Everything you see in my shop has been made by hand, by me in my cozy Cleveland, Ohio studio.
I use a mix of traditional millinery methods and materials with a modern twist.
Every feather pad is built from scratch, which means cutting the base (millinery buckram or wool-rayon felt) and carefully glueing every feather. I don't use modern, commercially made feather pads.
I use a nontoxic water-soluable flexible glue. It is better for me (no getting "mad as a hatter" off toxic fumes), better for the piece (less chance of it getting brittle or discolored with age) and better for you!
All pieces are stitched and glued. I use high-quality thread to ensure that the piece you are purchasing will last for years as an heirloom.
From silk rosettes to hand-beading, I adore making the final touches that can't be shop bought! I have a vast store of vintage beads, rhinestones and sequins as well as high-quality modern trims from France, Italy, Japan and India. Many of my beaded trims are from the late 1800s to the 1950s and I often reinforce them with hand stitching.
When I create, the pieces I make are meant to last beyond this year's fashion trend or whim. True, you may be able to find a similar "look" in a chain store or elsewhere but a look alone lacks what my pieces have: the hand of the artist who created it.
~*~ About My Materials ~*~
I purchase feathers in bulk and select the best to use in my fascinators. If I can't source a particular color, I'll dye them myself in small batches.
Usually my feathers are vintage (at least 30 years old or older) or antique (at least 70 years or older). I strongly believe in recycling and "waste not, want not." I also love the variations in vintage feathers and and feel a little bit of wear adds charm to my creations.
When using modern feathers, I strive to source ethically sourced feathers from happy birds, raised by family producers. As a bird lover (my beloved Chaos is the official shop avatar!) and a vegetarian/sometime vegan, I can't use materials from factory farmed animals. In a form of recycling, I don't object to using feathers, quills and bones so long as I know they came from an animal who lived well and died naturally. I hope my pieces do honor to that animal's life. Ethics and beauty do not have to be mutually exclusive and I continue to search for the best blend of both.
Often my fabrics are designer surplus. Generally they are 100% silk, though I do use small quantities of silk blends if the fabric is a suitably high quality. If I can't find a particular color, I dye the silk myself to coordinate with the rest of the trims.
Sometimes I find trims that are still being made in the old style and standards. Where I have used a commercial trim, I will let you know! I also use commercial millinery and non-millinery foundations when I've found them to be high-quality and cost effective.
Still have questions? Ask away! I enjoy talking about my craft and welcome inquiries.
Thank you for reading all this!
XOXO,
Crankypants