May Day

If it's this hot in May, what, pray tell, might we anticipate for July? Plenty of demand for wide-brimmed hats, I bet. That was the message I was getting from the many visitors to my St. Lawrence Market table yesterday.

The Market was bursting with activity on the first really gorgeous Saturday of the season, including a festive interlude with a wedding party towards the end of the afternoon. Beautiful saris, a resplendent groom and a jolly band, in the shadow of St. Lawrence Hall.

It was also the weekend for Doors Open, so lots of visitors poring over the historical buildings open for exploration. A friend dropped by to share his photos taken from the belfry of St. James Cathedral behind us. Pretty darn cool!

(Did I ever tell you that I once tolled the noonday bell at St. James Cathedral on Christmas Day? Because I did.)
Jean is taking this hat and silk flower home to Newfoundland, to keep off the sun as she tools around in her little red convertible. I love it!










Jessica and Beth, gracing two of my hairbands.










Marjolaine, who modeled this band because it went so well with her beautiful eyes.






Jane, who was a milliner in Vancouver. It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow hatmaker. She's also a fine painter.






Amanda, a young lady who really looks good in green.






















Wedding festivities. 'Tis the season! The more, the merrier!

Kelly's With the Band

Kelly Aija Zemnickis, aka KAZ, who bought the spriggy headband yesterday, kindly dropped me a line. She wore it to Conan O'Brien's show last night. Her band was a hit, and even drew a compliment from the comedian who opened.

And here I go, shamelessly telling you all this. Please forgive me.

KAZ tells me she's a playwright. One of her works is off to the Minnesota Fringe Festival this year. I love her works' titles. They are amusing, intriguing and make me want to know more. Judge for yourself.

Here's the photo Kelly sent me. Who's a pretty girl?

Victoria's Rain

It's Victoria Day Weekend and we're celebrating her reign with precipitation. Not thunderously, just drippily. Cottages and gardens claimed their share of the population, but at St. Lawrence Market we bravely soldiered on regardless. Thank goodness for our tents! When it rained we just pulled our table under and stayed dry, and open for business.

Many visitors to our table today, starting with Ella, who was in her pajamas. She made a beeline for the coral hat and flower, the latter of which her mum kindly bought for her. Such a shy child; I do wish she'd come out of her shell just a bit.










This is Daryl. The man knows how to wear a hat and how to look at life.
















Eric, Megan and Cameron. Pretty cute, for children.




Lauren. Girl fashionista. Takes after her mum.





















Lindsey, who's taking this black and white embroidered hat to live in Dallas.








Kelly, who's taking this embellished hairband to see Conan O'Brien's show. Wee!












This young lady's braces match this hat's ribbons. How fun is that?

I'm Baaaaack!

It seems like I've been waiting forever to get my spring/summer sales season underway at St. Lawrence Market. But now I'm back ! Finally!

It was not the sunny, warm day that was promised (I'm lookin' at you, CTV News and the Toronto Star), but it did not rain, and that was the main part. The foot traffic was about what you'd expect on such a day. Nevertheless, I had a most encouraging start and my work cut out for next week (well, as soon as I actually cut it out).

It was good to see other vendor friends from last year and meet some new ones. I have a nice spot near Front Street, right beside the fountain, which should be my perch for the next several weeks. So come on down and tell your hat-loving friends, too!

The pooch at the top of this post is Bruno. 10 weeks old. Cutest. Thing. Ever. Let me pick him up and kissed me and kissed me. I was a goner.


Em, left, and her twin sister Jessica, who's having me make her a black wide-brimmed hat like the green one she's modeling. Em bought the water resistant bucket hat she's wearing.








France bought this ecru brocade trilby, my newest design, to keep the sun off her face while she sells her adorable knitted children's caps.

Alert the Media!

Look what Vaughan Weekly chose to print of the no doubt many photos they took at Heintzman House last Saturday! I'm so chuffed I could die. Thanks, Michael!

Did I mention the photo is also on the front cover this week? Because it's on the front cover this week.

Heintzman House Boutique Sale

My spring hat season was off to a great start last weekend. On Saturday Heintzman House was bustling (which is not really supposed to be a 19th century costume reference, but what the heck). Ladies of all ages and a few good men hummed through the house, fortified with complimentary coffee and cookies, doing some spring shopping with vendors of many ilks sprinkled throughout, to benefit the house's ongoing preservation and refurbishment.

The historic Thornhill property is beautiful and intriguing. Ontario's first mud (adobe) house! Since 1817! My indispensable right-hand man Scott and I were shown a piece of this under a movable panel in the front parlour. Techno-nerd that he is, Scott also found an old intercom in a room next on the list for refurbishment. We hope it stays. It's so cool!

Auxiliary ladies modeled spring fashions throughout the house. Thank you to those who borrowed pieces from me to top off their looks!

We had many visitors to our display and two charming roommates in our second-floor eyrie -- Wendy and Inna, jewelery makers both. A long but very pleasant day, all in all, in gorgeous surroundings.

Thank you to Sabina Margitta and the ladies of the auxiliary.




Maya in the gold hat, Naomi in the blue, and their mums.











Olivia tried on just about everything. Here she is in a small selection.








































Where did Sarah go?






There she is!









Dorit looking quite fab.