A Hat Parade

I've been trying to carve out a path in my studio/craft room/dungeon so I can at least walk to my computer and back. It's gotten bad in there, girls. It's borderline dangerous. Things are falling from shelves and hitting me in the head. There are mountains of boxes, packing peanuts, tulle, paperwork (by the grace of God I got my taxes done this year), seam binding and far too many millinery flowers. I've got to get it cleaned and organized before George comes home from work and finds me stuck behind a fallen tower of Priority Mail boxes one of these days.

 

This weekend I took the first step. Well, the first step is admitting I have a problem. (and I do.) The second step is picking a place to start and actually starting. So, I started with the hats. I have old hats everywhere and still want to get them hung on the wall to free up precious shelf space. As I piled them all on the kitchen counter, I figured I might as well snap some photos to share with you here. They look so much prettier when they're not in amongst a disaster area! I placed each one on a cake plate since they remind me of fancy frou frou cakes.

 

Velvet berries are always a good thing (and I've actually got some berries to list in the shop soon).

 

Bought this one for $5.

 

Velvet strawberries. A favorite, of course. $10...no kidding! And I would've paid $80!

 

These enormous blooms are just begging to be taken off and used in art or shared with friends.

 

More scrumptious velvet berries.

 

I don't usually do too much blue, but I liked this one a lot. Nice floppy roses.

 

Pretty in white.

Tons of roses with velvet petals here.

Delicate strawberries. Lovely.

It's hard to resist pink velvet ribbon this wide!

Fun, flirty carnations.

Soft pretty whites.

More velvet berries.....this time in blue.

A very sweet hat that probably belonged to a young girl. My mom said older women wouldn't have usually worn a hat like this. I can't believe she didn't keep any of her flowered hats from the 60s!

Tattered and lovely.

Velvet pansies. This was one of the first hats I ever bought. I got it at the big flea market on 27th Street in NYC when I was in college. Sadly, I heard that flea is no longer there. It was fabulous.

This is loaded with miniature flowers studded with faux rhinestones.

The floppiest and most ready-to-fall-apart hat in the collection. One of my very favorites.

This elegant cloche hat was my Grandma's. I found it at the top of her closet when I was over there visiting last year. (note to my Grandma, who really does read my blog: Hi Grandma! Thank you again for the lovely hat. I will cherish it because I know you once wore it. Got anymore hiding in that house? Love to you and Grandpa. See you soon! ~ Andrea)

And finally, white flowers and puff balls. I keep this one in the foyer up on a bookshelf with some other white ones.

That concludes the hat parade! Hope you enjoyed the show. Sadly, they are all still sitting on my kitchen counter. I'm trying to figure out a proper way to display such lovely relics. Any suggestions?

On a different note, thank you for all the love on my previous post. You guys know how to cheer a girl right up. Thank you for your support. I am feeling much better and now I don't have to make a voodoo doll of the evil commenter and stick it with corsage pins. It's all good.

Comments

[Wendy]

Those are very pretty!! I really like the blue ones.

Wendy

[Sandi]

Such GORGEOUS hats! I too have a hat collection , but not near as many and I am afraid they are a dying breed at least around here. I am overjoyed when I find a gorgeous old hat with flowers! Love reading your blog and sighing over your pretties!
Blessings!
Sandi

[Sandi]

Such GORGEOUS hats! I too have a hat collection , but not near as many and I am afraid they are a dying breed at least around here. I am overjoyed when I find a gorgeous old hat with flowers! Love reading your blog and sighing over your pretties!
Blessings!
Sandi

[Leah C.]

Your hat collection is just incredible! Each one is sooooo lovely...if you're looking for a home for any of them, give me a call;) Have a happy day, Andrea!

[stacy]

the 27th street flea market was my most favorite place in the world,now its down in the meat packing district!

[psmullican]

What a fantastic collection, Andrea! Thanks for sharing it with us. Glad you're back-you were missed.

[Alice]

I am in total amazement. What a absolutely gorgeous hat collection you have. I'm so envious. I've wanted to collect hats for along time, but just never have gotten started. I can see by your beautiful photo's that it can become quite addictive.

Your collection is stunning!

[debbie]

oh my... i died and went to vintage hat heaven =) i am in serious "envy" - i ADORE vintage hats but very rarely find any as pretty as yours. debbie =)

[Ruth]

Wow! Wouldn't we all love to come help you clean up your craft room!! The hats are beauties! Welcome back and thank you for not letting one bad apple ruin it for the rest of us who are so inspired by your lovely blog and store. I will continue to keep your friends and family in my prayers.
xxoo ruth

[Freda]

I love the floppiest one too!! I have died with your hats and want to steal all of them!! hehe.....

[Charmingdesigns]

I have NEVER seen so many beautiful hats with flowers!!! awsome! Laurie

[Roxie]

Hi Andrea. I've just found your blog and am having the time of my life pouring over all your photos. The hats are making me drool big time! My fave is the blue floppy rose one.

[Ele at A bit of Pink Heaven]

You lucky, lucky, girl! You have the most amazing collection I have ever seen!!! Some true beauties!

[Jeanne]

Andrea, these hats look like scrumptious floral cakes! Love every single one of them!!!
xo
jeanne

[Sandy]

Those hats look like they're made from fresh flowers! Thanks for showing them to us and I hope you'll have luck with organizing your space!

Sandyxoxo

[tiffany]

what an absolutely spectacular collection!!!!! What about hanging them on a wall in an entry or your bedroom?
xo, tiffany

[Rosemary]

Hi Andrea,
Wow, amazing collection!!
I really enjoyed looking at all of the beautiful hats.
Good luck with all of the organizing.
Rosemary

[Melissa]

Oooh! I love them all! Your Grandma's is the best though. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have an old snapshot with her wearing it? BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for sharing!

[Sarah Keith]

ooooh! My favorite is the carnation and the first blue one you showed! Lovely!

[Kathy]

WOW what a collection,just Beautiful. I use to collect hats then I stopped don't know why. But I didn't have as many hats as you do and I sure didn't have any as beautiful as your's.

Kathy

[Pipsqueak Couture]

Oh I was going to tell you that flea market in NYC is still there but Catherine beat me to the punch! I was there a few months back and got some fab lace things for my baby's room! Your hats are beautiful...I love the velvet berries on them! My back room at my shop sounds much the same as your studio! I literally have boxes of lace and ribbons and flowers stacked to the ceiling and the room is 300 sq. feet! xo Shannon

[jen]

Those are just gorgeous, I love the white strawberries and the miniature flower ones.

[Periwinkle Vintage]

Okay, in my opinion, you win the prize for Best Hat Collection Ever!! They are unbelievably beautiful. Thanks for going to all the work of photographing them for us!
Cheryl

[laurie]

I can't believe how many amazing hats you have! I would love to see photos of the woman that actually wore them way back when. Thanks for sharing.

[Cambria]

Wow!
I love your hat parade!
I also love your blog! I am 12, and I just started a blog myself. I have also started an ETSY site where I sell my handmade jewelry. I would love it if you came and visited my blog sometime!
http://www.jewelryqueens.blogspot.com/