New custom order finished!

Just finished a new custom order - check 'er out!

I LOVE the new bleached curly peacock swords!

This lady sent me swatches for her wardrobe of kirtles and jackets, all of which had been carefully crafted to be what I call "Elizeranimalized." (Elizabethan Garanimals? Get it?

Never heard of Garanimals? You're too young, forget it. Assume that I meant that her historical clothing wardrobe is beautifully and carefully coordinated.)

It's always a little tough to make a hat that goes perfectly with several changes of outfits, yet it is a common request. If I just stick all the colors in there, it gets kindof non-cohesive and sloppily designed, and

I'm not so thrilled with putting my label on that.

I feel like this one, however, will cover all bases, and came out looking quite nice all by herself!

Now I  just hope she loves it too :)

great customer photo

Two friends from Texas, looking extra groovy in their Truly hats.

Thanks for sending!!

Straw Cavalier hat finished!!

It's finished! Looks pretty spiff, if I dare say so.

As always, click make bigger

I LOVE these cockades. I know I go on about them a lot, but come ON, aren't they amazing? I can make a fabulous, color coordinated focal point to go with ANYTHING now. I replaced the little pink organza flower in the center with a hand cast pewter stud with a Tudor rose on it. Something about those little plastic beads in the center of the flower were just not ok.

 Top view of the straw.

 And the ties that the customer requested to tie underneath her hair to keep the hat on in the wind. She wants to wear this in a sailing regatta at the end of October, and it needs to STAY ON. I tried them out - it really works well!

I sure do wish there were an easy-to-understand guide to shipping custom made straw hats to Australia.
I have to look up my exemption code every time. Everytime. Hm - maybe I could note it here for future reference.

NOEEI 30.37(a) value below $2500.00
Must hand deliver to the Post Office or schedule a pickup - don't just drop it in the box

Pink/silver cockade for the straw cavalier hat

Lookie Lookie.

(Click make big)

It's a lighter pink in person, with a silver grey cockade on top and an organza flower centerpiece, which I'm thinking I'm going to need to glue on for best effect. (drat-we hates glue!) It's not stitched down to the crinoline yet, but is sortof pinned out to show the design concept.

I need to go send her this by email too. Hope she loves it :)

Just ordered some new feathers!

Check em out - Bleached peacock swords!

I can't wait to see how these look. I love the natural colored peacock swords, and what I can do with them. My only issue is that the only come in one color - peacock color. These are pretty exciting, especially since I just also ordered an assortment of cream, tan, beige, rust, peach, bone, ivory, eggshell colored ostrich feathers. Amazing how fast I run out of things, and how exciting new supplies can be.

My favorite Willie photo

P1000524, a photo by Trulinor on Flickr.

My favorite shot.

Pockets!

P1000527, a photo by Trulinor on Flickr.

Willie's favorite part of the whole outfit - Pockets!