with this one.

Charlie in a pink hairband.

Charlene in her new hat. Clearly, ladies whose names begin "Char" know how to flatter their outfits and complexions with headwear.

Roberto and Stephen pointed out their new "Open" sign, which was tres amusant.

A small child on a Winnie the Pooh leash came by, too cute to miss capturing.

This lady demonstrated why she looks good in headwear -- her head could have been the model for the ubiquitous styrofoam ones. And that girl can wear anything.

Three disparate examples of Market style. The bike looks like it belongs to a resident of Ward's Island. For non-Torontonians, Ward's is one of the islands in our harbour, and the last one with homes. There are no cars allowed, so the residents have these nifty, tricked-out bikes of impressive variety to do as much duty as possible, like lugging home groceries. And, apparently, tiny canoes, like on the back of this one.

And, finally, the lovely Ms. Gail, who celebrated her birthday with a sinamay swirl and feathers. A career ballerina, she was also quite taken with a white feather fascinator she dubbed "Swan Lake". The one she chose didn't require pointe shoes, however.

Well, that's a season. And a glorious one it was, too, after the first few wet weeks. Lovely weather, people and sales. Thank you, one and all, and a big thank you to you, universe!

I'm now in major production mode, getting ready for my holiday season craft sales. So stay tuned for news about those.

Second-Last Saturday

2011-09-19T20:53:00.018-04:00

Another pretty day at St. Lawrence Market was enjoyed by all last Saturday. Foot traffic wasn't what it could have been, but it had a lot to contend with -- the Don Valley Parkway was out of commission all weekend, as was the Yonge Street subway line. The traffic congestion that resulted was a thing to be reckoned with. I'm thinking maybe some people were staying close to home to avoid the mess. Ah, Toronto, such scheduling genius...

We were kept entertained by a guitarist on the sidewalk in front of us and a blue-ish grass duo behind us in the park. A large jelly bean was giving out freebies and getting his picture taken a lot. A large wedding party in a bus pulled up later in the afternoon looking for photo ops of their own. Steve hung out with us, Bluetooth in place, occasionally taking calls. He does things with limos during the week, but is looking for just the right thing to sell at the Market on weekends. He's around a lot, so maybe it will happen by osmosis.

Salome's sister was visiting from Vancouver. Roberto's son was visiting from home. His name is Severus and he was an internet sensation a few years ago, narrating (and making inadvertent appearances in) an adorable stop-motion video his dad made. He's quite modest for one so famous. He also likes hats and has a fedora, so he's one of my tribe.

Next Saturday is my last for the St. Lawrence Market season. The tents will be up until the end of October, I believe, and there are always vendors outside on the weekends, tents or not. Salome is among them. Well, not this very second...

But I will be posting my holiday show schedule here, so stay tuned!

Jessica test-driving the sinamay rose band.

Judy, who likes this hat. So do I. It was having a moment that day.

See what I mean? That's Steve with Salome. Don't call him Charles.

The blue-ish grass band. I am such a sucker for a banjo. So is the small child.

The guitar player. Another lovely instrument.

Cordeiros squared. Joao and Salome.

Lisa chose this little bow band. And I thank her for doing so once again.

The large wedding party and the large bus.

The littlest bridesmaid, living my childhood fantasy. How I longed to be dolled up as a tiny bride in a wedding party. But the universe thought otherwise and it was not to be. I'm sure it knew best.

Ruth, who came back and bought this two-tone cap. Many thanks, Ruth!

Grace Notes

2011-09-14T20:50:00.003-04:00

Saturday was another gorgeous one at St. Lawrence Market. This time we were graced with a performance by a high school chamber quartet, who departed before I could take their picture. They were very pleasant company, however briefly.

Although the film festival was in full swing across town, no major movie stars stopped by. How like them...

It was a good day for sales, but almost no one wanted to have their picture taken, not even the young and very cute among my visitors. Go figure.

Anyhoo, that makes an extra big star this week of Deb, who bought a different band than the one she's modeling here, but this is the better photo.

There are only two more Saturdays in September, then I'm done at the Market for the season. Where does the time go? I'm thinking Newark. Don't ask me why.

Labour Daze

2011-09-05T17:53:00.026-04:00

Labour Day weekend and I'm back at my post from my sojourn on the Detroit River. Saturday was the best weather of the weekend, which as I type is overcast and chilly. Mournful, even. As if sad and downcast over the prospect of school starting again tomorrow, the Ex closing for another year, summer being all but officially over. Pathetic fallacy for you English majors.

Despite the hoards cleaning out the farmers' stalls inside (note to self: buy haricots verts early to avoid disappointment), it was a slow day for me. The low vendor turnout should have been a clue. If I had checked last year's records in advance, I would have been reminded that it was the same this weekend last year. Just so long as I don't have to take it personally, I'm fine.

The highlight of the morning was the young bluegrass band that parked itself beside me, by the fountain, and played for too brief a time. They were really good! I'm sorry I didn't catch the band's name and I hope they'll be back soon.

A little dog at the fountain jumped repeatedly and exuberantly when his people splashed water on him, to the delight of all assembled. This photo doesn't really do him justice.

Karina took home a new hairband, but didn't want to try on the green sinamay disc hat, because it was "too weird." (Love!)

This feathered sinamay swirl
found a new home with this lovely lady.

I thought I'd use this lull to tell you a bit about my tent neighbours of the past several weeks. Roberto Riveros takes great photos of local landmarks and sells framed prints of them. Some of them include his friend Stephen Zaitsov, who helps him at the Market.

That's Stephen at Grossman's door.

Roberto is originally from Edmonton. He met Stephen, from Toronto, at a flop house in Vancouver. They don't seem very floppy these days. They've known each other for some twenty years now and have worked together before, like when Roberto ran a trucking business. They'd haul just about anything -- metal, fine furniture, computers, frozen goats, sometimes all at once. Roberto says he racked up almost a million miles, personally, during this time. Stephen adds that he himself got into some interesting accidents and hasn't driven since. Despite the memories that were sparked and the stories that poured forth too fast to record, neither misses this episode of their lives.

Stephen has fabulous style and a great love of hats. He has quite a collection, so I am honoured that he likes Mean Mr. Mustard, too.

For Roberto, photography is his hobby. He has a portfolio career; he does lots of things for a living, like building websites. Perhaps his most important job these days is taking care of his young son. With his wife at nursing school by night and working by day, Roberto's getting his little guy ready for his very first day of school tomorrow.

Roberto's photos,in black and white and colour, are attracting lots of close looks by lots of Market visitors. His framed prints are priced from $25 to $110. Take a look for yourself.

It's been (and still is) great having these guys sharing my tent this summer and I hope we'll get to do it again next season.

Fort-ified

2011-09-01T19:56:00.057-04:00

Last weekend I was in Amherstburg, near Windsor, selling my hats at ART by the River. It's an annual craft sale at historic Fort Malden, on the Detroit River, benefiting the local Gibson Gallery.

I was invited by my friend Jacqui Uza, who makes gorgeous vintage-style beaded purses. She and her husband, George, travel the world and sell the purses at all kinds of events as they go. Cool or what?

Never having sold my hats outside my major metropolitan area, and hardly ever getting out of it, period, I was excited and a bit nervous about my late summer adventure. The indispensable Scott stayed home to take care of our two cats. But he did handsomely have the car serviced pre-road trip and taught me how he loads it with my gear, which was great.

Thanks to Google Maps and our own map book, I got there without much trouble. Jacqui and George live in nearby LaSalle, where I was their guest for the weekend. We went to set up our tent and big display items as soon as I arrived.

What a pretty place Fort Malden is! It was pretty important during the War of 1812 and has had a varied career in its history. Vendor tents covered much of its grounds, which were looking terribly spruce after 200 years.
Remember this guy, from St. Lawrence Market in July? He sure gets around.

The weather was fabulous! We were so lucky, since it was a rain-or-shine deal. (Thanks a lot, sun, eh?)

Our tent site was in a lovely part of the park, near the riverbank. We couldn't have loved it more. On Saturday a tall ship flying Old Glory cheekily sailed past and boomed cannon at us, delighting the humans and frightening the dogs.

A sheltie panting post-boom.

I spent a lot of time looking at the river and wishing I could get in it.

That's Boblo Island, now a tony residential enclave, previously an amusement park where George worked summers in his youth. I understand there were hijinks. Or possibly high jinx.

Saturday began on a peckish note as we arrived to finish setting up before we had eaten anything. There was no handy eatery near enough to come back with hot coffee, and, amazingly, none of the food vendors had any. I need my caffeine in the morning, people! And something to eat, too! The morning was saved by the lovely and talented Wafa and her hubby Rusty, of Sun Sweet Catering, who make the most fantastic hummus dips. They very kindly fed me a toasted bagel shmeered with their awesome garlic spread and instant coffee with honey. Bless them both! (Yes, I had breath mints with me.)

The weekend sales started slowly each day, but progressed nicely as the days went on. Jacqui's purses are like catnip to the local ladies, who are no fools. My hats were well received, too. I was flattered to be invited to a hatty event nearby next winter.

It was difficult peeling myself away on Monday morning to head back home, but it was lovely to see my darlings again. Apparently I was missed! I'm lucky. (Have I mentioned that before?)

And now, photographic souvenirs of my millinery road trip:
The set-up tents all tucked in for the night, Friday.

Open for business, Saturday.

Our tent with hats and purses.

Our teeny table, with George just visible on the right.

Barb strikes a pensive pose in Mean Mr. Mustard.

Jalyn and Peyton, who indulged me by posing in their outfits that matched a couple of my pieces.

Shirley. Ditto.

Angel-Lee in her new gold linen band.

This lady took home a different hat than this one, leaving this one free to be chosen by someone else.

For when you need a safety pin.

A beauty models "Mood Indigo."

I missed Hannah's dance performance, but not her aqua braces, which matched this band.

Solange continues the colour theme.

And so does Emily.

A drum sergeant of the fife and drum corps.

A soldier's wife about to open a building and lead a tour. Her costume looked very authentically historical as she called us "guys" and worked on the computer.

Ballerina Megan strikes a pose in a purse by Jacqui and a band by me.

And she didn't think she looked fabulous in this. Tsk. But a chorus of "Yes, you do's" convinced her, and now the hat is hers.

Elise, left, knew she had to have this pink slouch cloche. Kelly is on the right. But I believe she was wrong not to have bought the cap she's rocking here.

Two silly ladies. The one who isn't me (in green) is Jacqui Uza, modeling "Eliza".

Another "Eliza" fan.

And, finally, Judy, who loved it so much she made it her own. It's crossing the river to live in the U.S. Godspeed, Judy and "Eliza"!

Thanks, Jack

2011-08-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

Jack Layton was an amazing guy. Such heart, such vision.

I had the great privilege of volunteering for his campaigns in the 1990's, and, since he was a good friend of our fearless leader, he would reciprocate as a volunteer auctioneer to help the animal protection non-profit organization I worked for. He was spectacular in that role, making it exciting and fun to part with money for a good cause. I will always be grateful to him, for that and for everything else he achieved in public life for the greater good.

