Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all. Hope you all have a great year!

Happy Holidays to all!

The aforementioned hats were a hit. Sis didn't realize, at first, that skulls were printed all over her hat. She thought it was just a "nice print". However, once the skulls were recognized, she declared that she'd never take off her hat!

Beloved nephew also liked his fedora. And it looks good on him. 

Woo hoo!

Dec. 23 Millinery

Wow! Christmas is day after tomorrow! But I, Inspired Millinery, am on top of the gift-giving part of the holiday!

My sis loves skulls and I found a fantastic wool felt hat body from Leko printed with skulls! Absolutely perfect! I blocked it on my cloche block and added a grosgrain sham bow for a bit of executive lady style! She probably won't wear it, but I certainly had lots of fun making it and can't wait to see her reaction when she opens it!

For beloved nephew, a sophisticated lad soon to graduate college, I made a fedora. Now there was a challenge! The third time was most definitely a charm with this hat. The first two attempts had to be consigned to the scrap drawer (to be used in some way at a later date), but I learned from my mistakes. The final attempt was a success, though several times through the process I thought that I might have another candidate for the scrap drawer! Yesterday, I put the outside grosgrain ribbon around the completed hat and added a bit of wild turkey (not the beverage) feather to the band. Cool! It looks better than any I've seen in the stores!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all from Inspired Millinery.

suppliers of millinery items

To the best of my knowledge, there are only two millinery supply companies left in the United States. If I'm correct, both of them seem to be owned by women.  I know for certain that JudithM, in northern Indiana, is owned by a woman - Judith. Her service, communication and products are great. I've also ordered from Leko on the west coast and have been satisfied with the products I purchased.

Yet more millinery

It doesn't appear that I will get to work on my Spring line today, but I'm going to work on getting my bio and resume ready to send out with press releases. 

I remember my grandmother always wearing a hat. She had longish, lovely white hair and wore it in a bun or twist when I was younger. She'd come to our house, sit down at the dining table to visit, and reach up to remove the hat pin anchoring the smallish hat to her head. The pin went into the hat and through the bun. Since the pin didn't have a point protector, I wonder if she ever accidentally poked herself! Removing the hat pin and the hat and then reversing the process before she left was such a feminine gesture.

Dec. 11, 2008

I (Inspired Millinery) was checking out of an appointment yesterday when the receptionist complimented me on my hat. I told her that it wasn't one that I'd made, but one which my nephew had given me a few years ago. Another person in the office told the receptionist that I made hats. Now the receptionist wants to view my portfolio at my next visit because her family is involved in the arts! And another person in the office told me that she has contacts in my area!

Woo Hoo for easy networking!

Dec. 10, 2008

First day for my Inspired Millinery blog! 

I make hats the traditional, "old-fashioned" way. I love making them, wearing them, and selling them.

I will return at a later date to talk more about hats!