FELTING FOXY FLAPPER HATS





'Madeline' on Leslie




























'Madeline' ~ wet felted merino and silk
with organdy ribbon

 




















What exactly is it that is so appealing about the 1920's flapper style?  Yes, it's the pearls, short swinging dresses, dancing and bobbed hair but most of all it's the cutest little cloche hats!  I like how flapper style represented a new direction for women and a sense of individualism but it's more than that.  It also represents a unique expression of freedom, not only from 19th century pre-war conservative social mores and cumbersome, long dresses of voluminous yardage, but also freedom from not being permitted to think for one's self. Just because you were a woman.

I think of flapper style as a new directon in feminine confidence, signifying a rebellious attitude, as a result of women's emancipation and escape from restrictive, narrow gender roles.  In that role the Roaring 20's created an iconic fashion image that today, almost a century later, is still readily recognizable, delightfully feminine and full of fun.  On top of all that, you'd be hard pressed to find prettier and more flattering hats!  Everyone looks good in a cloche.  My latest felting projects decided to become flapper style as they emerged from the felting process more by accident than by design.  I''m happy with the results and plan to make more.







'Madeline' ~ front

 Fanny with Goldie's ruffled wristlets ~ hand knit
merino and silk



Maggie with 'Clara Bow' ~ wet felted merino wool



'Clara Bow' ~ side

Colour inspiration of Jeffrey's fox
~ photo by Jeffrey Denard



Jeffrey's fox was my colour inspiration for the 'Clara Bow' cloche. My friend Deb Denard's son Jeff took this amazing photo near Fort McMurray, Alberta, where he is working. This lovely little fox came very close to him.  Mr. Fox in his winter coat is a sight to behold.  I loved the rusty orange colour tinged with gray and decided to try out those colours on a hat.  I probably wouldn't have chosen to put gray and orange together if left to my own devices!  As usual, nature never disappoints and I really like the results, so thanks to Jeff and to his foxy friend! 

Here's how I did it....


Laying out orange fibre on side two of the resist. 
 You can see side one underneath, already
layed out and wet, with the gray and orange 
edges folded over for the seam. 

Side two with three layers of fibre

Adding some gray fibre to side two



Wetting with warm soapy water and rubbing the
fibre in between screening to start the
felting process



Drying by the fire. I cover the wooden hat block with
 saran to keep it dry while shaping the wet hat.



Finished with a beautiful feather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irresistible felted roses made just for the fun
of making something so pretty









Made from merino wool and silk

TRYING ON HATS AT 'BUSY HANDS'!

Alex in Queen of Hearts



Fifty vendors setting up on Friday...

All the 'Busy Hands' fun is over until next year, but what a great weekend it was!  So nice to see old and new friends and experience the excitement of this outstanding show and sale one more time.  I think the highlight for me each year is the true appreciation people express for the sellers and the fruits of their creative endeavors.  It's very nice to have all your hard work recognized and to see happy shoppers milling about with their bags full of special treasures.

I really enjoy watching the never ending trying on of hats, especially the flamboyant ones!  Even the dogs get in on this action.  I love to do a bit of shopping myself and each year I find unique and special things for gifts along with varied and delectable food items including bread, baking, preserves, veggies and even vegan chocolate! 

So now...it's time for a rest and a think about what's sold and what to make next...hmmm!






Alex in Airie Fairie




Issie is a hat girl...with boots to match!



A 1920's Kato



Cath...not sure about this one!

Kate...very sure about this one



Diane in Gray Owl



Kate in Shakespeare



Mimi in a pill box



Lucy who simply loves hats

Sage...ready for Valentine's Day!



Sharon finding just the right hat



Alex really suiting this hat



Helen and her happy new hat






Cath...sure about this one

Lovely Lucy

Carol Ann in Pink Me Up

From the back!



Cake~Tin Hats display



Cake~Tin Hats at Busy Hands 2012

Hats do grow on trees!

GETTING READY FOR 'BUSY HANDS'

'Gray Owl' ~ wet felted

'Gray Owl' ~ top

This beautiful Barred Owl appeared in my backyard
 and was the inspiration for 'Gray Owl' above

Just now I am madly getting ready for 'Busy Hands' which takes place next weekend  on December 8th and 9th, in Picton.  This is where I sell all things Cake~Tin.  This means a last minute flurry of finishing, tagging and cataloguing all items along with packing up display items...and remembering not to forget anything!  I really look forward to this Christmas Gift and Craft sale every December. 


'Busy Hands', presented by Vicki's Veggies and Honey Pie Hives and Herbals at our local Books & Co. store, is a riot of colour and joyful people featuring 50 local artisans all making a fabulous variety of hand made things. As Vicki says...having so many  people all living and creating together in Prince Edward Couny doesn't happen on such a local scale in very many places. It's like a giant party where everything is for sale! 


I think this is because there is such an appreciation in our community for fair trade, hand made goods which is a reflection of the changing nature of production and consumption.  I see this as part of the emerging 'slow' culture movement that began with food and has extended itself to the art of making things. Many of the sellers at 'Busy Hands' are people who make their living with their craft and it's very evident that they love what they do.  Here you can buy someone special a meaningful, hand crafted gift that will last and be remembered instead of twelve cheap, mass produced items from Walmart that will soon be forgotten. 


See you at 'Busy Hands'!

'Dr. Suess' ~ kid size hand knit

Single colourful wrist cuffs ~ hand knit merino & silk

Accordion' wristlets ~ hand knit and edged
with sari silk ribbon

Blue pairs of ruffled wristlets ~ hand knit merino & silk

Ruffled wristlets ~ hand knit

'Fair Isle & Feathers' ~ kid size hand knit



Patch work scarf ~ made from up-cycled,
felted sweaters

Patch work scarf ~ made from up-cycled,
felted cashmere sweaters

Sheila's wristlets ~ hand knit alpaca and wool

Wrist cuff