Goodbye, Jack, and thank you so much.

Here's a 1995 newsletter snippet about a rock music event called Animal Magnetism, with Jack as auctioneer above, and me modeling a shirt donated by Leonard Cohen for the MuchMusic camera.

Absence Alert - Saturday, August 27

2011-08-26T11:20:00.002-04:00

I will be away from my table at St. Lawrence Market this Saturday because I will be at a sale out of town this weekend. I will be back next Saturday, September 3.

September?!

Brain Flowers and the Fountain of Youths*

2011-08-21T19:06:00.028-04:00

The universe smiled once again on St. Lawrence Market the Saturday of this weekend, providing lovely weather and enough foot traffic to not notice this was the first weekend of the Canadian National Exhibition, or the Ex as we call it. This means that summer is winding down, in case the shortening days wasn't clue enough. I remain firmly in denial. Summer is way too short up here to kiss it goodbye before absolutely necessary.

Little kids, like Isabella (with her dad, Adam, above) were playing in the fountain with the dogs, and I wasn't. This is so wrong. I think I need to borrow a child to have an excuse to wade. A jazz duo serenaded a baby. Lots of pretty summer dresses walked by, held up by equally pretty women and girls. I bought some flowers that look like brains because they went with my table.

It was a really good day. Everyone seemed to be in an up mood and sales were going well. More like this, please!

On with the show:
Patrica in one of the two hats she bought.

And in the other one.

Caridad posed for me in this pink slouch cloche she was trying on.

Dog days of summer.

Lovely Mariam models a band that goes smashingly with her dress.

Brain flowers. If anyone would care to elucidate me as to what their proper name is, I will update this post.

Marie was very pleasant company as she chose which poorboy cap to make her own. She decided on this one.

Paula Corbett and one of her amazing puppets. This one is a Scotty dog. She had a Scottish punk puppet in a kilt and green mohawk that found its forever home yesterday. How I shall miss it...

That jazz duo and that baby.

It's high time I showed off Salome's creations again. She is an artist and she creates in many media. For the Market she makes jewelry which she crochets in wire and semi-precious stones and beads, in gorgeous colour combinations. And monsters! Big ones, little ones, and itty-bitty ones. You should buy them. Many do, you know.

Just as I thought I was done for the day, Judy comes along and bought my grandest hat. She's an interior designer. I always get a special thrill when an artist invests in me. Thank you, Judy!

*I couldn't decide which title I liked best for this post, so I used both.

Heather and Fate

2011-08-18T12:35:00.004-04:00

Remember Heather, who bought the coral loopy sinamay fascinator last Saturday? Of course you do. She sent me a lovely email and photos yesterday, saying:

"I saw you at the St. Lawrence Market Saturday morning and bought my 'hat' that I wore to a wedding the same day. I had so many compliments and comments on it and it matched/topped off my outfit perfectly. Thanks so much. I love it."

Fate! Don't you think? I do. Thanks, Fate! And big thanks to Heather, whose fabulous feedback made my day!

Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack!*

2011-08-14T19:26:00.019-04:00

Eddie Shack came by my table! Okay, not of his own volition, but because I asked him to. Eddie (or Mr. Shack as I humbly addressed him) is a Saturday morning fixture at St. Lawrence Market. He is an alumnus of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, back in the 1960s when they used to win the Stanley Cup with boring regularity. The team won five times between 1960 and 1967, then never since. Good times, good times...

Anyhoo, we see him every week, supporting his favourite vendors and being extremely gracious to everyone.

This Saturday the always sartorially stylin' Mr. S. was wearing this amazing autographed cowboy chapeau, so I asked him if he would drop by my portable hat shop and have his picture taken. So he did! The indispensable Scott was thrilled, because he's a Canadian male and therefore a hockey fan. (Yes, it's almost that much of a given.)

Eddie's hat was covered by autographs of heroes of hockey and other sports, including "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe, and Gordie's wife, Colleen; legendary ex-Leaf Red Kelly; golfer Moe Norman; basketball legend "Dr. J" Julius Erving; extremely cute ex-Blue Jay Kelly Gruber, and oodles more. Really a sports fan's bonanza.

As if that wasn't enough, Eddie pointed out that he was wearing a Stanley Cup ring. I had to snap that, too. Oooh! So big! So blingy!

And you know what else I just found out while Googling Eddie? He started his hockey career playing for the Guelph Biltmores, named after that city's famous hatters! How perfectly perfect is that?

So that was a good start to the day! The winning streak continued with two purchases right off the bat (or hockey stick), which is always so encouraging, and ended with one just as I was packing up. It was a really good day. The weather stayed excellent, no corn smokily roasting nearby (which is why I played hooky last week), the customers kept coming, and the full moon didn't repercuss badly at all! (Yes, yes, Spell Check, I know, I know... )

* Title of a #1 hit pop song by Douglas Rankine with the Secrets.

And on with the show!
The Hat. All sports fans bow down.

The Ring. And a very nice manicure. Man- icure.

Maggie, the first customer of the day. She's taking her new hat to live in Florida where it may get wet. And that's okay.

Heather, hot on Maggie's heels, in her new fascinator. Great colour choice!

Sometimes a girl just needs to try on something like this, as Avital demonstrates.

Jana models a cap that complements her outfit and lovely smile.

Mildred rocks her cute new two-tone poorboy cap.

Cutest dog of the day! And it had some fierce competition of not-fierce pooches, too.

This band on the south side of Front Street enlivened our afternoon with tubacious renditions of pop hits. Sadly, "Clear the Track, Here Comes Shack" was not among them. But "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was.

Salome in a hairband I made just for her. Just because she's always so generous and kind, and an absolute scream.

Cedy, in her new natural linen bucket hat. Her nephew bought it for her as I was packing up. Yay nephew! Yay Cedy!

Mary Anne's Hat

2011-08-08T20:59:00.007-04:00

Mary Anne cuts my hair, and she's very good at it. When she asked me to make her a hat for a recent family wedding, I was delighted. Her talent and skill has been making my head look good for some time now, I wanted to return the favour.

She chose an eggplant parasisal straw base which I trimmed in singed iridescent organza -- a hat band and a flower of many individual petals and shades. The centre of the flower was created from a pair of earrings Mary Anne provided. (This was the first time I'd done something like that, and I was happy that it worked.) Natural, shaved coq feathers provided the finishing touch, nicely echoing the iridescence of the organza and the jeweled centre.

I was really happy with the results, and Mary Anne seemed pleased, too. She graciously provided the photo of herself and her partner, Jimmy, on their way to the wedding.

Many thanks to David Dunkley, who kindly helped with the brim. (He'd bribed me to spare him some extra time if he helped me finish this piece, so it was a win-win situation. Yay!)

Absence Alert

2011-08-04T13:55:00.002-04:00

Just to let you know I will be (most uncharacteristically) away from my post at St. Lawrence Market this Saturday, August 6. I will be back the following Saturday, though. In the meantime, feel free to email me.

July Bye-Bye

2011-08-03T19:37:00.007-04:00

July went out with a bang at the Market. Gorgeous weather and a good day for sales, Caribbean Carnival (the festival formerly known as Caribana) and long weekend notwithstanding. I wasn't at the Market on this weekend last year, so it was interesting to see what it would be like.

It was good! We had some friends drop by our tent to say hi, which is always nice, and there were more vendors than usual, which gave us all new things to look at and covet. Like ballerina bunny toys and big tissue paper pom-poms which were all kinds of jolly. I was tempted to grab a pair and lead everyone in a cheer, until sober second thought kicked in. (I was also sorely tempted to jump in the fountain and cool off with the dogs and little kids, but once again, that pesky maturity interfered.) Graham, above, didn't have any such scruples about modeling one of Elise's new hair toys. Go Graham!

Here is the rest of this week's gallery:

Lindsey and Danica played dress-up in fascinators....

...but Sarah made the Queen of Hearts-ish strawberry fascinator hers!

Alice chose this wide-brimmed silver striped hat with the chain band.

Jean in her new blue patchwork hat.

Royal Souvenirs

2011-07-25T20:16:00.006-04:00

A client's son was on Parliament Hill this past Canada Day, when some auspicious newlyweds were passing through. He snapped some fabulous photos of the occasion, and has most graciously allowed me to share them with you.

My millinery heart cockles were right warm that day. Thank you, Your Royal Highness!

Hot Children in the City*

2011-07-25T19:31:00.006-04:00

* With apologies to Nick Gilder.

It was hot on Saturday at the Market. Not, mercifully, as hot as the previous two days had been, which was off the charts. We almost broke a record on Thursday. Chez moi we just stayed in with the bedroom air conditioner blasting away, which does help most of the house, and the windows all darkened, trying not to move too much. Eating salads. Drinking lots of water. Watching the lawn shrivel up. Sigh...

But Saturday was not so bad, with the nice lake breeze coming up Market Street. People seemed a bit relieved that the walloping heat had subsided, like Henry and his gang, above. And Sunday's rain was a big help. Monday, as I write this, is just lovely, with much of the humidity gone, at least in my neighbourhood.

I think I talk at least as much about weather on this blog as I do about hats. This is because a) I am Canadian, and that's what we do, if you believe the cliches, and b) I work outside in the summertime. So weather affects me and my vendor neighbours rather a lot.

Consider the poor soap makers. Lovely homemade soap doesn't like too much sun or rain. Neither do art or photographic prints. Etc.

A few visitors on Saturday, but rather quiet all in all.

Here is the gallery:

Dress-up time with Maike.

Dress-up time with Sophie and Olivia.
Isn't this the cutest picture? Don't the cockles of your heart feel warmer now?

Dress-up time with Twyla.

Christine in her new periwinkle linen chapeau, in front of Salome's beautiful jewelry display. All other customers were feeling too camera shy to be photographed.

Salome in my new gingham equestrian cap with the fetching zipper trim and one of her many fabulous pairs of specs.

2011-07-18T19:25:00.007-04:00

It was another gorgeous day at St. Lawrence Market last Saturday. The breeze was very nice for most of our time there, wafting up Market Street from the lake, to cool us in the warm sunshine. It's easy getting up early on such a summer's day.

How we wished we could have our own fountain to slosh through, as the doggies (and the occasional child) do in the one beside our tent.

So many pretty summer dresses going by. My friend Linda and I had to stop someone just to tell her how much we loved her dress. Very Marimekko. Made me feel cool just looking at it.

A good day with visits from friends, and the lovely Joanna Sipos of Belle Boutique jewelry beside us for the day. She's a fabulous artist and a very nice person. If you go to the One of A Kind Shows, be sure to look for her and her amazing belts.

On with the show...
Ellen in her pretty new hair band. It will be worn to a wedding in Colorado Springs soon. I wish I traveled as much as my creations do...

Leslie in her new wide-brimmed green hat, her second Hat by Anne. Merci beaucoup, Leslie!

Lisa and Myles, who approved his mum's choice.

Joanna's turn to strike a pose in "Eliza", and one of her own extraordinary necklaces. Beautiful, no?

