Laura's Volcano Hat

Just wanted to share a photo of the hat I made for Laura. She's such a fun person—this really suits her.

First in a line of commissions

I've been given a great assignment. I met a silly woman named Laura, and she wanted a silly hat. That's the story simplified.

A longer version would tell you about us meeting at Paradise City in Marlborough, and her telling me her sad tale of having a small head. We tried various hats on and she chose a style she liked, told me the colors she wanted, and we measured her head.

Imagine being the artist and being told, "Make me a 'volcano'* baseball cap, throw some green and purple in it and have it keep my ears warm. Other than that, it's up to you." Wow. It's so nice to be given room to be creative. It makes you want to do more, to put in the extra effort for their faith.

Now, I've already told you that she's silly. She really is. And I adore silly people. She sent me reference photos of herself in different hats. Describing them wouldn't do them justice. Suffice it to say that one of the photos was of her on a boat wearing a couple pairs of goggles, swim fins and something like a ducky pool float. But Laura is also lovely. She looks an awful lot like an old friend of mine who lives in Louisiana.

Having those photos of her really made a difference. I really had a sense of who I was making this hat for. I wish I could get this sort of thing from all the people who commission me for hats.

About a week after our first meeting she called to tell me that she found the perfect hair piece in blond and purple to be attached to her hat.

We met one more time for her to give me the hair and then I got to work. Oh, the fun I've had. I started with some sketches and in my mind I kept her practical needs rolling around in my brain while I worked. I began building her felt and trying to come up with some creative accents.

I'm looking forward to shipping it out. I know she's planning on wearing it on a trip to Canada in January. Hopefully she'll send me some pictures and I'll post them to the blog.

In the meantime, here's a picture of a Denishé *volcano hat. It's one of my best sellers. Most people pull their own hair through, but Laura doesn't have hair long enough for it, hence the hair piece.

I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Some things are just too cute

I couldn't miss the opportunity to share this video of a kid playing the ukulele.



Kids are just amazing.

People Bought Hats

People came out to the Holiday Sale and bought hats. Hopefully they had a good time, too. Makes me feel like there isn't really a recession going on. I sold just about the average of what I can sell in that time frame.

This year we had more artist vendors than ever and hope to do the same thing next year. Think about coming—first weekend in December every year.

Let me know if you need something special commissioned for yourself. I've got a bunch of people on a waiting list, but I'd be happy to add your name to it.

ArtSpace Maynard Holiday Sale

This is my last show for this year.

If you've been before, this year looks to be even better. We've got more artists than ever participating. Lots of new faces and art to be seen.

I've been working on more hats—stuff that people asked for—since Paradise City, Marlborough. Come the first day to get the best selection.

Here are the show dates and times:

Dec. 4th: 5 - 8pm
Dec. 5th: 12 - 5pm
Dec. 6th: 12 - 4pm

Here's a link to our Web site in case you need to get directions. It's easiest to park behind the building which is accessed via Concord St.

Hope to see you there!

Quick posting, my foot

This is just a quick posting. Some Denishé fans found out that I had a problem with an infection with my foot and asked that I post word of how I'm doing. We're at two months now. Still not healed, but working on it.

Thanks for all your concern. I'll keep you posted.