More is more.

There are a few ideas floating around in my head.   Plus I have to get my ass in gear for a show I'm part of.  It opens the beginning of March.  But you know, if it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done.
So.
Let me share these images of the first hat I started Sunday.  So far it's been 4.5 hours into making this guy.  It is still in progress.

This is a sketch of the idea I went with at the get go.

The Whatnots and Treasures collection really fueled this hat and the direction I'm going with the future hats. 

More is more.

You'll notice this hat had gold netting originally planned (in the sketch above).  It was working alright. But as makers of things will understand, even if it 'works' it doesn't mean it 'feels' right. 

So I swapped it out with some dainty eyelet trim.

This shirt wasn't doing much for me except making me look frump-ified. But I loved the color and gauzy fabric. So it's new job in this house is to add to the textural and color layering.

This hat has the potential (and let me state for the record: potential I am really interested in perusing...) ....but it has the potential to be 3 hats in one.  Plus it might include a detachable brooch that you could wear on clothing separately.  Currently I'm plotting how this can happen.  So this is why you see it not yet finished. Pins are dangerous things for a head to encounter:

The feather was part of a generous donation from Poochie's feathered babies(You may know Poochie from Show Daydreams).  It's been over a year since I received those beautiful feathers.  I felt afraid to use them because they are quite magnificent.

I had ideas about dying, using them individually or together as a major statement headpiece and also cutting/shaping them. I never felt brave enough to commit to an idea. The bravest I got was snipping hearts out of this single feather. But because I hadn't yet found it's purpose, it remained jaunitly perched in a lamp in the studio.  Until now!

There are a couple ways to wear the turkey feather.  as a graceful arc or as a perky swoosh.  What do you like better?

The brooch is the "Carnival of Love" Brooch in the Whatnots and Treasures collection.  I may use it in the hat, possibly create a similar feeling with a different brooch, or add more whatnots directly to the hat (in addition to a brooch).  I mean, after all, the general vibe of these is More is More.  Subtlety is not an option.

And finally, the in progress hat on a real fleshy person vs. styrofoam.  I'll keep you updated on the progress of these hats for the show.
Kisses!
~Mary