Beaver Tales

2011-07-11T19:02:00.025-04:00

Last week I misplaced my camera. Not much point in blogging about the Market without any pics to show you, so I didn't. The camera finally turned up, well hidden under a big tube of buckram in my workroom. I guess it really wanted the day off. I can relate. I used whatever excuses I could to get out of math in high school. I never did hide under a roll of buckram, though...

This week the camera graciously agreed to accompany us once more to document our Saturday. It was a lovely, sunny day. The weather was perfect -- breezy, warm and not sticky. Thank you, universe!

St. Lawrence Market often has special events and promotions happening. Some poor person brought her young son down especially because she thought it was Buskerfest weekend. That's not until the end of August. Instead, we had a giant, inflatable beaver promoting Canada's national parks. The beaver, who is unnamed (I checked), has the honour of having appeared at the closing of last year's winter Olympics in Vancouver. His staff were handing out helium balloons, so hopefully the busker-less child was somewhat mollified by one. I know I was. I had a jolly yellow one dressing up a corner of my tent for the day. Salome wanted to know if they were handing out beaver tails, but no. They should rectify this.

A local restaurant was handing out deviled eggs, though, and discount cards. No giant inflatable chickens, though. You really can't have everything.

As usual, people came, played dress-up, and some bought. So on with the show:
This charming young lady from Indiana (whose name I shamefully forgot to ask for) was in town with her family for the Honda Indy, across town. Maybe she was wearing her new black rosette hairband when Dario Franchitti crossed the finish line. And if she sees this and emails me her name, I promise I'll update this post and include it.

Dr. Heather Dawson, MD and southern belle. I believe she blessed my heart. It was very charming. Southern ladies know about hats.

Sally modeling my latest sinamay swirl fascinator, which I dyed coral. Dyeing is easy. Comedy's hard.

This is Georgia, a Cairn terrier. The in-
dispensable Scott and I had one once, and we're suckers for them. Georgia is especially sweet.

(Don't you kind of like this photo, with all its shadows? I do!)

Shivani and Alison. They came by to play with the fascinators, then came back to buy them. Alison chose a different one than the one she is modeling, but Shivani kept this one. And I couldn't be more flattered that they chose to grace their pretty heads with my work. Thank you, ladies!

(BTW, Spell Check hates the word "fascinator". It should really get over this.)

"Eliza" on Salome. Two fair ladies.

"Eliza" and Megan. See above.

This little read-headed girl's (LRG) name also escapes me. This is what happens when you multi-task and don't write things down right away. She had to model all the hats that fit her while posing with carefully chosen fake floral arrangements from my table display. Cute little ham.

(Please email me her name, o mother of LRG, and I will update this post!)

As another Market day draws to its close, two vendor neighbours play dress-up. That would be me on the right. I am wearing one of Salome's latest creations, a necklace of greenery-yallery crystals and stones amidst crocheted wire. Awesome. (Spell Check also hates "amidst", which just goes to show how ridiculous it is.)

Definitely time to call it quits!

Post-Frabjous Saturday

2011-06-26T20:18:00.010-04:00

The first Saturday of actual summer reverted to the blah weather to which we're getting all too accustomed. It sprinkled a little, but, thankfully, with no real commitment. Where's that summer weather spirit, huh?? Where's the "Let's get out there and shine and warm people!" Weather today, I tell you...

Anyhoo.

The day went on as days tend to do, and it was fine. It's always good to see my vendor neighbours and meet new people who come by to try and/or buy. A ladybug was among them.

Here's this week's gallery:
Adorable sisters, Isabelle and Chloe.

More adorable sisters, Charla and Deborah. Deborah is trying a new design I unveiled this week, in pink linen. I call it the "Lily Garbo": Lily, for the vendor neighbour who inspired it, and Garbo, because it reminds me of her, too. This one found a home quickly.

This is either Pandora, Phoebe or Kiki. They wheeled by and did some major barking at other dogs who had the temerity to cross their pram's path.

Aileen workin' it in my Queen of Hearts-ish strawberry fascinator. She chose a turquoise sinamay one for keeps, though.

Draw!

2011-06-25T19:31:00.001-04:00

So did you notice how I didn't draw a winner of a fascinator last Wednesday? No one else did! No one replied to my what's-in-the-window contest. Fortunately, I'm too busy to mind.

If I try this again, I'll tell you all about it.

Strawberry Festival A Red Letter Day!

2011-06-20T18:13:00.019-04:00

Saturday, June 18 was just gorgeous. Finally! A Saturday that didn't rain, or even threaten it! Warm and sunny! Lovely lake breezes! And strawberries!

It was Strawberry Festival Day at St. Lawrence Market. Yummy-looking trays of chocolate-covered beauties wafted by my table. Celebrity chefs in the south market were giving demos, as were local producers. Lots and lots of people were around to enjoy it all. There was a feeling of ebullience in the air, as if everyone was kicking up their mental heels for a long-awaited warm, sunny Saturday.

We vendors had been encouraged to make strawberry-themed merchandise in honour of the occasion, so we did. I made hat pins and fascinators (pictured above on one of Salome's strawberry sock monsters). Salome Cordeiro and Maria Lopez, my jewelry-making neighbours to my right, had apropos offerings and shared an adorable strawberry top fabric awning Salome had made that spanned their two roofed market carts. Many of us were wearing the jolly red promotional T-shirts the management had given us. It was really, really theme-y.

It was also an excellent day for sales for us. In fictional milliner-speak, it was positively frabjous! (Callooh! Callay!) I don't know whether to thank the event, the weather, or a new table setup I unveiled that day; I just know I was so busy I had to forgo taking photographs before long. And that when I got home I was so knackered that I almost forgot to Futterwacken vigorously.

But I did squeak in a few pics, and here they are:

The lovely Elizabeth chose to model this hand-dyed silk and organza fascinator, "Mood Indigo", which she graciously graces.

Allie looks awesome in aqua.

This is Kimmie playing dress-up. Flair for days, I'm telling you.

Kimmie again, working it. She chose this cap and a sinamay fascinator which might not have long to live if she wears it to school.

Leslie chose two other hats and an embellished band, but also looked so great in this one I asked her to pose for this photo.

This turquoise creation with peacock feather has been waiting for Pam to make it hers.

The never boring Salome pertly posing in my Queen of Hearts-ish fascinator. (It's still available, you lucky people. Salome, however, is not.)

This is the front view of my new table set up, with the indispensable Scott in the back, and your intrepid milliner visible in the mirror. Was this new look responsible for especially awesome sales?

Or was the new side view?

So if you want to find me this week, I'll be glued to my work table. See you at St. Lawrence Market next Saturday!

Hey Beachers!

2011-06-15T18:13:00.003-04:00

Announcing a new contest for my neighbours!

Tell me what's in the window (or better yet, send me a photo) at 902 Kingston Road right now (June 15) and I'll enter your name in a draw for a free fascinator!

You can email me or make a comment on this post.

You have to be quick, because I'll be changing the display soon.

I'll make the draw next Wednesday, June 22 and announce the winner.

I hope to hear from many of you! Good luck!

Woofstock 2011

2011-06-13T16:18:00.013-04:00

Once again the doggies descended in droves upon Front Street last Saturday for Woofstock 2011. Established in 2003, it's like a kind of Ex for pooches and the people who love them. People bring their dogs who may be all dressed up, or au naturel (the dogs, not the people; clothing remained mandatory for humans) to meet and greet, mix and mingle, and do things dogs and people like to do together. You could even have your dog's DNA tested! It's an extremely adorable event. Scott and I loves us some pooches, so we have a lovely time kissing and patting and squealing with glee.

One of my recent customers came by to tell me how much he likes his cap, and of the good comments he's had in it. Always a pleasure to hear some positive feedback!

The weather very kindly co-operated, which was a huge relief after last week's deluge.

And Woofstock gives us lots of extra photo ops! Here's this week's album:

Dorothy stopped by for a little dress-up.

Many have played with this colourful creation, but Helen is the one who made it hers.

Dorothy selected one of my new sinamay and feather fascinators to wear to a wedding.

(Interesting coincidence: One of my favourite relatives was my Aunt Helen, whose middle name was Dorothy. How amazing is that??)

Isabella was dancing to the klezmer band with help from her dad, Adam.

This fountain was a very popular hub for the pups. Much diving and chasing of Frisbees and balls ensued.

A rare sighting of a dog in sandals. Nicely co-ordinated with her sundress, as you see.

Luke. What a lovely boy. I grew up with a series of Great Danes, and I love them. It's so great that these days these big beauties are allowed to wear their ears unmutilated by cropping.

Some local colour:

In Honour of My 100th Post, Presenting... Eliza!

2011-06-09T16:07:00.004-04:00

I had just finished this hat when I noticed that I have now made 100 posts to this blog. It seems apropos to honour that occasion with the reveal of "Eliza." She's a good girl, she is, and she's adorned by an English rose. David Dunkley brought me a spray of them when he was studying in London a while ago. This is the hat that inspired me to finally utilize one of them. I think they deserve each other. What do you think?

Duck Weather

2011-06-04T18:51:00.009-04:00

It was bound to happen one of these days, and today was the day. Scott and I got to the Market and it started to rain. And it wouldn't stop. It rained and rained and rained and rained. We don't have sides on the tent the Market provides, so we got quite damp. It got so dark the street lights came on. Needless to say, the few people who scurried by were much too wet to stop to browse the crafts. We hung around for half the day, trapped by the weather, until our will to live began to recede and we decided to call it a day.

So we packed up our damp selves, damp hats, damp almost everything, packed it in the car and went to see the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, playing at the cinema next door. It was just the thing to cheer us up. Of course, when we emerged afterwards the sun was out and so were the people. There was no point in setting up the hat display again, because the hats were still wettish. Who would want to try on a wettish hat? The few brave vendor souls who stuck it out (I'm lookin' at you, Maria and Marjorie) won the day. My hats off to you guys! All my hats.

Offloading water from the tent roof with a broom. This nice man came around often.

So no one got to see my pretty new slouch cloche in silver and white. Next week will be sunny and dry, right???

Market Fluctuations

2011-05-31T05:47:00.001-04:00

We were back at St. Lawrence Market for this last Saturday in May. The weather didn't know what it wanted to do, so it did it all: cloudy and cool, sunny and warm. It never actually rained on us, for which we are truly grateful. It pays to dress in layers. It also pays to bring a chamois to dry off one's sodden table prior to setting it up, or to have friends who will lend you theirs. (Thanks, Lena!)

Karina kindly paused to pose.

Faye, Linda and their mum Doreen Dohoo. Faye, from Detroit, is modeling her new equestrian cap with zipper trim that looks so great with her top. Linda is in her new hairband that looks so great with her colouring.

James busting a move to promote O.I.P. Dance Centre.

When I saw what my fellow vendor Gloria had on today, I asked her to model this hat.

Many have admired the safety pin trim on this grey linen striped bucket hat, but Kate is the one who made it hers. I think they'll be very happy together.

Henriette and Anne Visit My Home Showroom

2011-05-27T15:05:00.007-04:00

Last Christmas, Anne (another one) and her siblings wanted to give their mother, Henriette, something special. As Henriette is a longtime hat lover, a gift certificate from a milliner was a natural choice.

Just today Anne brought her very stylish mother to my home showroom. Another room reveal, another "Wow!" (My favourite one-syllable word.) We were all prepared for measurements and custom order taking, but no! Henriette found a couple of ready-made hats she liked very much that fit her needs for everyday, plus one a that's little fancier. She looks fabulous in both of them, and I am honoured to dress that elegant head!

Henriette models the black and white checked hat she eventually chooses, while Anne takes her picture. The hat reminded them of the decor of a room in their family's past, which Anne's siblings are expected to "get" once they see it.

I neglected to snap Henriette modeling her new Trilby. (If I'm really lucky, maybe she or Anne will send me such a photo???)

Trying on a grey linen striped bucket with safety pin trim

Checking Anne's photos

Playing dress-up in "Mean Mr. Mustard"

Anne playing dress-up in my sinamay fascinator. Her shirt demanded she try it on.

Absence Alert

2011-05-15T20:57:00.002-04:00

Please note that I will not be at the Market on Saturday, May 21. I will be out of town at a memorial service for a member of my family. See you (weather permitting) on Saturday, May 28.

Hats 1, Weather 0

2011-05-15T20:44:00.002-04:00

Well, the hats have always won, as far as I'm concerned. (Yes, I am a word nerd and can't resist a pun.)

It was supposed to rain all weekend. But when we woke up Saturday morning, there was no rain. There was gloom, and damp ground, but no precipitation was at that moment precipitating. Just anticipation of precipitation.

The rule chez nous about such occasions is we simply take the hats to Market and hope for the best. So this is what we did, and a kind universe rewarded us with a relatively dry and warm outing.

Not much foot traffic, however. It was very foggy and gloomy, if not actually rainy, and most people seemed to have chosen to stay in. Which is really their loss, because today, Sunday, is way wetter and colder.

Only one photo this week: Hailey, who was in town to compete in a hockey tournament. A jock, and a fashionista! Well-balanced child. Doesn't she look excellent in her sunny new hat?

To Market, To Market

2011-05-10T17:04:00.011-04:00

It's May, so that means I'm back selling my hats outside St. Lawrence Market on Saturdays. Last Saturday was our first day of the season. It's a little like the first day of school -- greeting returning vendor friends, meeting new ones and locating your position. Mine is practically the same as last year's - one tent closer to Front Street. (The tents are cheek-by-jowl close, so you probably won't be able to tell.)

The weather was quite nice, which is such a psychological boost to start the season with. Some cloud and coolness, but mostly sunny and warm.

We really lucked into our tent neighbours for the season. To our right is Lena Saunders, a jewelry maker and a peach, one of the first friends I made here, and on our left is Derek Ryles, who sells lavender products from his own farm in Prince Edward County. In a fabulous coincidence, he also happens to be a dear old friend of Scott's brother! It's looking like it will be a very happy summer.

So come on down and see us, and try on a hat while you're here! We'll be on the north side of Front Street, just west of Jarvis, between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (maybe later) on Saturdays from now until the end of September, weather permitting. And if I know in advance of any changes to that schedule, I'll post them her on my blog. Don't hesitate to email me, if you're planning to come. Not necessary, but always a pleasure to hear from you!

Now, on with the show!

Catherine is the very first person to try on my new equestrian-styled cap, and doesn't she just rock it? Why yes, she does.

Mayu and Haolin looking adorable in straw hats.

Kathy and Carla playing dress-up.

Debbie's taking her new hat to live in Michigan.

Melissa was taken by the undulating sequin trim weaving in and out of the folded grosgrain ribbon on her new slouch cloche. I called it "Nessie". It was a happy design accident and I'll be making more. Just not exactly the same. Every hat I make is one of a kind.

Harry and Edith

2011-05-08T20:59:00.003-04:00

Still feeling that Royal Wedding afterglow. Herewith a family photo with a royal touch.

Harry and Edith Pollard were my mum's aunt and uncle. Here they are in front of Buckingham Palace, circa 1970-ish. They had been invited for a Royal Garden Party, in Uncle Harry's capacity as mayor for the wee village of Carleton near Skipton in York, in the north of England. Of course Aunt Edith is wearing a hat.

Edith was a costumer for a community theatre company. I've blogged about her before. I really think my interest in millinery and other textile arts is at least partly genetic. It totally runs in my family.

Edith and Harry were absolute pussycats, and here they are in London to visit the Queen!

In Good Company

2011-04-27T21:22:00.003-04:00

Andrea Case of CTV came by yesterday to interview David Dunkley, my part-time boss. He's been very busy lately, with the attention his Royal Wedding collection has been receiving.

Here's a souvenir photo of the three of us.

Ta-Da! My New Home Showroom Springs Forth!*

2011-04-17T19:33:00.015-04:00

*or What I Did This Winter (with lots of help)

What to do with a growing client list and an unnecessary spare bedroom? Repurpose the bedroom into a showroom!

That's what I decided to do, and luckily for me, the indispensable Scott let me do it. (It's his house.) Not only let me, but helped me immeasurably and, of course, indispensably.

The first hurdle was the vision. After staring at the room in its un-renovated condition for way too long, I realized I was much too close to the trees to see the forest, so to speak. Enter Barbara Quinn of Breathe360, stylist extraordinaire. She came, she saw, she figured it out. It was awe-inspiring to watch her scan the room and envision what would go where, and in such detail. We had a plan and we started to work it.

I collected four bookcases over some months through Craig's List and Kijiji to display my hats and store fabric and other supplies. For my birthday last year, Scott's present for me was a beautiful antique wardrobe, for more storage. The lovely quarter-sawn oak desk and my grandma's oak table were already in place. Scott painted the walls a cheerful, soft yellow, painted the bookcases white, created cabinets in the bottoms of the bookcases and hung pictures. I made curtains, slipcovers and an inspiration board, and we both made oodles of hat stands with leftover MDF from the cabinet doors, dowel and styrofoam balls.

Once the paint was done the energy changed dramatically. It's the sunniest room upstairs, and the yellow paint makes my heart sing. I now work in here, too, and tidy up for clients' appointments.

My liking it was all very well and good, but what would my clients think? "Oh, wow!" was the first impression of the new showroom's first visitor. Phew!

Okay, enough with the talk. On with the photos!

This is the first impression from the hallway.

This is the room before we got busy.

Hats much?

Handy to have this aptly-coloured and sized framed print waiting to be put to use.

I love my cabinets. I thought them up, and the wonderful Neil at Rona told us how to make them. Neil is awesome.

Sewing projects: curtains and window seat cover, with cutout for windowsill. Hooray for spring-tension curtains rods!

I really am a milliner, see?

The very beautiful wardrobe Scott gave me, now a storage cabinet. Inside there is a wee Ikea shelving unit stained to match. This gives me the storage I needed without having to drill holes to hang shelves, which would have been a crime in such a gorgeous piece.

My new inspiration board, with lots of family souvenirs. I'm feeling my British roots, leading up to the royal wedding.

And so farewell!

So it works! I have a pretty, functional room in my home in Toronto's Beach neighbourhood to which to welcome my clients. When can I expect to see you??

Contact me for your appointment!

Thimble

2011-04-11T18:48:00.005-04:00

David Dunkley's been to London and brought me back a particularly apt Royal Wedding souvenir, purchased, most appropriately, in a shop behind Buckingham Palace. It joins a roster of other royal souvenirs, such as a Charles & Diana tea towel and a mug and plate commemorating the Queen's coronation.

So this is what I'll be wearing as I try to stay awake in the wee small hours for the big event April 29. Because a fascinator might get mooshed against my pillows.

Things That Have Been Springing Up Chez Moi

2011-03-18T15:34:00.004-04:00

Mushrooms?

Hat stands!

Mini Millinery

2011-01-26T16:15:00.005-05:00

A recent project for no good reason whatsoever.

I call it "Come On, Dover!" Extra marks for whoever can name the inspiration!

And the makeshift hat stand. Can you stand it?

Judy Welch, R.I.P.

2011-01-21T15:12:00.003-05:00

Very sad to learn that Judy Welch, my funny, fiery legendary St. Lawrence tent neighbour, died in her sleep Tuesday. It just won't be the same without her.

Rest in peace, Judy. Scott and I will miss you very much.

Magic

2011-01-12T18:47:00.002-05:00

"A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat." - Martha Sliter

Is It Spring Yet?

2010-12-28T18:50:00.000-05:00

HATS READY FOR SPRING

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Constant Comment

2010-12-21T16:04:00.002-05:00

I've been told that it's not easy to make comments on by blog. I hope I've rectified that now. You no longer have to register to comment. So bring it on! Just please be nice.

401 Redux the Second

2010-12-18T19:55:00.027-05:00

It was a long four days at the 2010 401 Richmond Street Artisans Marketplace, but I survived. The weather was on the warm side, and often drizzly. Not so very Christmassy, but not a blizzard, either, which we were half expecting for Sunday.

Two other vendors and I were on hand to decorate here and there on the building's main floor on the preceding Tuesday. And when I say I, I really mean they. And when I say they, I mean Marina Babic, creator of beautiful, fine jewelry, and Leslie Peters of Opal Owl, energy healing practitioner and creator of fantastic talismans. I knew what had to be done, and they did it. (Honestly, it was their idea!) And we were done very quickly, thanks to Carol Greaves's having figured it all out last year.

Friday was enlivened by a late-afternoon fire alarm which we were told was not a drill. Little kids from the daycare were paraded out. Reluctant to leave our tables, a kind lady came by to babysit them for us while we exited the building and enter the rainy street. Trucks came, sirens blaring, and we waited while they went in and almost as promptly came back out. Then we went back in and sent the nice lady on her way. No sign of smoke or anything, fortunately.

I asked the super what happened. Seems someone in the coach house with a welding torch set off the alarm. (There's a coach house? Who knew?)

This year's show was slower than last year's. I heard that from vendors I know about other shows this season, too.

My vendor neighbours were lovely, as is so often, and so fortunately, the case. On my right in our hallway location there was Alison of Grace Design, who makes beautiful accessories from rare obi and kimono fabrics. To my left was Doreen Dotto who was introducing uKloo (pronounced "you-clue"), an awesome reading/treasure hunt game for little kids. She developed it for her own son who was too wiggly to settle down with a book when he was learning to read. Now he's a university English major, so I guess the game works. Doreen had a steady stream of friends and relations come by, charming and supportive people all. To her left was Dan Nolan and his beautiful stained and fused glass. He's been making it for years and his expertise and artistry is very apparent in his work. His lovely daughter Clair joined him on Sunday. (That's her beaming out from Dan's table.) And Marina was on his left. More vendors were in a big gallery.

That wrapped up my sales season. But stay tuned, because millinery doesn't sleep!

Marina

Alison of Grace Design's friend, whose name I do not write down. (Bad milliner! No buckram!) But if she emails me, I'll rectify that tout de suite.

Max, the stylin' baby.

Another Alison, Doreen's friend, in a poorboy cap par moi. Merci, Alison!

Shelly, in her new poorboy.

My table.

Heather, in "Cherry Darling." I don't always name my hats, but this time I did. Aren't they an attractive couple?

401 Richmond Artisans Marketplace, December 9 - 12

2010-12-07T15:53:00.005-05:00

Just finished decking the halls at 401 Richmond for the big Artisans Marketplace that begins this Thursday at 11 a.m.

You'll be there, right?

Wendy's Sale

2010-11-18T17:07:00.003-05:00

In a recent post I mentioned that I would have news of my Heintzman House sale roommates later. Later is now!

Wendy Emery has a holiday season craft sale at her home in Richmond Hill to benefit a local swim team that's dear to her heart. She invited me and Janice, of Ceilidh's Kidz, to be a part of it.

I won't be there in person, but a selection of my work will be. I'll be in my workroom, millining away for the 401 Richmond Street sale, at which I will be present for four long days.

My Fifteen Minutes Start Now

2010-11-16T13:58:00.002-05:00

My fierce friend Jorge Midence has profiled me on his blog, Fierce Lives Here. I'm that tickled!

I met Jorge at my last millinery class. He's severely talented. It's very flattering to me to be chosen as a profile subject. I follow his career with interest, and expect amazing things from him. And if he ever has a launch party, I totally want to be invited!

Heintzman House Ushers In the Holiday Season

2010-11-14T19:44:00.042-05:00

Heintzman House looked very pretty in its seasonal finery this weekend. Talented crafters of many kinds filled its three historical floors for the 39th Annual Craft Show and Sale, and there was a steady stream of visitors both days to shop and sup in the charming tea room the wonderful ladies of the Auxilliary had set up. Saturday's weather was so gorgeous that some summer-loving guy strolled through in shorts and sandals. (No socks, you'll be glad to hear.)

Les chapeaux, Scott and I were in the same upstairs room as we had at the Boutique Sale there last May, and fortunate enough to share with one of the same neighbours, the lovely and talented Wendy, stained and fused glass artist. Her wares sparkled by the window (Wendy's a canny display space selector). Our other roommate was Janice, who makes life-sized dolls dressed in real kids' clothes -- Ceilidh's Kidz. (You'll notice they rocked my poorboy caps, too.) She and her friend Luella were very nice and lots of fun. And those Kidz just flew out of there, adopted into loving new homes. Way to go, Janice! More about my two neighbours later.

It was a very nice weekend, and the ever supportive and always indispensable Scott and I had a great time. Many thanks to the lovely folks who stopped and shopped. If you haven't been to this sale before, please try to do so next year, if you possibly can. It's juried for quality and diversity and it rocks! A big thank you to the Auxilliary members, led by Sabina Margitta, who did a splendid job of organizing and being ever gracious.

Lots of nice people came by to look at, try on and buy hats, like the ones in the collage at the top of this post. And...

A United Empire Loyalist lady, a.k.a. Diane

Sabina Margitta of the Auxilliary, fearless leader of the show.

Scott, the indispensable one. Transportation captain, chief roadie, and indefatigable moral support.

Wendy, glass alchemist extraordinaire.

Janice, and one of her well-behaved "babies."

Luella, Janice's friend.

My table.

Wendy's table.

Janice's "kidz".

Jacqui Uza came from LaSalle, Ontario, with her gorgeous vintage style purses, which she knits (!) and beads herself. She sells them, in person, all over the world. She'll be at Branksome Hall's seasonal craft show, Plaid Tidings, next weekend.

The name of this lovely young purchaser of the pictured hairband somehow got lost in the shuffle. My apologies. Please email me, o mystery girl, and I'll add your name forthwith.

Mary, a real cutie-pie.

Helen looked radiant in her new red Trilby.

Jeannie had me take her photo with her own camera, to capture how I styled her hat on her head. Clever!

Hat Fractions

2010-11-08T16:28:00.003-05:00

A sneak preview. All will be revealed at the holiday shows I mentioned two posts down.

All A-Twitter

2010-11-01T15:54:00.005-04:00

Oh looky, we've gone all tweety for the 401 Richmond sale!

Email me and tell me what you'd like me to make for the sale.

Holiday Craft Show Schedule

2010-10-17T19:13:00.009-04:00

Mark your calendars, friends and customers: this season I will be participating in two holiday craft sales. I may have another to tell you about in between these two, so please keep checking in (or subscribe).

The first show is the Heintzman House's 39th (!!) Annual Craft Show and Sale, Saturday and Sunday November 13th & 14th, from 10:00am to 5:00pm at 135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill. I'll be upstairs (I think), so please come find me there. This is my second time at this wonderful, historic property, but my first time at the holiday season show. If you're a history and/or architecture buff, you really should come see this place -- Ontario's first adobe house! You'd never guess!

The second show is the 18th Annual 401 Richmond Street Holiday Artisans' Marketplace from Thursday, December 9 to Sunday, December 12. Nice long hours for your shopping convenience: Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's on the main floor of 401 Richmond Street at the corner of Spadina. It's a juried show, as is the one at Heintzman House. We're aiming for a good variety of high quality, original work of many types.

It's another interesting place -- a factory in 1899, due for demolition in 1994, but saved by the Zeidlers and re-created into a lovingly restored, environmentally friendly building full of artists and craftspeople, non-profits and other interesting enterprises. Many of the artists open their studios during the artisans' sale. I will post more information on this as it becomes available.

Buy-Buy

2010-09-26T20:14:00.035-04:00

My last Saturday selling hats at the Market has come and gone. It was quite bittersweet, I must say. Weather was meh -- neither here nor there. My perennial tent neighbours, Judy Welch and Ian, were not there, so I couldn't say goodbye to them. Salome was, though, so that was comforting. She's such a blast -- funny, very kind and very talented. (Check her out: burfurtart)

As mentioned earlier, I decided to have a sale to go out in style (or perhaps so my customers could go out in style). Many hats found new homes with new customers -- people who have good heads on their shoulders. It was also great to see Gail again, who has bought two bespoke hats from me this season. She needed some fall hats, and scooped some great deals.

Next order of business is to work on new hats and head pieces for the holiday crafts shows. I'll be posting my schedule here soon. (Subscribe to my blog if you don't want to miss the announcement. See the sidebar at right.)

And without further ado, here's my photographic Market adieu:
Gail in one of her new acquisitions -- a coppery bucket with a wonderful aqua iridescence. It makes her complexion glow.

Joanna, looking very cute in her own new bucket hat, which she chose along with a feathered headpiece.

Anne Marie chose this floral tapestry piece. Another excellent, complexion-flattering choice made.

Salome in her new bespoke purple bucket. She dressed for it, too! She also looks awesome in her new, sage green fedora. I'm always so honoured when someone with talent like hers chooses to wear one of my hats, and to lend her practised eye to help a customer choose one.

Peter, a.k.a. "Daddy's Little Monster," rocking a baby-sized Ivy cap. I like a dapper baby, don't you?

See those leaves back there? They're not getting any greener, you'll notice.

Having taken possession of my please-pay-attention-to-my-sale balloons, Salome bids us a forlorn farewell.

Sale!

2010-09-23T12:45:00.004-04:00

My last day at St. Lawrence Market for the season is this Saturday. To celebrate the end of a successful summer, I'm having a sale! Already low prices will be ridiculously so. Please come and make me not have to pack much up at the end of the day, while forcing me to make a whole lot of new things for the holiday season sales coming up.

Say you saw it here!

September Song

2010-09-19T19:55:00.009-04:00

It was another good weather day at St. Lawrence Market this Saturday. Mild, no rain while we were at our table. Fewer craft vendors is the theme for September, weather notwithstanding. (Weather or not. Hee hee. Oh stop it, Anne.) Busloads of tourists are still being offloaded throughout the day and the homegrown shoppers are still in abundance. But there's no denying it -- this is the last weekend of official summer and the season is winding down.

A couple of musical buskers helped jolly up an otherwise dull day. One was a young girl, maybe ten years old, playing her violin. Scott (my indispensable one) told me that after her first number when no one paid much attention, she looked at her mum, shrugged, and started a new tune. What a little trouper! I think she made out okay, though. We certainly ponied up, as did some of the other vendors. She was very cute and pretty darn good, too. Later on a grownup with a guitar played many Can con hits that kept me bopping and singing along behind my grid screen. (It's like a car window. You feel kind of invisible behind it, even though you really aren't.)

Last week's "guardians" were still there this week, this time with young women to help them hand out posters. There were also young naval cadets selling tags, which became the vendors' accessory du jour. The cadet I spoke to had polished his boots so they looked like patent leather. He pointed out that these were only his work boots. At this rate I don't think I'd want to view his dress boots with the naked eye.

Pretty quiet at my table. Not a lot of visitors or customers. And then, to save the day, along came Denyse to buy my rakish fedora with the film strippy ribbon band. It's so wonderful when returning customers keep returning! It's very encouraging and motivating.

This was my second last Saturday at the Market. It sure was a fast four and a half months. Whatever shall I do with Saturdays at liberty? Make stuff to sell at Christmas, that's what! Stay tuned to this blog for news about the craft shows where I'll be selling my hats and accessories.

Pictured at the top of this post is Scott (another one, not my personal one) and Buddy, not his, but his frequent companion. Scott sells beautiful pashminas. Every time I see them together, Scott always says that Buddy almost killed him. I don't know if this is a recurring thing, or a one-off. Buddy almost kills me with cuteness, certainly.

And on with the show...
Audrey lending her grace to her new silk rose.

Denyse always looks fantastic in the hats she chooses. Thanks, Denyse!

Ian, Judy Welch's indispensable one, modeling one of Judy's chunky stone necklaces. (I told you it was kind of a dull day.)

September 11, St. Lawrence Style

2010-09-13T19:49:00.017-04:00

September 11 was as it should be -- a beautiful, peaceful day. It was mild and sunny while we were selling at St. Lawrence Market this past Saturday. More visitors were milling about, now that Labour Day weekend has come and gone and people return to the school year schedule.

Froshes were froshing (from Ryerson, I think), too. There was also another movie promotion going on. A Roman centurion named Alejandro was handing out free posters to little kids for something called "Legend of the Guardians". Owls are involved.

It was a much jollier Saturday than last week. Warmer weather, visits from friends who live or work nearby, and being regaled by descriptions of silly films my tent neighbour of the day, John, had made as a student. (He had an awesome hat on, too, which was unfortunately not made by me. A Sherlock Holmes-ian affair made of many fabric scraps.)

The big film festival, TIFF, is on, too. Sadly, no movie stars stopped by to try on my excellent black felt fedora with the film strip ribbon. (Which means you're still in luck!)

Lots more people did come by to try and/or buy. A couple of nice pooches, too. To wit:
Chimo. His name means "hello". I thought he was a Bouvier, but no -- he's a giant Shnauser. Giant-est one I ever met. And a real sweetie.

His counterpoint:

Lucy! A wiggly, wall-eyed cutie.

Michael tried on this green poorboy cap....

....but it was Keith who bought it.

My headpiece with the zipper, feathers and ribbon found a forever home with lovely Marlena.

Natalie snapped up my latest band with silk yo-yos and beads.

Froshery.

Tonya fell for my new cloche style. The feeling is mutual.

The Brrrr Months Begin

2010-09-06T15:41:00.012-04:00

It's Labour Day weekend and the weather wants to make sure you know that summer's over. Not officially, of course, but to all intents and purposes. It was darn chilly and grey and occasionally rainy this Saturday at St. Lawrence Market. My poor neighbour was underdressed for the sudden drop in temperature, jumping up and down to keep warm in his shorts and T-shirt.

It was a very quiet day, with very little foot traffic. Quite the juxtaposition to last weekend's hot and crowded Buskerfest. There was one interesting event, though. Someone kept announcing that there would be a marriage-related event at 12:30 on Front Street and that we should all pay attention. At the appointed time, a crew of young men performed a spirited dance routine. One of them did a back flip. Then another young man with a bull horn told a young lady that he was ready to go the distance for her for the rest of his life, got down on one knee, and proposed. She accepted, and the crowd went wild.

Did I mention that all this took place in front of the movie theatre where they're playing "Going the Distance"? Because it did. So I don't know if this was real or if it was a creative, yet excessive, way of getting into the movie for free. If you know, leave a message. But it was an amusing performance in the middle of a drab day.

I took shaky pictures for you.

Here is pretty Erika in her new headband with vintage lace from my great-grandfather's lingerie factory.

Rick, looking quite dashing in an Ivy cap.

See the couple in left corner? They are as yet un-affianced.

She says yes.

She accepts congratulations from passersby.

Buskerfest 2010

2010-08-29T18:21:00.021-04:00

The great festival of international street entertainers descended upon St. Lawrence Market this weekend. The hats and Scott and I were there on Saturday. And a fantastic day it was! The weather made a late-August resurgence into spectacularity* and we basked in sunny warmth. Nice change from last year's chill and rain.

Not surprisingly, there was a big crowd milling about on blocked-off Front Street. Families enjoying the free entertainment. I was mostly somewhat confined to my tent under the North Market eaves, so it was great that a steady stream of wandering buskers put on a variety of shows right in front of me. This was much more fun than last year, when the same entertainers put on the same shows in the same space several times a day. A Dado-like personage who "spoke" with a whistle amused and confounded with yo-yos, rope and juggling. A Japanese couple amused and confounded with unicycles. Pyromeo and Juliet played with love and fire. And so on.

What a day for my spare camera batteries to die. They had been recharged, really they had. Sadly, I only captured images of the first couple of acts.

On with the show!

Sue in her new sprigged grey chapeau. They make a lovely couple.

Nadia, truly a gilded lily in her new black and gold feathered band.

Kira, pretty in pink. And butterflies!

My tent neighbour, the aptly named Jewel, modeling her new feathered band.

Jewel and her jewelry.
Maybe I should call myself Hattie?

The juggler!

Very funny unicyclist couple.

Ta-da!

*Desk dictionary says yes, spell check says no. I'm going old school.

Attention Shoppers: Market Exchange

2010-08-19T20:17:00.002-04:00

Please note that I will not be at my St. Lawrence Market table this Saturday. My indispensable partner, Scott, is playing Hugh's Room that evening with his band, Kensington Market. (Scott plays bass.)

Maybe you heard them on CIUT's Take 5 this morning.

So come to see Kensington Market! They're really good! Of course, I would say that, wouldn't I? But I liked them on the radio before I knew any of them.

Neutrality Agreement

2010-08-15T19:10:00.015-04:00

It was all about natural linen colour yesterday. Every hat I sold was that delicious shade. Chic, timeless, flattering, neutral, easy to wear, goes with everything. I love using that colour.

St. Lawrence Market was much nicer without all the wood smoke from last week, if you ask me. A quick survey of some of my textile crafting neighbours featured the word Febreeze as the common denominator. All is well, though; no lasting ill effects were bemoaned. All my hats needed to recuperate was a breath of fresh air in our back yard.

The weather was just great -- not too hot, which was a lovely surprise, given the infernal forecast. Of course, we tend to be lucky where we're situated, with the lake breezes wafting up Market Street. And the rain held off, too. Lots of foot traffic, sensibly taking advantage of the luscious bounty offered by the farmers of the North Market next door to us crafters. I bought some divine French haricots verts from the Handsome Farmer. (I can't tell you which one that is, because I don't want to hurt the feelings of the other farmers.) And peaches and strawberries and tomatoes and kale. And sexy, stinky, runny cheese from the South Market. Life is good. (I almost typed "Life is food." An apt Freudian slip.)

Lots of visitors came by, which is so great. I love having a regular gig at a regular spot, so people can drop by knowing you'll be there. Friends, family (bearing home-baked goodies! Thanks, Kathy!), returning customers. It's very gratifying and a good way to feel rich.

Herewith the weekly photo parade:

Lovely Lucie was the first to try on my new gambler-ish straw. No one looked better in it, either.

Gail models her new, bespoke linen bucket hat with the pleated details. She says she likes it even better than the coral linen one she bought earlier this season. Thanks, Gail!

Linda in her new wide-brimmed natural linen hat. And a new, bespoke Trilby will follow.

Anne (easy name to remember!) in her new linen bucket. Don't they look happy together?

Pretty Adria in her pretty, sprigged band. Excellent choice!

Looking ahead to fall/winter, Katrinka models her woolly bow band. It says Minnie Mouse, but in a good way.

Summer and Smoke

2010-08-08T18:41:00.013-04:00

Yesterday there was a free corn roast at St. Lawrence Market. Gorgeous day for it, too. Last summer it took place only on the south side, and I never encountered it. This year they had it on both sides of Front Street. I was situated very close by.

They built a big, wood-burning fire next to the fountain, with no chimney. It produced a great deal of smoke. It smelled great for the first little while, until you noticed how much your eyes were stinging. It also produced a great deal of ash, which blew about in large chunks and settled everywhere.

The corn roast was very popular. There was a long lineup the whole time, which snaked right in front of my hat display. These folks were not hat customers. If there were any out there, they had a lot of people to wiggle through to get to my display. I guess that's why they didn't. It was also became pretty claustrophobic for us vendors, hemmed in by the press of humanity.

Sigh....

Fortunately, a kind universe favoured me with a very good day before the conflagration of the corn began. Herewith the photographic souvenirs:

Denise Dufour, a returning customer (my absolutely favourite kind), chose two new hats for herself. Here she is in a black and white gingham with zipper tape trim.

A real hat fan, Michelle fell immediately in love with my Balenciaga-ish chapeau. Add why shouldn't she? It was a millinery class project that earned a very high mark. It's great to see it find such an appreciative new owner. My mother will miss it, though. It was her favourite.

People. Lots and lots of people. Lots and lots of waiting. Note the tarpaulin my best beloved, Scott, has rigged in a desperate bid to block out the smoke.

Samantha knows what she likes. She chose this hat to model while waiting in line with her dad, Darryl.

A rare, behind-the-gridwall view of the sea of humanity slowly filing by my display.

Attention Shoppers

2010-07-27T20:25:00.003-04:00

Please note that I will not be at my usual post at St. Lawrence Market this coming Saturday, July 31 due to an important family occasion. I'll be back, weather permitting, Saturday, August 7.

Merci!

Pendant Moi Le Deluge*

2010-07-27T19:47:00.016-04:00

*With apologies to Louis XV.

Last Saturday at St. Lawrence Market began beautifully -- sunny and breezy, not really hot like last Saturday was. Just about perfect, really. Lots of foot traffic, including two customers who came back for more! I love when that happens! Joanna Sipos of Belle Boutique was there, selling her fantastic jewelry. Everyone loves her. She's so nice and so talented. (Disclaimer: I work for Joanna and David Dunkley of KC's Hats on Sundays.) Somewhat fewer craft vendors than usual. Maybe they were scared away by the weather report.

They had a point. Mid-afternoon what looked like a piffle of a trickle at first glance quickly became a very purposeful downpour. My tent neighbours and a bunch of their friends and we were huddled under our tents, madly grabbing our creations out of harm's way, and learning quickly that the tents have holes in them. Not so much fun.

The last time we had a drenching like that was during Woofstock. Sometimes one is grateful for being off to one side, if said side has a concrete roof.

But it was good while it lasted. Herewith the photographic evidence:

The lovely Amanda, first customer of the day, gracing her new hairband.

Meagan, looking adorable in a straw bowler.

Rachel and Linda, playing dress-up. Although I do think Linda should make that Trilby hers, don't you?

Kate in a bow on a band.

Shy little Monica, the band's new owner.

The lovely and very talented Joanna. I was very flattered that she bought this band, and one other piece.

Carole found the perfect hat. Don't they look happy together?

Market Post-Bastille Day

2010-07-18T20:39:00.013-04:00

Bastille Day came and went and I almost forgot to sing the Marseillaise. Almost. I remembered in the nick of time and regaled my friend Heather with the first verse, very quietly, on the subway. She had taken me to see "Jersey Boys" for a very special birthday present. I had a blast! Everyone should see it and all bands should have choreography.

"Jersey Boys" and this French holiday have nothing to do with millinery, of course. Except for maybe cockades, those nifty little ribbon circles les citoyens wore on their caps. (Note to self: Make more cockades.) I could tell you some nerdy details about the origins of those, but not until you ask. Cheap bid for emails. (Sad, I know.)

Some Francophones did come by my table at the Market on Saturday, though.

The day began sunny and hot, but became cloudier and gustier later in the afternoon. My poor neighbour, Linda Childs, had a few hair-raising moments trying to keep her lovely creations framed in glass from falling to their deaths. It was close there, once or twice. Hats are bouncier.

Other than battening down our respective hatches, my tent neighbours and I were entertained by eye-catchingly costumed teams zooming about on a treasure hunt. It was The Great Urban Race, modeled after The Amazing Race on TV, to raise money for St. Jude's Hospital. They were having their pictures taken pretending to dive into the fountain and asking us where this and that were.

Otherwise, the north Market was abundantly bountiful with produce. Veggies, fruits and flowers seemed to have increased exponentially since last week. Come and see for yourself next Saturday.

Mark, looking quite dashing in an Ivy cap.

Sue, modeling her new wide-brimmed, hand-blocked, tea-stained straw. With chinstraps added for boating with confidence.

Syndey, Carleigh, Taylor, Kristi and Michaela - one attractive family, mostly from Arizona, and a bit from Michigan. Taylor chose a hairband with a zipper flower for a birthday present. Thanks, Taylor!

My friend and best customer, Lucy. She's been coveting this raspberry felt since Christmas, and finally took the plunge. She's looking forward to wearing it for real when it's more seasonally appropriate.

Feeling the Heat

2010-07-11T19:53:00.012-04:00

Another spectacularly beautiful day at the Market yesterday. We were so lucky that the heat wave had broken the day before, taking the oppressive humidity away. It was hot and sunny, but not the trying-to-kill-you kind.

Lots of visitors from near and far were afoot, or a-wheel. One was Ramteen, a photographer. He kindly shared with me the cool photo he took of my hats (left). The colour, the composition, the light and shadow! How nice to see my work through someone else's lens. Thanks, Ramteen!

Also, a couple stopped by who used to run a millinery store on Adelaide. It's always fun to meet fellow milliners, but I always seem to meet retirees who have sold all their hat blocks. If you have hat blocks to sell, I'm all ears!

Now it's time to get cracking on a hat for Salome. She's off to Cuba this week, and she must be protected from that Caribbean sun.

On with this week's show:

This is Roslyn, who thought she didn't look good in hats. I love disabusing people of this illusion!

This charming Francophone is Gabrielle, who glows in her new coral linen chapeau.

This is Sydney. I could tell she was a dancer, but she chose not to strike a dancer-ly pose for this photo in which she models her just-made-that-day hairband.

Alley, front, and Blue. I once had a brother who was an Airedale, like Alley. It's true. My mother's other child.

Pat's Hat

2010-07-08T19:55:00.004-04:00

Pat, my best friend Heather's mum, had me make her a hat. I had a delightful time taking my millinery road show to her beautiful Lake Simcoe home on a gorgeous day last month. It was just as fun taking her the completed chapeau, as Heather and her hubby Johnmark came, too (and did all the driving! Score!). A bit breezy, so no lake dipping this time either (nerts), but another delicious and abundant lunch, walks and frolics with Oliver, overgrown puppy deluxe.

Pat chose a hat for gardening and Floridian sun. I think she made an excellent choice. The sunny colour makes her complexion glow. Thanks, Pat!

School's Out!

2010-07-08T19:16:00.012-04:00

This weekend took the nasty taste of last weekend clean away. It was sunny and warm, the kids were out of school, and everyone seemed to be breathing a collective sigh of post-summit relief.

As I said last time, I wasn't selling hats last weekend. My partner Scott and I did come to St. Lawrence Market anyway, to see what we were missing and to shop. We weren't missing anything. The weather was awful. The North Market was a virtual bowling alley. Very few farmers came in for the day. Only two brave souls selling their crafts under tarpaulins outside, trying not to be blown away by the winds. (Pathetic fallacy, anyone?) The South Market seemed quieter than usual, too. The liquor store on the corner was boarded up, but the bank wasn't, after all.

But last Saturday was very nice, indeed. We had our tent neighbour, Judy Welch, the model agent par excellence in her day, tell us about the time she met Elvis Presley. Lots of lovely people came by, like Judith, who had me make a custom linen trilby for her, and graciously allowed me to trim it as I saw fit. So I did. She loves it and it loves her. A few more hats found their forever homes, both locally and internationally. I thank their new "mothers".

Judith in her new trilby.

Trilby, trim-view.

Cheryl. She looked great in this one.

Gisele, in another trilby.

Helen and her new hat, which is preparing to enjoy life in Liverpool. Thankfully it's a big Beatles fan.

The lovely Ailish and Shannon, gracing well-chosen hair ornaments.

Fearful Summitry

2010-06-20T19:04:00.010-04:00

St. Lawrence Market was its usual self this Saturday, but we're bracing for whatever upheaval the G20 Summit next weekend will wreak. I hear the police have suggested to the farmers in the North Market that they may prefer to cancel their trips into town next Saturday, since highway travel will be made more interesting/challenging by the eighty-odd motorcades scheduled. A nearby bank has received a shipment of plywood with which to barricade its windows. Sheesh...

All the excitement will be taking place some distance west of the Market, except for the big pen they've built for the detainees from Queen's Park, and the downtown convention centre. That's southeast of the Market, along Eastern Avenue, in case you're planning to storm the barricades. Alons, enfants de la patrie...

Frankly, it's all too much to contemplate for me. I will not be at the Market next Saturday. I will be back Saturday, July 3 (barring monsoons) as usual.

Anyhoo, back to yesterday. It was quite nice, especially after the weather made a commitment to behave and the sun came out to stay. Nice people from near and far came by, as usual. I didn't get nearly as much work done as I'd planned to, as usual.

Salome Cordeiro had a table nearby, as she often does. She is as multi-talented artist who lends a hand to the same folks I do. So we're stablemates. Or something. Salome was selling some fabulous creatures she's made, "scalarags and sock imps", at least some of which were very, ahem, cheeky.

Amy (left) and Jocelyn gracing a brace of hair clips.

Emma-Rose, looking lovely in her aptly chosen hairband.

From the left we have Jane, Sydney, Lauren and Casey, four charming girls.

Salome and a bevy of her creatures. Please note that the sock she is holding up was made from a pair of kids' socks. A tiny thing made into a teeny thing.

Cheeky devil!

Woof

2010-06-13T18:57:00.011-04:00

If you like dogs, and lots of 'em, Woofstock is the place for you. Dogs and people were abundantly represented at St. Lawrence Market this Saturday, grey skies notwithstanding. From Great Danes to teacup Yorkies, from "naked" to costumed, it was a regular pup-apalooza. The skies finally opened mid-afternoon, right about the time we would be packing up, anyway. The event carried on today (Sunday) as well, which was rain-free. Hope everyone who went had fun, and all their shots.

A few brave souls wandered off the beaten path of Front and Market Streets to find me toward the back of the Park and make my day worthwhile, millinerilly speaking.

My shots (photographic) were limited, as all my camera batteries died. Even the spares. Here are the few I did manage to get.

These doggies, Kelsey and Quin, are staying at the King Edward Hotel, giving new meaning to the expression, "it's a dog's life."

Sandra in her new grey Trilby. Which was modeled earlier by...

Zoe, with Kayla and Donna.

Corinne looks quite dashing in her new peacock-trimmed chapeau with the bead and sequin motifs. And Michelle took home a grey silk calla lily headband.

This dachshund is Mila. She came back dressed in a centipede costume.

Amnesia Day

2010-06-07T20:34:00.020-04:00

Whew! It's been a busy week. On Monday, as previously posted, I went to the Dundas museum to see the glorious hats display. The next day I went to Lake Simcoe to visit a client, who happens to be my best friend's mum. A delightful afternoon. Gorgeous weather again, but the lake was too cold to get wet in. I hope to rectify that when I bring the completed hat that was commissioned. More busyness ensued, millinery and non, then before I knew it, it was Saturday and I was back to the Market once again.

I blame all this for me being too ditzy to write down the names of two of my photo subjects. If they see this, I hope they will be so kind as to email me so I can put their names next to their photos.

It was another good day, thanks to all the lovely people who bought hats or accessories for themselves or their sisters or daughters. There was a lot of love in evidence, very heart-cockle-warming. And what goes around, comes around.

What a little cutie.

This anitpodean elfin sophisticate's name eludes me. If she sees this, I do hope she'll email me to refresh my memory.

Katherine, right, bought her twin sister Libby the hairband she is wearing. The lime green silk looks great with Libby's colouring.

Melody's mother, in a matching outfit, bought her this hat. They were on their fifth annual Girls Trip, with other girls of their family, where they get together to visit new places and spend some quality time. Because life is short!

Next week at St. Lawrence Market it's Woofstock. If you likes you some pooches, come on down!

Museum Millinery -- Act Now!

2010-06-02T17:51:00.006-04:00

My millinery colleagues, David and Sheila, and I used our mutual day off this Monday to visit the museum in Dundas, Ontario, where hats were on display. Sheila had told us about the guest curator, Norma Shephard, and her Mobile Hat Museum some time ago, so we jumped at the chance to go see Finishing Touch: The Milliners’ Art & The Hatters’ Trade while the jumping was good.

It was a gorgeous day, and the town of Dundas, next door to Hamilton, was just beautiful. We poked about the main street and had a lovely lunch before visiting the tiny, perfect museum, where admission is by donation.

We made a beeline for the hat display, and spent a very fast hour ooh-ing and aah-ing over Ms. Shephard's collection. It was wonderful, and truly exceeded our expectations. I don't want to tell you everything we saw and loved and wanted to try to make ourselves -- I want you to go see it for yourself. Time is of the essence; the display is ending June 13.

May Day

2010-05-30T19:28:00.021-04:00

If it's this hot in May, what, pray tell, might we anticipate for July? Plenty of demand for wide-brimmed hats, I bet. That was the message I was getting from the many visitors to my St. Lawrence Market table yesterday.

The Market was bursting with activity on the first really gorgeous Saturday of the season, including a festive interlude with a wedding party towards the end of the afternoon. Beautiful saris, a resplendent groom and a jolly band, in the shadow of St. Lawrence Hall.

It was also the weekend for Doors Open, so lots of visitors poring over the historical buildings open for exploration. A friend dropped by to share his photos taken from the belfry of St. James Cathedral behind us. Pretty darn cool!

(Did I ever tell you that I once tolled the noonday bell at St. James Cathedral on Christmas Day? Because I did.)
Jean is taking this hat and silk flower home to Newfoundland, to keep off the sun as she tools around in her little red convertible. I love it!

Jessica and Beth, gracing two of my hairbands.

Marjolaine, who modeled this band because it went so well with her beautiful eyes.

Jane, who was a milliner in Vancouver. It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow hatmaker. She's also a fine painter.

Amanda, a young lady who really looks good in green.

Wedding festivities. 'Tis the season! The more, the merrier!

Kelly's With the Band

2010-05-23T18:24:00.004-04:00

Kelly Aija Zemnickis, aka KAZ, who bought the spriggy headband yesterday, kindly dropped me a line. She wore it to Conan O'Brien's show last night. Her band was a hit, and even drew a compliment from the comedian who opened.

And here I go, shamelessly telling you all this. Please forgive me.

KAZ tells me she's a playwright. One of her works is off to the Minnesota Fringe Festival this year. I love her works' titles. They are amusing, intriguing and make me want to know more. Judge for yourself.

Here's the photo Kelly sent me. Who's a pretty girl?

Victoria's Rain

2010-05-22T19:30:00.017-04:00

It's Victoria Day Weekend and we're celebrating her reign with precipitation. Not thunderously, just drippily. Cottages and gardens claimed their share of the population, but at St. Lawrence Market we bravely soldiered on regardless. Thank goodness for our tents! When it rained we just pulled our table under and stayed dry, and open for business.

Many visitors to our table today, starting with Ella, who was in her pajamas. She made a beeline for the coral hat and flower, the latter of which her mum kindly bought for her. Such a shy child; I do wish she'd come out of her shell just a bit.

This is Daryl. The man knows how to wear a hat and how to look at life.

Eric, Megan and Cameron. Pretty cute, for children.

Lauren. Girl fashionista. Takes after her mum.

Lindsey, who's taking this black and white embroidered hat to live in Dallas.

Kelly, who's taking this embellished hairband to see Conan O'Brien's show. Wee!

This young lady's braces match this hat's ribbons. How fun is that?

I'm Baaaaack!

2010-05-15T19:37:00.006-04:00

It seems like I've been waiting forever to get my spring/summer sales season underway at St. Lawrence Market. But now I'm back ! Finally!

It was not the sunny, warm day that was promised (I'm lookin' at you, CTV News and the Toronto Star), but it did not rain, and that was the main part. The foot traffic was about what you'd expect on such a day. Nevertheless, I had a most encouraging start and my work cut out for next week (well, as soon as I actually cut it out).

It was good to see other vendor friends from last year and meet some new ones. I have a nice spot near Front Street, right beside the fountain, which should be my perch for the next several weeks. So come on down and tell your hat-loving friends, too!

The pooch at the top of this post is Bruno. 10 weeks old. Cutest. Thing. Ever. Let me pick him up and kissed me and kissed me. I was a goner.

Em, left, and her twin sister Jessica, who's having me make her a black wide-brimmed hat like the green one she's modeling. Em bought the water resistant bucket hat she's wearing.

France bought this ecru brocade trilby, my newest design, to keep the sun off her face while she sells her adorable knitted children's caps.

Alert the Media!

2010-05-07T14:18:00.003-04:00

Look what Vaughan Weekly chose to print of the no doubt many photos they took at Heintzman House last Saturday! I'm so chuffed I could die. Thanks, Michael!

Did I mention the photo is also on the front cover this week? Because it's on the front cover this week.

Heintzman House Boutique Sale

2010-05-04T14:49:00.012-04:00

My spring hat season was off to a great start last weekend. On Saturday Heintzman House was bustling (which is not really supposed to be a 19th century costume reference, but what the heck). Ladies of all ages and a few good men hummed through the house, fortified with complimentary coffee and cookies, doing some spring shopping with vendors of many ilks sprinkled throughout, to benefit the house's ongoing preservation and refurbishment.

The historic Thornhill property is beautiful and intriguing. Ontario's first mud (adobe) house! Since 1817! My indispensable right-hand man Scott and I were shown a piece of this under a movable panel in the front parlour. Techno-nerd that he is, Scott also found an old intercom in a room next on the list for refurbishment. We hope it stays. It's so cool!

Auxiliary ladies modeled spring fashions throughout the house. Thank you to those who borrowed pieces from me to top off their looks!

We had many visitors to our display and two charming roommates in our second-floor eyrie -- Wendy and Inna, jewelery makers both. A long but very pleasant day, all in all, in gorgeous surroundings.

Thank you to Sabina Margitta and the ladies of the auxiliary.

Maya in the gold hat, Naomi in the blue, and their mums.

Olivia tried on just about everything. Here she is in a small selection.

Where did Sarah go?

There she is!

Dorit looking quite fab.

Spring!

2010-04-15T17:44:00.008-04:00

It's spring and I couldn't approve more. In my world (my head), it's pretty much spring unless it's Christmas. It's absolutely my favourite season, especially right around now, with the trees all fluffy before they burst into leaf. That fluffy-tree smell is about the best thing ever. Thank you, Universe. Excellent work!

So yes, I'm still here. Sorry to have been away so long. I have been working away, though. My showroom-to-be (STB) wall is filling up with colourful new hats. I have a new design or two, too. All will be revealed at my first show of the season, and I quote:

Please join us at The Heintzman House for our Fabulous Boutique Sale
On Saturday, May 1st, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Admission $2

Exquisite jewellery, fashion accessories, fashion show, mini makeovers and massage, and much, much more from top quality vendors.

Here endeth the quote.

The $2 admission goes toward keeping the Heintzman House in good nick. It's an historic property in Thornhill, the earliest mud (adobe) house in the province. Their website indicates that it's quite beautiful, a lovely place for weddings, etc. I'm really looking forward to seeing it. I love historical houses.

They're having complimentary nibblies and a fashion show. Speaking of which...

Fashion Week

...I was invited to a Fashion Week show! David Dunkley, of KC's Hats, to whom I lend my petits mains on a regular basis, once again provided the millinery accoutrements for Pat McDonagh, the grande dame of Canadian fashion who designed the military style coat Michaelle Jean wore to greet President Obama shortly after his inauguration. The coat was very popular, and her fall/winter 2010 collection was all over it. David kindly invited me to the show. It was a Cinderella-ish moment (and I do mean moment; those shows are short!) and I had a lovely, brief time.

My old classmate Jorge was there. He's quite the scenester, it seems. Here's what he wore when I saw him:
Thanks, Jorge's blog.

My costume was rather more conservative, I'm afraid. I was even too shy to wear my latest frippery, which would have gone perfectly with my ensemble: The Garlic Pasta and Kale headpiece! Silk "pasta", rayon "kale" and gold bead "garlic". It's what's for dinner chez moi, quite frequently.

What an occasion to not check the batteries in my camera. As a result, I can only show you the sign that was on my chair. They spelled it correctly! I had to save it. Who knows when my name will be on another chair at Fashion Week?

I really liked the collection, personally. And I learn that the creator of the necklaces will be at the Heitzman House show! What a small, tangled world.

Beach Sale Beached

2009-12-17T20:38:00.003-05:00

In case anyone was planning to come to the last holiday craft sale I had booked, it's been cancelled.

401 Redux

2009-12-15T19:26:00.015-05:00

Well, it's all over. But it was great while it lasted.

The 401 Richmond Street Holiday Marketplace took place from last Thursday to last Sunday. The weather was quite kind, overall, and the traffic of visitors was excellent. Vendors are invited to participate by residents of the building. I felt very honoured to have been included.

I was pretty nervous about taking part in a sale that lasted four days straight. Long days, too, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all but the last day, so no time or inclination to make more things for the next day. But as it was, I did have enough hats and smaller fare to last throughout, without having my display look sadly diminished at the end. Good thing I began preparing for the holiday season well in advance this year! Yay, brain! Sometimes it really functions well!

Did I mention that I helped decorate the joint, too? Because I did! Under the expert supervision of Carol Greaves, set dresser by vocation, awe-inspiring accessories creator (and vintage ephemera dealer) by avocation. It was a good way to get familiar with the somewhat convoluted main floor of the building, and to collect smiles and compliments. I'm a sucker for those, I admit it.

So here are some images of this wonderful sale. Make sure you watch for it for next year. It's a great shopping experience for anyone.

Pictured, from the top:
My table
Decorated railing
Carol's table
Our tribute to Cristo. (Just because it's wrapped, you know? Like he does?)
Janet Bike Girl, rocking her new rusty bucket hat
Mary-Ann Jelonek, jams and woolies wallah
Kathie Young, Phoenix Arts Group

401 Traffic

2009-12-08T19:27:00.003-05:00

Today I spent helping to decks the halls at 401 Richmond Street. Mercifully, Carol Greaves was "lead hand" on this one. She is a film set dresser as well as a creator of lovely cuffs she sews and embellishes, plus a dealer in nifty vintage items. Naturally, I forgot my camera.

It was pretty gratifying to have so many tenants of the building say complimentary things as they passed by. It helped take the edge off the time spent away from millining. (Yes, I know it's not a word.) But the place looks great, especially our pillar tribute to Cristo. So you should all come and see it. And shop like mad while you're at it.

Holidays

2009-12-04T11:50:00.003-05:00

I've been so busy making things for the holiday craft shows I'm participating in to blog. I'm so busy I've developed calloused thumbs.

I've got hats, blocked and sewn, soft caps, embellished hairbands, fascinators and lil' tree ornaments. (Handy hostess gifts for your hattier friends.)

Please come see the fruits of my labours at any (or all) of these shows:

Saturday, Dec. 5:
Artisans' Gift Fair, Tranzac Club, 282 Brunswick Avenue (Bloor & Brunswick), noon - 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 10 - Sunday, Dec. 13:
401 Richmond Street West Holiday Marketplace
401 Richmond W. at Spadina
Thurs., Fri. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sat., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Heather

2009-11-08T20:19:00.004-05:00

We're over Hallowe'en and bracing for the holiday season, making time for remembrance.

Heather, my best-friend-since-high-school, just celebrated a significant birthday. So naturally I made her a hat. Blue has always been her colour.

Isn't she a picture?

The Milliner's New Hat

2009-10-22T15:04:00.002-04:00

It's high time I had my own felt hat, don't you think? Here it is. I recycled it from an old felt hat that cost almost nothing. Fun, no?

Still Here. Still, Here.

2009-10-18T18:57:00.002-04:00

I am and it is. My hat display is cold and lonely on Market Street, so I've bailed on it for the season. I'll go back in the spring, if they'll have me back again. I have to reapply.

Now, Christmas looms. We'll see what that means, millinerily. Right now I'm confirmed for one craft sale, Traditions of Christmas at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School in Oakville, on November 28.

I've been making hats, of course, and noodling with new ideas for hair accessories for the Christmas season. As soon as I have some photos to share, I'll post them.

In the meantime, do you want to see a photo of Chuck being adorable amongst my fabrics? Silly question. Of course you do.

Leaside

2009-09-22T15:20:00.006-04:00

Well, hark at me doing a sale on a Sunday! How unlike me! My lovely bosses David and Joanna kindly sprung me from my usual gig minding the store at Studio 998 to allow me to participate in the annual Rotary Club corn roast at Trace Manes Park last weekend. It's a dear little community fair with bouncy, climby, drivey fun for the wee ones, corn on the cob and hot dogs, and a few vendors, like moi. Joanne, a jewelry making fellow Market vendor, hipped me to it.

I ran into an old friend from another lifetime ago, Andrea Villiers. She has a pet-sitting business, and with her animal protection background, I can't think of a better person to take care of your fur children. She'll be getting into pet photography, too. Phone her at 416-421-6051.

And young Ali, hamming it up. But Pam bought the purple poorboy later.

Farewell to Summer

2009-09-22T13:59:00.008-04:00

This was really the last weekend of the summer, and once again, the weather was spectacular. A teeny nip in the air on Saturday morning, but warm enough for backyard parties later.

This was also my last Saturday for the season in the "Park" at St. Lawrence Market , the area between Front and King on the west wall of the North Market. And what a glorious send-off I had! Sheila, my friend and fellow milliner came by, as did hatty blogger Darla Sycamore, which was fun. Otherwise, I was preparing myself for a philosophical moment of accepting fortune's vagaries (i.e: sales were slow), and went in search of a consolatory pizza slice. As I did so, Scott, my best beloved, sought me out to tell me someone at my table wanted to buy four hats! So the pizza and I went flying back to find Karen, who had been by earlier, and who clearly knew a good millinery deal when she saw one. She absolutely made my day.

After next weekend (when I won't be there for once) the tents are coming down and the Saturday craft vendors who remain will be vying for the few carts on Front Street, or on Market Street, which runs south off Front on the west wall of the South Market. So please look for me in both places on nice Saturdays in October, because I'm not sure where I'll be.

From top to bottom:

Karen, day-maker

Abby, who reminded me of Kate Hudson, especially in this hat. She didn't buy it...

...which left it available for Christine, who will be taking it back to Florida with her (note to self: must start map/pin system to track millinery world domination progress...)

Rachelle, rocking her new hairband with grey flannel rosies

Sheila Moore (Hats By She) and yours truly